Keeping in view the multiple uses of bamboo and its products, the Forest department will soon launch a bamboo based livelihood project in the potential areas of the State. The project will be based on people participation through integration by involving Forest, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry departments and Corporations like State Forest Development Corporation, HPKVN, Handicraft & Handloom Corporation, GIC and HPMHWDP with a Nodal Officer at its apex.Vice Chairman, H.P State Forest Development Corporation Shri Kewal Singh Pathania disclosed this in the meeting held here to explore the possibilities of bamboo based livelihood options in the State.
He said the project would be launched in various potential areas of the State especially in Kangra, Hamirpur, Chamba, Solan, Bilaspur, Mandi and Sirmour districts. He said bamboo could become a source of livelihood support to the rural community by augmenting their skill for the propagation value addition and assured marketing.Pathania said bamboo was a source of bio-energy for fodder and fuel wood and traditionally it was being used to make flooring, curtains, foot rests, baskets, kiltas, food containers, ladder making, and walking sticks. In some parts of the State, it was also being used to channelize the water flow, besides manufacturing other useful products.
He said bamboo was available in huge quantity in various districts and its species grow much faster than most of the hard woods and spreads into other areas. Also, bamboos could be harvested every four year on rotation for its sustainable supply from the forest as well as in private areas. By making bamboo articles, furniture, huts and offices could be well equipped with bamboo products which were more economically viable and eco-friendly.To ensure the viability of the project and to achieve the laid down objectives, the possibility of funding would be worked out by developing linkages with the HPKVN, Handicraft & Handloom Corporation, Forest, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry department, MoEF and other international agencies like INBAR, said Shri Pathania. He added that for the purpose of the technical inputs institutes like HFRI, UHF Nauni, HPKV Palampur, IHBT Palampur would be consulted.Sh. Kewal Singh Pathania said a concept note on bamboo based livelihood would be prepared by the Forest Department and would be submitted to the Forest Minister to work further on the concept, methodology and its implementation.Principal CCF Sh. S. S. Negi, MD, HPSFDC Dr. Lalit Mohan, MD, Handicraft & Handloom Corporation Sh. A.C. Sharma and other senior officers were present in the meeting.