The use of bamboo has increased as an alternative to valuable woods like Sal, Piasal, Shaguan and Shishu that are not available easily now due to depletion of forest resources. Hence, it would be wise to create more and more bamboo forests for checking carbon dioxide, creating household articles, paper and cloths, using as timber and meeting needs in agriculture works. Nowadays, bamoo is also being used for preparation of electronic goods, sports items and bio plastic. Similarly, bamboo is also being used for making of furniture for use in both households and offices.
Now, China has emerged number-one exporter of bamboo items. The neighouring country is using bamboo in making cycles, helmets, spectacle frames and watch bands and exporting those items to foreign countries. “Even as bamboo is being produced in 12.8 per cent of forest area and 125 categories of bamboo are available in our country now, still we have not been self-sufficient in meeting our needs. We are importing many usable goods made of bamboo from foreign countries. When efforts are being made to produce good quality and fast-growing bamboos though tissue culture and gene-changing methods globally, our country should be committed to make such efforts,” viewed noted speakers at a seminar organised by the Orissa Environment Society her on Sunday.
The programme presided over by former OUAT Vice-Chancellor Debi Prasad Ray was graced by Odisha Bamoo Development Authority Project Director and State Medicinal Plant Board Chief Executive Officer Surendra Prasad Mohapatra as chief speaker. Mohapatra made a video presentation, showing how quality products are being manufactured in a factory in Tripura using bamboo. He informed that the Odisha Government has a plan to set up such an industry. Former MoEF Director Dr VP Uppaddhyaya said bamboo absorbs 35 per cent more carbon dioxide compared to other trees and they can resolve greenhouse effects. Former Health Director Dr Seba Mohapatra narrated how rural people live on bamboo.
At the outset, OES Secretary Dr Jayakrushna Panigrahi delivered welcome address. Guests and OES members observed a one-minute silent for the departed soul of former Utkal University Vice-Chancellor Prof Satyananda Acharya.