Manipur Celebrates World Bamboo Day with a Two Day Event

Celebrating the multiple benefits and usages of bamboo, Manipur observed a two-day World Bamboo Day in the state on Tuesday. As a part of the event, the organizers took out a rally starting from Kangla Palace to Singjamei. Enthusiasts and bamboo product manufacturers all united at one place to celebrate the occasion.

The exhibition of bamboo made products were the centre points of attraction where an array of bamboo products like bags, cycle, lamp, decorative items, kitchenware and furniture were displayed.

Bamboo, a gift of nature, can be used for various purposes and this celebration in Manipur depicted that only. Manipur Speaker Yumnam Khemchand said, "If we promote bamboo crafts it will contribute to a good share of the state's economy. The Centre needs to take a keen interest in this industry. I will keep extending my support to promote the bamboo industry in Manipur."

The speaker also urged the people to start using bamboo as an alternative of wood as this will not be a friendly move towards the Mother Nature but will also be much economical.

Haobam Sukumar, the Bamboo Forum of India coordinator and convener of the bamboo day celebration committee said, "Bamboo is environment-friendly and durable and we must celebrate this day to spread awareness about the use of bamboo."

This is astonishing that Manipur is a state that is home to around 51 bamboo species and of these, the experts have identified 10 bamboo samples only. This shows that there are more to identify and explore about the bamboo species in the state and this will perhaps open the door to more possibilities for the state in the bamboo industry.

The World Bamboo Day was first celebrated at Prachan Buri in Thailand on September 18, 2009, and Manipur followed this convention since 2011.