IMPHAL, April 4 � Made in Manipur bamboo bicycles will be exhibited in the forthcoming 9th World Bamboo Congress in Begium�s Antwerp city next week.
�We are planning to exhibit our bamboo bicycles which were developed in the ongoing workshop,� said Kamesh Salam, Founder and Executive Director of South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SABF). �We have potential to develop bamboo bicycles which are the best selling items in Manipur after Bata shoes.�
Kamesh was speaking to the media on the third day of the �Bamboo Fabrication Demonstration and Workshop� held at the Manipur Cycle Club (MCC) here on Tuesday.
The workshop will conclude tomorrow and aims to produce five prototype �Wa-Cycle� (bamboo cycles) for the first time in the country to promote employment generation projects besides propagating a healthier and pollution less environment.
The success of such projects in African countries and other developing countries encouraged us to replicate such models in India, he said. �Bamboo being the fastest growing plant fiber on Earth is appropriate for bicycle for its high strength and low weight rather than hardwoods and will help forests recover,� he added.
The Khok-wa (Thyrsostachys oliveri), found in Manipur�s Chandel and Churachandpur areas bordering Myanmar and the Kanakias-Bah (Bambusa affinis), another variety in Tripura�s Kalapara area have the resilience to replace bicycle�s main frame instead of aluminum or steel. Bambusa affinis is also used for making javelin and angling rods. The complete bicycle would be assembled using other bicycle parts from cycle manufacturers in India at substantially lower cost.
Kamesh will lead a 25 member Indian delegation including Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, Mizoram Industries Minister S Haito, Member of Planning Board Kerala CP John and representatives of corporations manufacturing bamboo products to the World Bamboo Congress.
Indonesian Ambassador to Belgium Arif Havas Oegroseno will chair a SABF sponsored investment meet cum information session on investment opportunities of bamboo during the Congress.
