Bamboo development agency for NE

Shillong, Aug 8: The Northeast will soon have a North East Bamboo Development Council (NEBDC) exclusively to promote the bamboo sector in the region. 

Subsequent to the second meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Bamboo Sector Coordition Group held at New Delhi last month, North East Council (NEC) member CK Das has lamented the lack of proper policy to harness bamboo products in the region and the country.

Das stated that though India was the second largest bamboo producer in the world, however its position is below 10 in terms of world bamboo trade and is a net importer of most bamboo products. 

He said, “One of the reasons identified is the complicated and unfavorable policies. Notwithstanding, there is a high potential for production, consumption and exports. And a body like the NEBDC will go a long way in promoting the bamboo sector in the Northeast of India in a coordited manner.”

Das said this at a meeting held at the NEC office here on Tuesday under his chairmanship to discuss the setting up of a North East Bamboo Development Council (NEBDC).

Speaking on the occasion, NEC Secretary Ram Muivah said that following the decision taken at the second meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Bamboo Sector Coordition Group held at New Delhi on 6th July under the chairmanship of veen Verma, Secretary in the Ministry of DoNER, Tuesday’s meeting was being held with representatives from the State governments of the north-eastern region and other stakeholder institutions.

The objectives of the NEBDC will be to dedicatedly promote the bamboo sector by facilitating, coorditing and mobilizing efforts aimed at promoting the sector. The NEBDC will also be the body of knowledge and think tank for policy making and advisory roles. 

The NEBDC will be set up as a society under Societies Registration Act, 1860 and will have a high-level governing body and an executive body with a professiol magerial setup.

The meeting hoped that the NEBDC will help in accelerated growth of bamboo plantations and industries in the region and cater to the requirements of all the States of the region in this field, even as it also decided to set up Bamboo Resource Centres in all the States of the region. Discussions were also held for celebration of tiol Bamboo Day on September 18, 2017.