ITANAGAR, March 10 – Bamboo or the poor man’s timber, as its is called emotionally, is poised for bringing about a revolution in Arunachal Pradesh in particular and the North East in general, claimed Dr S N Hegde, director Arunachal Pradesh State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) in an exclusive interview here Sunday.
Mentioning that the North East Region has the largest bamboo resource and holds a unique bamboo culture, Dr Hedge cited the Apatani bamboo cultivation and management of plantation which has already gained acclaim the world over.“This poor man’s timber comes in the life of the indigenous people from cradle to grave in very many ways. With the recent shift from timber to non timber products like bamboo by world consumers the time has come for us to tap the vast resources available to us, which is much more ecofriendly too,” he said.
Arunachal Pradesh incidentally has the largest biodiversity in bamboos. The SFRI has documented nearly sixty species of bamboos in the state, which also includes the cultivated ones. It is in this state there is still scope to find new species, as much of its area still lie unexplored. SFRI which has worked in the bamboo sector for past two decades has rich experience and expertise in the field of bamboo taxonomy, propagation, genetic improvement and conservation. This institute has the largest living collection of bamboos in the region under its bambusetum at Chessa. For the first ever organised genetic improvement programme on bamboos was started in Arunachal Pradesh by SFRI. Its germplasm banks at Chessa have superior clones for seven economically important species including the Jati, Boluka, Mokal and Bijuli bamboo.SFRI is also successful in introducing the Chinese ‘Moso’ (Phyllostachys pubescens) bamboo at Yachuli. This bamboo is the basic raw material that has revolutionized the rural economy of China. The much sought after international edible bamboo––Dendrocalamus as per from Thailand has also been successfully introduced to the state.Under the UNDP/DC(H) cane and bamboo project the SFRI has taken up establishment of demonstration plots at different locations. To create awareness SFRI has conducted training at different places. A bamboo propagation manual, which explains the recent methods of propagation, was published for the benefit of the farmers and filed staff. The institute also released a video CD on bamboo propagation techniques.SFRI proposes to showcase their achievements and the immense potential of bamboo in the state and try to hook national and international attention to Arunachal Pradesh.It worth mentioning at this juncture that the state government and the Department of Environment and Forests and Department of Textiles are promoting bamboo sector. Some NGOs like the Nani Sala Foundation in Ziro are also active in this promising area. Arunachal Pradesh Forest Corporation Ltd plans to convert its plywood factory to bamboo-based unit. The Khadi and Village Industry Commission is also venturing to take up bamboo-based cottage industries, informed Dr Hegde.
BAMTECH-2003 : The Arunachal Pradesh State Forest Research Institute is participating in the BAMTECH-2003 being organised at Guwahati during March 11 to 13 next, according to an information.The event is being organised by the UNIDO Cane & Bamboo Technology Centre and various other national and international organisations.
This international festival will be attended by eminent scientists and experts who will share their experience in transforming the economy of countries using bamboo as the main resource. It will showcase the recent technological advancements in propagation, industrial tools, highvalue products, etc. Although, India with over 54% of bamboo growing area in the world is yet to make a mark in the international field, this indicates the immense scope India holds for the future.