BTC Establishes Bamboo Nursery-cum-Production Centres

Why in the News?

The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) has laid the foundation stones for two Bamboo Nursery-cum-Production Centres in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts to promote bamboo cultivation, value addition, and sustainable rural livelihoods.

More About the News

Recognised as the “Green Gold of India”, bamboo is a vital renewable resource that supports sustainable development, employment generation, and climate resilience. The new centres are expected to strengthen the bamboo value chain and boost the socio-economic development of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

Key Highlights

• The projects have been sanctioned under the Special Development Project (SDP) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER).
• The centres will be established at:
  • Khayerghutu, Kokrajhar – Estimated cost: ₹9.82 crore.
  • Aipowali, Chirang – Estimated cost: ₹27.31 crore.
• The centres will be developed over 55 bighas and 100 bighas, respectively.
• The projects will include:
  • Tissue culture laboratories
  • Hardening units
  • Bamboo groves
  • Administrative buildings
  • Other supporting infrastructure
• The centres are proposed to be operated through private agencies on a lease model to improve efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Objectives

• Produce high-quality bamboo planting material using scientific propagation techniques.
• Strengthen the bamboo value chain through improved production, processing, and marketing.
• Generate employment opportunities and enhance the income of bamboo farmers and artisans.
• Promote the sustainable utilisation of bamboo as a renewable natural resource.

Expected Benefits

• Production of nearly 5.88 lakh quality bamboo seedlings annually.
• Generation of more than 1,200 direct jobs and around 2,800 indirect employment opportunities.
• Benefit nearly 4 lakh bamboo cultivators and artisans through improved planting material and market support.
• Improved road connectivity and infrastructure will enhance access to bamboo production centres.

Significance

• Promotes scientific bamboo cultivation and value addition.
• Strengthens the rural economy through employment and entrepreneurship.
• Supports sustainable use of bamboo as an eco-friendly and renewable resource.
• Contributes to climate-resilient livelihoods and green economic growth in the Bodoland Territorial Region.

Prelims Practice Question

Q. With reference to bamboo cultivation in India, consider the following statements:

1. The National Bamboo Mission promotes bamboo cultivation, processing, and value addition.
2. The Indian Forest (Amendment) Act, 2017 removed bamboo grown outside forests from the definition of a tree.
3. Bamboo is recognised as an important renewable resource for climate-resilient livelihoods.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

• (a) 1 and 2 only
• (b) 2 and 3 only
• (c) 1, 2 and 3 ✅
• (d) 1 and 3 only

One-line Wrap

The Bamboo Nursery-cum-Production Centres will strengthen Assam’s bamboo economy through scientific cultivation, value addition, employment generation, and sustainable rural development, making bamboo a key driver of green growth.