Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: Bamboo to propel the North East

On July 11, 2020, the Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Bamboo sector is to play a major role in the India’s post COVID-19 economy. It is to propel the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in the north-east India.

Highlights

The Government of India will use the mantra of “Create, Curate and Coordinate” in order to completely exploit, brand, pack and market bamboo products in the country and in abroad as well.

Why North East?

The North East is to play a major role in promoting Bamboo sector as 40% of India’s Bamboo resources lie in the north eastern region.

Need

India is the second largest producer of Bamboo and cane in the world. However, share of India’s trade is only 5% of the Global Trade. Also, it is essential to boost bamboo sector to achieve targets of restructured National Bamboo Mission.

Bamboo is no more a tree in India

The major hindrance in exploiting Bamboo in India was that it was listed as a tree under Indian Forest Act, 1927. The amendment made to the act in 2017 has now changed Bamboo to grass.

Bamboo, botanically is a grass. More than 300 ethnic groups in the northeast use Bamboo for housing and also as food.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2020