Shailendra Sinha reports how the perennial plant is creating huge employment opportunities for tribals of Jharkhand and helping them change their lives
Can you name a plant that rejuvenates barren land and which is considered to be the most durable material on earth? An only plant that grows rapidly in any kind of environment? It’s bamboo. Owing to its durability and ability to grow in any environment, the plant is believed to be a symbol of progress and prosperity. Bamboo farming, which is also known as green gold, has always proved to be profitable every time. World Bamboo Day was declared by the Thai Royal Forest Department in 2009 at the 8th World Bamboo Congress with an aim to create and increase awareness of bamboo globally. It is now celebrated every year on September 18.
Scientists believe that the plant, compared to other vegetation, has 35 per cent more oxygen. The concept of sustainable development and the vision of ‘Green India’ is also being realised through bamboos. In Feng Shui, the plant is called the ‘divine plant’.
Jharkhand, a tribal dominated state, is also one of the prominent states where bamboo is produced on a large scale. According to India State Forest report, the Jharkhand’s forest belt covers an area of almost 23,478 sq km and approximately 2,520 million tonnes are produced. With the production of bamboo, the Jharkhand government plans to bring about positive changes in the livelihood of the tribals through various schemes. On one hand, the emphasis is on increasing its production, on the other hand, skill training is being imparted to the artisans. They are also being motivated for self-employment.
Today, the demand for Jharkhand’s bamboo has increased all over the world. In view of the increasing demand, Chief Minister Raghubar Das’s government will be organising a two-day Bamboo Artisan Mela on World Bamboo Day in Dumka.
Half of India’s bamboo is found there. The bamboo found in the state — Bambusa tulda, Bambusa nutans and Bambusa balcooa — are also high in demand worldwide. The crafts have become the main industry of Jharkhand, and about 500 types of products are made from it, which are then transported to other states. Bamboo production generates an income of Rs 50 lakh every year for the government.
K Ravi Kumar, Secretary, Department of Industries, Jharkhand, says that the government will ensure that the income of people living in rural areas gets doubled to lift them out of poverty by the year 2022. Kumar also informs that efforts are being made to provide employment to people through forest based products. National Bamboo Mission and Jharkhand State Bamboo Mission are working together to promote the production of bamboo. Through the concept of ‘Green India’ for farmers and sustainable development, the government is working towards achieving more employment in the bamboo-based industry.
Among the Mahli tribe of Jharkhand, there are hundreds and thousands of families who have been traditionally making bamboo baskets for their livelihood since many years. In the Bamboo Artisan Mela, 10,000 artisans will gather from all over the country. They will be receiving training on sustainable development. Investors from all across the country will be informed about the bamboo-based industry. Bamboo is abundant in each district of Jharkhand. Its abundance promises great potential for the people of the state in terms of employment. Also, it can be utilised in various ways ranging from agriculture to alternative sources of energy.
Demand for bamboo products such as sofa sets, tables, bags and artistic materials for daily use has increased in recent times due to which its trade has also increased in the world. Ajit Sen, who runs an NGO, ESAF, says, “Bamboo is being produced in all the districts of the state, with maximum production in Santhal Parganas. Apart from this, it is available in abundance in Godda, Sahibganj, Pakud, Dumka, Jamtara, Jamshedpur, Hazaribagh, Khuti, Gumla, Ranchi Ramgarh district. The artisans are being encouraged by Mukhyamantri Laghu Evam Kutir Udyog Vikas Board to become cultivators of the plant. There are about two hundred artisans in a cluster. There are around a 1,000 clusters at present in the state. A producer group has been created for the artisans. They are also given training to ensure efficiency. What is special about the bamboo products made in Jharkhand is that there is demand for them in Europe and in the Middle East.
Since the demand for bamboo products is rising, the artisans are being trained on modern methods of production to ensure maximum employment. Bamboo artisans Santosh Mahli, Kashinath Mahli, Joseph Mahli, Babita Kumari, Marshila Hembram earn approximately Rs 10,000 per month. The government is also working towards increasing the income of the poor. Moreover, several new types of products have been added to the existing ones through various trainings. The tribals of Jharkhand will no longer have to migrate to West Bengal for employment. Bamboo will provide them employment at their own residential places.
—Charkha Features
