State celebrates 'World Bamboo Day'

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 18: As celebrated globally, World Bamboo Day was also celebrated in the State, today, to increase the awareness of bamboo.
Lamphelpat
Dr H Birkumar Singh, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NEIST has highlighted the pressing need of establishing a Bambusetum in Manipur during the World Bamboo Day observation held today at CSIR-NEIST, Branch Laboratory, Lamphelpat, Imphal.
The programme was organized jointly with the Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS), Manipur.
At the event, he mentioned that bamboo is a traditional resource of Manipur having wide utility needs from childbirth to death.
Although Manipur harbours a diverse species of bamboo, no sustaining way of cultivation and conservation is taken up, he added.
Prof Amar Yumnam, Head, Department of South East Asia Studies, Manipur University who was the chief guest of the programme said that bamboo is used in different traditional forms in the State.
Mayanglambam Khelendro Singh, Vice president, The Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS), Manipur and Mawung Mingthing, secretary, AIMS, Manipur also attended the programme as guests of honour.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Atom Sunil Singh, director, AIMS, Manipur said that World Bamboo Day was officially established at the 8th World Bamboo Congress held in Bangkok on September 18  2009.
The programme is celebrated to raise awareness of the benefits of bamboo and to promote its use in everyday products.
Patsoi
South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SAbF) and Manipur Industries Union (MIU) jointly organised World Bamboo Day at Crafts Complex Patsoi Part-I, today.
Different environmentalists, bamboo entrepreneurs and sympathizers attended the programme.
At the observance, MIU president, Chingtam Luwang expressed disappointment over excluding Manipur in adopting 22 bamboo clusters and 'lacks' of efforts from the Government side in promoting bamboo and its products.
Bamboo Development & Promotion Organisation (BADPO) and National Bamboo Mission too celebrated World Bamboo Day at the complex of Sawombung CFC Forest Department, Manipur, today.