World bamboo workshop in Imphal, first in Asia

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, February 4, 2019: For the first time in Asia Word Bamboo Workshop was opened as its third edition in Manipur on Monday by Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh in the presence of dignitaries and delegates from around 34 countries.

The delegated are from countries like Mexico, US, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Chile, Germany, UK, France, Australia, Vietnam, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, China and Thailand etc.

The 5-day workshop is jointly organised by World Bamboo Organisation and the Government of Manipur at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound in Imphal East.

The first edition of the workshop was held in Mexico in 2017 and the second edition in Peru in 2018.

The present generation must do something tangible regarding bamboo promotion and plantation if it really cares about sustainable development and renewable resources of the world, Biren said. He lauded the World Bamboo Organization for initiating a global movement to bring the bamboo people together for promoting bamboo use for food, fuel, fibre, building materials and a renewable resource with many applications.

Maintaining that the Bamboo Society of India must also open a Manipur Chapter for a Bamboo Mission in Manipur, he also sought the assistance of international business and trading concerns in the global marketing of all bamboo products from Manipur.

“We share the vision of the World Bamboo Organization and sincerely seek the assistance and cooperation of their institution and sister networks, in the matter of plantation, cultivation, processing of bamboo, marketing of bamboo products and technology upgradation and skill development,” said the chief minister.

He said India has 15.69 million hectares of land under bamboo, the second largest after China. But India’s share in world bamboo trade of 1.5 billion dollars is insignificant. The North Eastern Region of India has only 28% of land under bamboo, while it has 66% of India’s bamboo stock. The North Eastern Region and Manipur is therefore the ‘Bamboo Region’ of India.

Textiles, commerce and industry minister Th. Biswajit said the state government has drafted a separate policy for bamboo but it wants to add more constructive inputs from the workshop, he said.

Forest and environment minister Th. Shyamkumar said since time immemorial, bamboo is an integral part of the lives of the people of Manipur and they have been using it in various practices. In fact, bamboo plays a very important role in the lives and culture of Manipur, he said while adding that bamboo is very essential for the economic development of the state.

According to World Bamboo Ambassador Prof Nirmala Chongtham and principal secretary (textiles, commerce and industries) P. Vaiphei the projects of each country/organization will be showcased along with Indian projects during the World Bamboo Workshop where there will be expo conferences, workshops and interactive sessions.

It has exhibitions on various bamboo products along with demonstration of the latest technologies and practices in the processing, treatment and production of various bamboo products by world renowned bamboo experts at the City Convention Centre where 15 stalls are set up. Another 50 stalls specifically focused on bamboo products and local handicrafts as well as local handlooms are set up at Hapta Kangjeibung, Imphal East.

Two bamboo pavilions are constructed at Hapta Kangjeibung by Juan Pablo Pinto a world famous bamboo expert from Australia and Mark Emery, a world famous bamboo expert from Thailand.

Three other bamboo pavilions are constructed at Hotel Imphal lawns, Marjing in Imphal and at Leisang village in Churachandpur district for demonstration purpose by world famous bamboo experts, Martin Mortera from Mexico, Manjunath Neelam of India, and Peter Van Lengen from Brazil.

A bamboo food cooking competition is scheduled from February 4 to 6 at Hapta Kangjeibung to highlight the nutritious aspect of bamboo as a popular food item. Bamboo cookies and biscuits will be introduced during the workshop for the first time here.