The problems faced by the farmers and artisans in extracting bamboo from forest were among issues discussed at the start of a five-day training in preparation of bamboo handicrafts at the Forest Research Institute here on Monday.
FRI director Savita formally inaugurated the training programmed for artisans, farmers and small scale manufactures of Himachal Pradesh at the Common Facility Centre for Bamboo Processing and Training (CFC-BPT). Sponsored by Himachal Pradesh forest department, 22 participants from different regions of that State are attending the training.
The training will include practical demonstrations on chemical treatment of bamboo by boucherie technique, chemical seasoning of bamboo handicrafts using urea, use of ammonia fumigation technique and bamboo composite making. Artisans will be trained to prepare products like mats, baskets, trays, vases, table frames and other household items considering the different products that can be made from bamboo. Activities like colouring, weaving and fine splitting of bamboo will also be taught during the training.
Artisans will also be trained on various bamboo processing machines like cross cutter, slicer, node remover and splitter which have been installed at the Common Facility Center here. The training organisers said that the institute is in this way promoting a sustainable method of livelihood for villagers and small scale manufacturers.