Bamboo: Alternative source of livelihood

TURA, AUG 29: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma on Monday said that the state has embarked on a special task to mitigate climate change and provide alternative livelihood through bamboo plantation.

A total of 5,92,800 bamboo plants were distributed and planted across the 39 blocks of the state today. The chief minister was present at two development blocks in Garo hills – at Betasing in South West Garo Hills and at Selsella in West Garo Hills.

At the official mass launching programme at Gongglangre, near Garobadha under Selsella Development block, the chief minister instilled confidence amongst the farmers that bamboo plantation will bring about a turnaround and boost green economy.

“Bamboo is integral part of the tribal way of life in Northeast. It is an ambitious programme of the government to regenerative vegetative and green cover vis-à-vis provide an alternative source of livelihood to the people”, he said.

He elaborately spoke about bamboo and its product, which has huge market in the country. He said that India has shortfall in bamboo production, which has compelled companies to import bamboo from countries like Cambodia and Thailand.

“Bamboo is not new to Garo hills and Meghalaya. People have engaged in bamboo plantation, which is grown in wild. A scientific approach towards bamboo will not only provide high quality bamboo but will also provide avenues for remunerative returns”, the chief minister emphasised.

Detailing facts that multi-national giant ITC imports bamboo sticks in a single month to the tune of Rs. 30 crore from Cambodia, Mukul pitched that Meghalaya can fill the space and grab the opportunity. “ITC imports bamboo sticks for production of agarbati (incense sticks) which are made in Dhubri and finally packaged in Bangalore,” he said.

The stories give us a hope and a market space that bamboo plantation will generate opportunities for farmers in their backyard”, he stressed.

The chief minister informed that Meghalaya has inked an agreement with IIT-Guwahati for designing equipment for processing of bamboo sticks in the state, which will be made available to all blocks of the state.

He also spoke at length on various products, which can be made with bamboo including anti-ageing cream, activate bamboo charcoal, vinegar, which has huge demand in the national as well as international market.

The saplings are being provided free-of-cost to the interested farmers in the rural areas on convergence mode with MG-NREGS. “The government has conceptualized the programme considering the international phenomenon of climate change and measures to mitigate it”, the chief minister stated.

He also stated that the bamboo plantation would provide better hydrology for restoring water sources in Garo hills and the state as a whole.

He also informed that Meghalaya – Arunachal Pradesh – Nagaland and Assam has inked an agreement with NRLM for setting up of bio-oil unit. “10 per cent ethanol extracted from bamboo can be used with petrol for vehicular use”, he said.

He informed that Rs. 3000 crore is expected to be earned out of this agreement, which will boost revenue for the state and in turn help the farmers, who would be engaged in bamboo plantation.-From Our Correspondent