To kick start scoping study on bamboo and to assess the feasibility of establishing bamboo enterprises in the state, Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) organised a workshop on October 22 at the Conference Hall of the Forest office complex, Minister hill, Kohima.
A press release by NFMP stated that in his inaugural speech, the chief project director, Dharmendra Prakash, talked about how bamboo being an integral part of life due to its versatile adaptability and uses.
The director informed that after the 2017 amendment of Indian Forest Act, bamboo was no longer listed as a tree and has been exempted from payment of royalty to the government with free transit pass.
“This is an opportunity for farmers to undertake bamboo plantation to increase their income and the step also would boost the bamboo enterprise section,” said Dharmendra.
He also informed that under the Nagaland Forest Management project there was provision for livelihood improvement of the rural populace and that bamboo enterprise development could become a component towards this end.
The director also talked about the “Act East Policy” and how the state should take advantage of this opportunity in terms of bamboo enterprise development for the economic development of the state.
The technical sessions of the workshop include power-point presentation on various topics by resource persons. Discussion hour was led by Conservator of Forests, Dr. Kenei Miachieo, where participants from the divisional management units, field management units, project management unit and the resource person deliberated and discussed the way forward with regard to the roadmap for the scoping study.
The workshop was chaired by project director, Supongnukshi and vote of thanks was proposed by deputy project director, Lhinghoikim Touthang.