Arunachal wants China trip to get tips on bamboo

The movement on the border talks between India and China may have been slow but that has not stopped Arunachal Pradesh from seeking to leave the unpleasant past behind.

The movement on the border talks between India and China may have been slow but that has not stopped Arunachal Pradesh from seeking to leave the unpleasant past behind. For the first time, the border state is planning to send an official delegation to the neighbouring country for tips on bamboo cultivation.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of External Affairs asking for clearance for a five-member delegation that plans to attend a workshop on bamboo cultivation at Hangzhou in southeast China between July 3 and 8. The workshop, organised by the Nanjing Forestry University, is likely to be attended

by representatives from Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

‘‘Hangzhou is world famous for its success in bamboo plantation and products. Since our state is abundant in bamboo, there are many things that can be learnt from them,’’ said education minister Chowna Mein, who is part of the team. The other members include Irrigation Minister N Tingkhatra, nodal officer of the State Bamboo Mission G N Sinha and two senior officials of the forest department.

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China is claiming 90,000 sq km of territory in the Northeast that includes most of Arunachal Pradesh. The border state, however, has been urging the Centre to upgrade the infrastructure and establish trade marts along the border with the neighbour since there is a huge potential and the entire region would be benefited. It is estimated that 70 per cent of the country’s growing stock of bamboo is in the Northeast that is yet to be properly utilised. An official said that one-fifth of the total area under forests (82 per cent of the state) in Arunachal Pradesh has bamboo, mainly of the dendrocalamus variety.

‘‘Proper utilisation of bamboo can change the face of the state and the adjoining states. Since there is a slim chance of corporate houses investing here to set up industries, it is best to build on the existing resources,’’ the minister said.

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