Agartala, September 25: Tripura Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu on Thursday called for concerted efforts to turn the state’s abundant bamboo resources into greater livelihood and entrepreneurial opportunities, while ensuring that traditional craftsmanship is preserved.
Nallu made the remarks during a visit to the Bamboo & Cane Development Institute (BCDI) at Lichubagan in Agartala, where he reviewed various activities related to cultivation, processing, technology, testing and development of bamboo products.
During the visit, BCDI In-charge Dr Abhinav Kant briefed the Governor on the institute’s work and took him through the Bamboo Pathshala and Bamboo Nursery. Nallu was apprised of different bamboo varieties, their characteristics, cultivation practices and potential applications.
At the Bamboo Processing & Technology Centre, the Governor witnessed demonstrations of machinery used for processing bamboo. Officials explained the processes involved in treatment, value addition and product development, and highlighted how modern technology could improve quality, efficiency and marketability.
Nallu subsequently visited the Bamboo Product Testing Laboratory, where officials explained the facilities available to evaluate bamboo products for strength, durability, quality and other parameters. The importance of testing in meeting prescribed standards and entering wider markets was also explained.
The Governor also inspected a range of bamboo products developed by BCDI and discussed opportunities for developing new designs, adding value and expanding commercial applications.
Speaking to the media, Nallu said Tripura’s diverse bamboo resources could support the manufacture of a wide range of products. He mentioned javelins, fishing rods and other useful articles as examples of possible applications.
He highlighted BCDI’s contribution to skill development, saying the institute trains artisans and craftsmen from different parts of the country in bamboo processing and product development.
The Governor also referred to the growing interest in bamboo cultivation in Tripura and said the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) was encouraging Self-Help Groups at the state and district levels to undertake bamboo-based production activities.
Nallu proposed that BCDI examine the possibility of creating a centre where artisans could obtain processed bamboo materials in ready-to-use form. Such a facility, he said, could reduce the time and effort spent on raw-material preparation and allow artisans to focus on product making and innovation.
He further stressed the importance of combining traditional skills with modern technology and tools. Nallu particularly mentioned the craft of producing portraits and artistic items from bamboo roots, which he described as a distinctive traditional practice in Tripura.
He called for sustained efforts to preserve and promote such indigenous craftsmanship while improving production techniques and market opportunities, so that bamboo-based activities can provide stable economic opportunities for local artisans.
