The First International Bamboo Conference cum Workshop (IBCCW-2015) jointly organized by Oriental College (Autonomous), Salai Holding Pvt. Ltd and Bamboo Forum of India Dev Bamboo Industry & CREDO, Manipur has been inaugurated at the auditorium of Oriental College (Autonomous), Takyel, Imphal today.
Govindas Konthoujam, Minister, Commerce and Industries, A.K Mirabai Devi, Minister, Social Welfare and Cooperation and Prof. H Tombi Singh, Chairman, Governing Body (Oriental College) also Former Vice-Chancellor of MU attended as dignitaries in the inaugural function.
Speaking in the function, A.K Mirabai Devi, Minister, Social Welfare and Cooperation said that bamboo is associated with the people of Manipur from birth to death as bamboo is easily available to us.
Bamboo has many roles and from the opinion of experts, the dangers posed by climate change can be controlled by a global propagation of bamboo, she added.
Manipur is globally known for its field of games and sports activities as well as handloom and handicraft which have their origin out of a skilful use of bamboo.
Some decades back most of the items of daily use on the state were made out of bamboo. Looking through this matter, a close revival of these items is needed and through mass production, these items made from bamboo can be made available cheaply.
Bamboo plays an important role in providing lots of food items mainly Soibum or fermented bamboo shoot which is the local delicacy and if efforts are channeled into it, it can be a base for industry in the state, she added.
Unemployed youths of Manipur can employ themselves profitably if they are able to exploit the latent potentialities of bamboo.
The responsibility of turning Manipur into a bamboo manufacturing hub lies with the people of our state and the State Government has the potential of creating Bamboo tourism, she added.
Govindas Konthoujam, Minister, Commerce and Industries said that the state Government are looking forward to produce the product of bamboo and made available in the most possible way.
67% of bamboo grows in the North-East states of India. Most of the bamboo of North East grows in the jungle. 1/3 land of Manipur are covered by bamboo, he added.
He further said that economic growth of the state can be increased if the product of bamboo can be supplied globally.
Countries like China and Japan has already shown interest in the product of Bamboo and has a high demand of Soibum or fermented bamboo shoot, he added.
Foreign delegates were also present at today’s’ function. Some of the foreign delegates took part at the workshop. Around 60 stalls of different varieties of bamboos, product of bamboos, handloom and handicraft, etc are taking part at the workshop.
