Indore: Three-day Global Bamboo Summit began at Indore today. Chief Guest Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan stressed the need for rapid growth of bamboo sector in India. Presiding over the summit, Union Surface Transport and National Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that pavilions for bamboo products’ sale will be set up at high-tech highway villages. Special guest Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh will be developed as Bamboo Capital of India. Union Minister of Agriculture Radhmohan Singh said that production of bamboo is also effective in poverty alleviation.
Representative of 11 states from India and abroad are attending the summit. Forum of discussions has been made available to bamboo producers, craftspersons, entrepreneurs and technical experts at the summit on the theme “Bamboo for Sustainable Development – Global Cooperation at the summit”
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that bamboo sector in India needs to be developed rapidly. New policy and technique are also required in this regard. She said that Bamboo Revolution can be brought about in the country. India’s economy can be boosted further by promoting bamboo production. It would give a new direction to development of the country. Looking to the fast speed with which the Central government is undertaking works to expand bamboo area, it seems that India’s economy will become bamboo-based. She said that bamboo production and use of goods made of it need to be promoted for environmental conservation as well.
Union Surface Transport and National Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that excellent work is being done in Madhya Pradesh for bamboo and its value-added products. He said that biggest matters of concern facing India are exodus of people from villages to cities due to poverty and unemployment. These problems can be addressed by promoting handicraft along with agriculture. Gap between villages and cities can also be bridged. Bamboo sector is witnessing considerable progress. Employment can be given to people by increasing bamboo production. He stressed the need for preparing new designs of bamboo products with the help of expert institutions. The Central government has decided to construct green highways. For this, one percent of total project cost will be spent on plantation and beautification. On national highways, Rs 10 lakh per hectare will be spent on plantation, mainly bamboos. Due to this, people will get employment as well as greenery. He announced that over 1200 high-tech highway villages are being developed in the country. In each of these villages, pavilions for bamboo products’ sale will be set up. Similar pavilions will also be set up for vegetables. He also stressed the need for use of bamboo as bio-fuel.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh will be developed as Bamboo Capital of India. Through Bamboo Mission, bamboo forest area will be expanded. Commercial farming of bamboo will also be promoted. Bamboo will be considered as agriculture product in Madhya Pradesh. He said that efforts will be made to create maximum employment opportunities in the state. Bamboo will be made source to increase farmers’ income. He said that bamboo production is less than its consumption in Madhya Pradesh. The state government has decided to undertake bamboo plantation on sides of farmers’ fields, around houses and on fallow lands. Madhya Pradesh would be made fully self-reliant in bamboo sector. Bamboo will also be used in construction of toilets under Swachchhata Mission. He said that efforts would be made to convey conclusions of the summit to all concerned.
