IMPHAL, Sept 18 - Manipur Assembly Speaker Yumnam Khemchand today said the Bamboo Mission needs the Centre�s attention as bamboo has more potential in comparison to trees as a construction material. Bamboos have just a three-year growth cycle, while trees mature after many years, he pointed out.
Khemchand was speaking at the 10th World Bamboo Day celebration held under the theme, �Bamboo: the future plants�a new hope�, here. Local leader H Shyamkanhai Singh, Mayor L Lokeshwor Singh and corporator Th Bankimchandra Singh of the Imphal Municipal Corporation attended the function as the president and guests of honour respectively.
The event was sponsored by the National Bamboo Mission (Manipur chapter) in coordination with other departments.
Appreciating the effort to produce various bamboo-made products like beds and furniture items, and supply them to other States, the Manipur Assembly Speaker said China is planning to substitute 50 per cent of all building parts like tiles and ceilings with bamboo by 2020.
In his speech, local leader Shyamkanhai stressed the importance of bamboo as an essential part in the performance of any ritual or ceremony in the traditional society.
On the other hand, Director of the National Bamboo Mission DD Haokip said the climate of Manipur is suitable for the cultivation of bamboo, and that the Government is ready to provide the requisite technical support, capacity building, skill development and financial assistance to boost bamboo production.
�Bamboo can be grown in valleys and river banks and can be easily harvested. Entrepreneurs in Manipur can industrially process the bamboo to get sources of income,� he felt.
A rally was also held to promote bamboo. Different products made of bamboo like bicycles, furniture, electronics goods, etc., were exhibited during the function. A souvenir was also released on the occasion.
The World Bamboo Day was first celebrated on September 18, 2009 at Prachan Buri, Thailand, during the World Bamboo Congress held at Bangkok, Thailand. In Manipur, it was held for the first time in 2011. The day has since been observed at various locations in the State every year.
