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Our Correspondent
Imphal, Sep. 18 (EMN): The World Bamboo Day (WBD) is widely celebrated in Manipur since 2019, considering the amazing qualities of bamboo which can be used as a biofuel, food and for architecture and construction applications.
Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) in collaboration with Manipur State Bamboo Mission, South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SABF) and North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), celebrated World Bamboo Day at Imphal on Sunday.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, Dr RK Ranjan Singh, IBSD director Prof. Pulok K Mukherje, principal secretary and mission director (State Bamboo Mission), SS Chhabra, chief executive officer Kamesh Salam of SABF and others were present during the WBD celebration at IBSD premises in Imphal.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union minister emphasised on exploring bamboo diversity and scientific interventions for developing products/ processes and improving the socio-economic status of the region while IBSD director highlighted research initiatives for the development of bioresources and boosting the bioeconomy of the region. He mentioned about the research work being done using bamboo bioresources of the region.
Highlighting the story of World Bamboo Day, importance of bamboo and its uses, Kamesh Salam of SABF called upon the Government of India to treat bamboo as a commodity like tea, coffee, rubber and coconut.
He also requested United Nations to recognise WBD and help foster its sustainable development goals while principal secretary Chhabra highlighted various initiatives of the mission to promote bamboo in the state.
Speakers from different countries including Ming (Jack) Huang of Taiwan’s National Chung Cheng University, Mark Sultan Bambuhay of Philippines, Bernice Dapaah, Ghana and Marco Piazza from Bangkok joined the celebration online and shared their initiatives to celebrate WBD. The programme was also attended by scientists, researchers, IBSD staff and SABF including local entrepreneurs.
The Bamboo Development Promotion Organisation and Bamboo Forum of India Manipur chapter also celebrated WBD by organising 3-day Wa-Bamboo exhibition at GM Hall in Imphal. The state Urban Development minister Y Khemchand and chairman of Manipur State Minorities Commission, Md Anwar Hussain, were present on the concluding day of the exhibition-cum-WBD observation.
Biodiversity, Ecology and Environment Network Manipur, popularly known as BeNet also observed the WBD by organising bamboo plantation programmes at Sangaithel area in the outskirts of Imphal.
India, which is the second largest producer of bamboo in the world, continues to import huge amounts of incense sticks from Vietnam and China due to lack of knowledge on commercial cultivation of bamboo species.
Around 10 bamboo species including Saneibi, Khok, Watang, Maribob species out of 51 bamboo species found in Manipur are suitable for housing purposes and other species are fit for walling etc.
North Eastern states contribute 54 percent of India’s bamboo production.
Manipur celebrates World Bamboo Day
Our Correspondent
Imphal, Sep. 18 (EMN): The World Bamboo Day (WBD) is widely celebrated in Manipur since 2019, considering the amazing qualities of bamboo which can be used as a biofuel, food and for architecture and construction applications.
Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) in collaboration with Manipur State Bamboo Mission, South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SABF) and North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), celebrated World Bamboo Day at Imphal on Sunday.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, Dr RK Ranjan Singh, IBSD director Prof. Pulok K Mukherje, principal secretary and mission director (State Bamboo Mission), SS Chhabra, chief executive officer Kamesh Salam of SABF and others were present during the WBD celebration at IBSD premises in Imphal.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union minister emphasised on exploring bamboo diversity and scientific interventions for developing products/ processes and improving the socio-economic status of the region while IBSD director highlighted research initiatives for the development of bioresources and boosting the bioeconomy of the region. He mentioned about the research work being done using bamboo bioresources of the region.
Highlighting the story of World Bamboo Day, importance of bamboo and its uses, Kamesh Salam of SABF called upon the Government of India to treat bamboo as a commodity like tea, coffee, rubber and coconut.
He also requested United Nations to recognise WBD and help foster its sustainable development goals while principal secretary Chhabra highlighted various initiatives of the mission to promote bamboo in the state.
Speakers from different countries including Ming (Jack) Huang of Taiwan’s National Chung Cheng University, Mark Sultan Bambuhay of Philippines, Bernice Dapaah, Ghana and Marco Piazza from Bangkok joined the celebration online and shared their initiatives to celebrate WBD. The programme was also attended by scientists, researchers, IBSD staff and SABF including local entrepreneurs.
The Bamboo Development Promotion Organisation and Bamboo Forum of India Manipur chapter also celebrated WBD by organising 3-day Wa-Bamboo exhibition at GM Hall in Imphal. The state Urban Development minister Y Khemchand and chairman of Manipur State Minorities Commission, Md Anwar Hussain, were present on the concluding day of the exhibition-cum-WBD observation.
Biodiversity, Ecology and Environment Network Manipur, popularly known as BeNet also observed the WBD by organising bamboo plantation programmes at Sangaithel area in the outskirts of Imphal.
India, which is the second largest producer of bamboo in the world, continues to import huge amounts of incense sticks from Vietnam and China due to lack of knowledge on commercial cultivation of bamboo species.
Around 10 bamboo species including Saneibi, Khok, Watang, Maribob species out of 51 bamboo species found in Manipur are suitable for housing purposes and other species are fit for walling etc.
North Eastern states contribute 54 percent of India’s bamboo production.