Nagaland conference mulls over transit rules and regulations for bamboo
Dimapur (Nagaland), July 27 (ANI): A roundtable conference on "Bamboo regulatory regime and transit access in northeast India" was held here recently at Nagaland Bamboo Resource Center.
ANI
Jul 27, 2016 19:35 IST
Dimapur (Nagaland), July 27 (ANI): A roundtable conference on "Bamboo regulatory regime and transit access in northeast India" was held here recently at Nagaland Bamboo Resource Center. Representatives from Tripura and Mizoram also participated the seminar initiated by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Opening the conference, Nagaland minister for Forest, Environment and Wildlife Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire said that it could be an important component for development and an effective means to improve the livelihood of the people. He also assured that the present government would work towards evolving a conducive policy for furtherance of bamboo sectors in Nagaland and the enterprisers and at the same time support the farmers to build up a strong local economy. Kire also shared that relaxation of entry fee on transit from one state to another will enhance the movement of bamboo and reduce transportation cost. Parliamentary secretary for Industries and Commerce, Amenba Yaden also opined the necessity 'to put heads together' to formulate a standard national norm, whereby all hindrances pertaining to free movement of bamboo and its products are curtailed. Advisor to Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA), Naiba Konyak also spoke at the inaugural session and highlighted the Naga tradition and customs on the use of bamboo. It may be mentioned here that despite its classification as a species of grass, bamboo is still considered as a forest product under Indian law (Indian Forest Act of 1927), and thus is treated as equivalent to wood product. Over the years, several voices have emerged calling for review of this policy and to exclude bamboo from the list of forest product. The northeast region whose combined territory constitutes only 8 percent of the country is producing 66 percent of India's total annual bamboo production. During the technical sessions, resource persons dwelt on topics like - Govt of India guidelines on bamboo transit, taxes and regimes on bamboo transit, use of bamboo for livelihood, key issues for development and export of bamboo products, etc It may also be mentioned that presently, Nagaland Bamboo Resource Center is providing trainings to young entrepreneurs on the use of bamboo. Furniture, basketry, decorative items, bamboo charcoal, etc are being produced at this center. (ANI)
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