IT News
Imphal, Sept 18:
World Bamboo Day Observes at CSIR-NEIST Laboratory Branch, Lamphelpat, Imphal, Manipur under the theme of Bamboo, Our Natural Heritage for Sustainable Future. It was organised by CSIR-NEIST; Indian National Trust on Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Manipur Branch, The Chief Guest, Guests of Honour and President of the programme respectively by Prof. Dr. H. Birkumar Singh, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NEIST, Manipur, Government of India; Prof. Ng. Iboyaima Singh, Dean, College of Food Technology, Central Agricultural University (CAU); Shri Manasij Chakrabarti, AGM, Punjab National Bank, Imphal Branch; Dr. S. Manikanta Singh, Former Addl. Director, Manipur Health Services; Dr. RK Chingkhei, Faculty, Department of Forest and Environment, Manipur University and Dr. Homen Thanjam, Convenor, INTACH- Manipur Chapter.
The programme commenced with the plantation of bamboo on the campus of CSIR-NEIST. Dr. Atom Sunil Singh, Director, Apunba ImagiMachasing (AIMS), Manipur has proposed the welcome address during the World Bamboo Day. Prof. Dr. H. Birkumar Singh felt shocked after the incident occurred of the Manipur Violence. Not only did it affect the people of Manipur as a whole, but it also affected the biodiversity of Manipur. Manipur is well known as a biodiversity hotspot. However, the tag of biodiversity hotspots is not permanent. In order to conserve the biodiversity hotspot, bamboo is really important. The formation of soil in Northeast India is younger than in the western part of the Himalayan ranges. So, there is frequent landslide. Bamboo took a major role as a soil binder. Saneibi, a variety of bamboo found in Manipur can replace steel used for the construction of building. Bamboo can generate huge revenue by selling as a bamboo itself, craft or as a bamboo food product. Prof. Ng. Iboyaima Singh talked about the use of Bamboo as toothbrush, bamboo charcoal, and food products. The use of bamboo products makes us healthy and good for the environment. Bamboo content is rich in nutrients, less fat and more fibre. It is the best food in the present era. At present, there are 56 species of bamboo in Manipur. There are many innovative products produced so far which are about to be released in the market with the help of the ApunbaImagiMachasing (AIMS). It includes bamboo power as organic fertilizer, bamboo leaf tea, etc. He also appreciated for plantation initiated by AIMS to increase the bamboo products. We need to increase bamboo plantations because demand is more than bamboo production. Manasij Chakrabarti was very pleased to be a part of the observation of World Bamboo Day. Dr. S. Manikanta Singh said that Bamboo is a part and partial of our life. Bamboo is closely related to the traditions and religion of our society. Bamboo made many important tools traditionally including scientific measuring scales such as sangbai, meruk etc. However, the production of bamboo is decreasing. Asia is the largest bamboo-producing continent in the world consisting of about 80 %. Among them, Northeast India is one of the major areas for bamboo production. Regarding the environmental degradation caused by poppy plantations, Bamboo can be an alternative to poppy to conserve the environment and revenue generation.Dr. RK Chingkhei talked about bamboo to mitigate climate change. Bamboo is not a plant but it is a grass. It grows faster than any other plant. But also, bamboo is also taking a major role for livelihood and sustainability. It can control the soil erosion. Bamboo also has many utilities such as bamboo as medicine, musical instruments and tools. Dr. Homen Thanjam illustrated the role of INTACH. He also stated how bamboo is taking a significant role in preserving the natural heritage of Manipur.
