JAMMU: In order to harness the unexplored potential of bamboo sector in J&K, the Ministry of DoNER, GoI through North East Cane & Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC) under North Eastern Council (NEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government of Jammu and Kashmir for Bamboo Entrepreneurship and Bamboo Infrastructure Development in J&K.
The MoU was signed in presence of Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of J&K and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, MoS, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space here at Convention Centre.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha congratulated the people of J&K and all those associated with Bamboo Sector and said that the signing of MoU will give impetus to bamboo production, its processing and associated business, and to develop bamboo industry into a strong industry of Jammu and Kashmir.
For planned cultivation of commercial species of Bamboo, the Lt Governor said that the J&K Administration will explore the possibility of setting up a State Bamboo Mission (SBM) in Jammu and Kashmir that will benefit large number of farmers in the UT.
The Lt Governor said that with the signing of MoU for bamboo development in Jammu and Kashmir, “the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of ‘Har Medh Par Ped’ has been made a reality in Jammu and Kashmir”.
“This marks the beginning of a new chapter. The MoU will create a new wave for all-round development of unexplored, untapped Bamboo Sector. Now, local artisans, entrepreneurs can touch new heights of progress and make domestic products available to the global market. Today, we have taken a giant leap in this direction to give a push to the products made from Bamboo called Green Gold, and, we have moved towards changing the lives of artisans and farmers with new technology,” remarked the Lt Governor.
“At present, around 1000 families are associated with bamboo handicrafts in Jammu and Kashmir, and we want to take this number to 10 thousand. The efforts for this are proceeding at a rapid pace,” the Lt Governor observed. “At national level, more than 25,000 bamboo based industries are providing employment opportunities to about 2 crore people, while about 21 to 22 lakh people are engaged in bamboo based art.”
On potential of J&K in Bamboo production, the Lt Governor said: “there are large parts in Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur and Reasi which are not suitable for farming, but have ample scope of Bamboo production. The products like Decorative Pieces, Agarbatti, Almirah, Doors, Windows and other decorative things can be made. This will boost business at the local level and provide new employment opportunities to the youth.”
Reiterating Government’s commitment for promotion of business sector in J&K, the Lt Governor said: just a few days back, the new Industrial Development Scheme-2021 worth Rs 28,400 crore has been implemented for Jammu and Kashmir and tremendous incentives have been given by the government to bring revolution in the business ecosystem here which for 70 years was denied to our nation’s crown, Jammu and Kashmir. Industries and entrepreneurs were prevented from coming to Jammu and Kashmir for 70 years. Under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, now there is dawn of a new beginning in J&K.”
Union MoS, Dr Jitendra Singh, while addressing the gathering, observed that with the signing of MoU, the post-COVID economy has taken off from the UT and the untapped huge bamboo reserves of the region would be an important part in the country’s future economy and J&K as well.
Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmed Khan said that with this MoU, the economy of Jammu region would be transformed in a big way and the model used in North Eastern region could be replicated here also to bring socio-economy change.
In his address, Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam said that a new change has been set in with this step and people would be benefited in a long way.
Secretary, DoNER, Dr. Inder Jit Singh and Secretary, North Eastern Council, K Moses Chalai also spoke on the occasion and underscored the benefits of bamboo cultivation and said that they would eagerly share their expertise with Jammu and Kashmir.
Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Commissioner/Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, in his welcome address, highlighted the huge potential of bamboo cultivation in Jammu.
Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member Parliament; Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Administrative Secretaries; Purnima Sharma, Deputy Mayor, JMC and senior officers of Civil Administration were present on the occasion.
