NAMSAI, Nov 2: The ten-day bamboo workshop on ‘Building with Bamboo’ concluded on a positive note at Golden Pagoda Complex, Noi Cheinam, Tengapani here today.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein in his valedictory speech said that a Vision Document will be prepared to draw a road map for future course of action for development of eco-tourism with bamboo in the state. For the purpose, he asked the Secretary (Tourism), Sadhana Deori to lead the group of officers for preparing the vision document in consultation with all the stakeholders including South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SABF) and Integrated Mountain Initiatives (IMI).
He further said that North East is the store house of bamboo but we do not have proper entrepreneurship to treat the bamboo and make quality finished products. According to him, bamboo treatment can be done with a simple technology at households which local people should learn as the treated bamboo would cost more than the raw bamboo and will also last longer.
He also asked Dr Ajoy Bhatacharya, Managing Director of National Green Highway Mission, NHAI-MoRTH to prepare a project proposal for development of green highway in the state.
Mein also said that he will further request the GST Council to reduce GST on bamboo and its products from present 12% to 5%.

Attending the closing session as the Chief Guest, Minister of Environment & Forest,  Nabam Rebia lauded the Deputy Chief Minister for his visionary initiative and said that the bamboo workshop was a first of its kind in the State.

He said that scientific management of bamboo is essential for the state and such workshops should provide the technology. He said that Arunachal is making all efforts for use of bamboo for sustainable development.
He informed that a project proposal has been submitted to National Bamboo Mission covering various aspects of sustainable development through raising of plantation, establishing of nurseries, enhancement of income through value addition, assistance to bamboo industries, charcoal and bio-fuel industry, incense stick making, training and support to artisans, etc. He further said that progress is being made in this direction and his department is committed to do it.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr Mohesh Chai said that the workshop was a milestone towards establishment of bamboo industry in the state. Highlighting the bamboo potential of the state, he said that according to statistics, we are sitting on mines of green gold, i.e. bamboo.
He said that the need of the hour is formation of a Bamboo Policy in the state to make best use of bamboo resources besides forming policies on eco-tourism, bamboo processing plants, skill development and strengthening research & development.
Bamboo Specialist, Jorg Stamm make a power point presentation on innovative bamboo structures designed and constructed by his team across the globe while Kamesh Salam, CEO, SABF highlighted the training done during the workshop
On the occasion, Secretary IMI, Fantry Jaswal Mein, Special Secretary (Planning), Himanshu Gupta and Deputy Commissioner, Namsai, Dr Tapashya Raghav also spoke.
Dr Ajoy Bhattacharya, IFS, MD, National Green Highway Mission, NHAI-MoRTH, S T S Lepcha ex-PCCF Uttarakhand, Freddie, resource person from United Kingdom and Tobgay, resource person from Bhutan also spoke on the occasion.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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