Zeliang suggests scientific approach to exploit vast ‘backyard resource’

World Bamboo Day observed in Dimapur Staff Reporter Dimapur, Sep. 18 (EMN): Chief Minister TR Zeliang on Monday stressed on the need to “re-orient our approach” to bamboo and explore means to ‘scientifically exploit’ its vast reserve in the Northeast states. “Our outlook on bamboo and its uses still remain largely traditional, localised and unorganised. We therefore need to re-orient our approach especially in the light of the fact that our region is home to almost 60% of the country’s bamboo reserves,” he said while addressing the World Bamboo Day celebration at Nagaland Bamboo Research Centre (NBRC), Dimapur. This year, the Northeast states have converged at NBRC, Dimapur to observe the event together. “With availability of raw materials just by our backyard, if scientifically exploited with required back-up support, I am confident that it will not only provide gainful employment to many but will also go a long way in giving us the much needed boost to the economy of the region. “For all these to come to fruition, we will have to continue to look forward to the ministry of DoNER and the NEC for providing us the required technical, financial and proactive (interventional) support,” the chief minister shared. Nagaland, he said, have made ‘laudable strides in the development of bamboo as a resource’ since becoming the first state in the country to adopt a bamboo policy way back in 2004. “Yet the fact still remains that much more needs to be done.” Some of those ‘needs’, he pointed out, include studying bamboo species and identifying its appropriate uses; rationalisation of the huge existing technological gaps and adaptation of appropriate technology for processing the unique Indian bamboo; providing market linkage, ensuring steady and reliable supply of raw materials; and pooling in of ideas and experiences, including participation by foreign, Indian and other institutional donors and experts. “Another important area is that of processing of harvested bamboo. The government of India, through the ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Tribal Affairs and by involving other international agencies can play a key role as part of programme convergence. “Adoption of the concept of cluster formation at the village level with fiscal support by way of providing financial incentives or supplying improved machineries could be thought of here,” Zeliang suggested. He was also grateful to the DoNER ministry for deciding to upgrade the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency as Regional Bamboo Research Centre (RBRC), and congratulated it for ‘successfully charting out the roadmap for the formation’ of North East Bamboo Development Council. “The most challenging task for the newly christened RBRC would be in meeting the demands for providing expert advice and guidance on all matters relating to bamboo development, envisioning development of cane and bamboo, research and conception of innovative and tangible action plans and making NBRC truly a centre of excellence,” the chief minister observed. Naveen Verma, Secretary DoNER, was the guest of honour during the event. Two technical sessions followed the inaugural event.