City technologist pitches in for freeing bamboo

Bamboo technologist Pratap Goswami, who is a consultant to several state governments mainly in the north-east, has come out strongly in support of the move of the panchayati raj and rural development ministries. The two departments at the Centre have taken up the long-pending issue of liberating bamboo from the clutches of the ministry of environment and the forest (MoEF).


For nearly a decade, Goswami has been fighting for the cause. Reacting to the latest development of some sections of the government seeking releasing of bamboo from the control of the forest department, he said it was a welcome move. "It shows awareness about the economic importance of bamboo and the potential it holds by way of employment generation, is increasing. A new sector that has been totally ignored despite India's natural advantages is waiting to be explored," said Goswami.


Slamming the forest bureaucracy for its reluctance to free bamboo from its control, he hoped sanity would prevail and it would take the sage advice of other ministries of the government. "After China, India is the biggest producer of bamboo. But while the bamboo business is booming in that country, stringent restrictions on cutting and transport even in private plantations is stifling the bamboo industry in India," said Goswami.


"I am also examining the legal recourse and have recently filed a public interest litigation which should come up in the high court here anytime," the bamboo technologist informed.


"In fact the bamboo control policy of the MoEF is totally anti-conservation. Allowing bamboo in private plantations without any restrictions would reduce the pressure of forest grown bamboo which they can zealously guard using the department's manpower. Bamboo which regenerates fast and has a life-cycle of 50 years can reduce dependence on distress-hit traditional crops like cotton in Vidarbha.


"Once it is free, the bamboo industry at the village level can create millions of jobs across the country, especially with new technology providing varied use. It can be processed into timber for construction and furniture along with other traditional uses in handicraft and items of household use. Thus bamboo can lead to protecting forests as felling for timber can be reduced," explained Goswami.


Once the new technology is adapted to Indian conditions, bamboo can emerge as a major revenue earner and boost the Indian economy. "We have seen it happen in China. Its time India takes the right steps in that direction," said Goswami. He said restrictions imposed on it are a big hurdle. "Recently we went through a nightmare while starting a bamboo processing unit near Ramtek. The forest officials are reluctant to co-operate and banks also shy from funding any new enterprise. What is difficult to understand is that while MoEF is so negative on bamboo's public use, the Centre has been promoting its use by setting up the National Bamboo Mission and Mission on Bamboo Applications," remarked Goswami.