Govt sanctions special budget of Rs19.51 L to boost bamboo industry

Deep Sharma. Updated: 1/25/2022 11:33:44 AM Front Page

Jammu: Aiming to boost the bamboo sector and create new means of employment on the lines of North-Eastern states, Jammu and Kashmir Government has sanctioned a special budget of Rs 19.51 lakhs to the Handicrafts Department.
Official sources said that apart from promoting cultivation of bamboo, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to train the youth of manufacturing bamboo made furniture and other products.
“The youth of Jammu will be connected with various markets across the country to sell the products from farming to furniture made of bamboo so that they can become self-sufficient and provide employment to many others as well by boosting the related sector,” an official said.
“The Government has released a special budget of Rs 19.51 lakh to the Handicraft and Handloom Department from the budget of the current financial year,” they said adding, “with this budget, the department will run training classes for the youth and make them familiar with bamboo craft by arranging tours to different parts of the country.”
Sources said that the youth were also motivated towards the bamboo business by organizing an exhibition of bamboo products in Jammu last year under the National Bamboo Mission.
“Kathua, Samba and Reasi districts of Jammu division have immense potential for bamboo cultivation, so the government is trying to create new employment opportunities by promoting it in bamboo handicraft products, packaging materials and paper industries,” they said.
Sources further said that under the National Bamboo Mission, the government will also help from bamboo nursery to self-employment and making youth self-reliant and added, “the artisans dealing in bamboo industry will also get employment, manufacture furniture, baskets and other decorative items from bamboo.”
Stating that the bamboo leaves will be used for animal feed, theys said, “the farmers who do not have land, will be provided land for bamboo cultivation and promoting nursery of this unique grass.”
As bamboo has been freed from 100 years old Forest Act, the farmers dealing with this industry, do not have to seek permission from the forest department for cutting of bamboo wood, adding they said, “bamboo is in high demand for the paper manufacturing, housing, decorative items, construction sectors, furniture and it will surely turn out to be powerful means of livelihood of the youth.”
Last year, sources said that the Jammu and Kashmir Government had signed a MoU with the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC) to promote bamboo cultivation in the Union Territory and generate employment.
“Under this agreement, NECBDC will identify areas in Jammu and Kashmir which have suitable land for bamboo cultivation and where more bamboo can be grown in less space,” they said.
“Apart from this, the Council will also help the government as an expert in developing industrial infrastructure related to bamboo and under the agreement, the Council will also train the farmers and youth to manufacture products and sell them in the market,” sources added.

Updated On 1/25/2022 11:34:20 AM


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