India can become key player in Bamboo export : Minister

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Projecting India as a nation with vast resources of bamboo, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Harsh Vardhan on March 13, 2018, said that India has the potential to become a significant player in international bamboo export.

At a meeting held with the representatives of International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR) in New Delhi on March 13, Dr Harsh Vardhan emphasized on the thrust provided by the Government to develop the bamboo sector to address various issues such as livelihood, climate change mitigation and land degradation. He specifically referred to the landmark initiative of the Government of promulgating the Indian Forest (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, to exempt bamboo grown in non-forest areas from definition of tree, thereby dispensing with the requirement of felling/transit permit for its economic use.  The INBAR delegation recognized and appreciated the vision of PM  Narendra Modi in this regard, according to a PIB release.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan also pointed out that capacity-building and training programmes will be organized for artisans for making special items from bamboo.  “A lot of value addition products can be worked out for the uplift of artisans and farmers,” the Minister told the INBAR representatives.

Interacting with the INBAR delegation, the Minister pointed out that natural resources such as bamboo belong to the entire world.  “We believe in the concept of whole world as one family,” Dr. Vardhan stated.  He emphasized that India has leading research and training institutes and the country can become the research and training hub for bamboo and rattan in South Asia.

India’s participation at the upcoming Global Bamboo and Rattan Congress (BARC 2018) in Beijing from June 25-27, 2018, was also discussed at the meeting.  DG, INBAR,Hans Fredrick said that India must send a large delegation to attend the Congress.  The Minister appreciated the efforts of INBAR and assured its representatives that India will be well-represented at the Congress.