The Department of Life Science MU professor Ksh Lal Bihari on Wednesday stressed on the potential of mass bamboo cultivation in boosting economic growth as well as saving the biodiversity of Manipur.
He was speaking as guest of honour during a workshop on ‘Rejuvenation of Farm Economy and Environment through afforestation’ that was organised by the United Committee Manipur (UCM) at its Lamphelpat office in Imphal West.
Bihari informed that the intake of carbon-dioxide and release of oxygen by a bamboo plant is 30 per cent more than other plants.
He stressed on the various applications of bamboo in the day to day activities, and said that it can be used to produce high quality fabric, replace the wooden furniture, foods, medicines, charcoal, disposable utensils, cosmetics, construction material and many others.
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In fact, bamboo is a great and a fastest growing cash crop, he said, apprising the public to stop the dream of earning money by planting big trees.
Environment degradation and global warming is an international issue, he said. It is the duty of everyone to contribute their best to save the natural biodiversity as oxygen is essential for life, he added.
Speaking as the president, UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam said that Manipur was once a self-sustained state, but it is now relying on products from outside at the expense of a large amount of the state economy.
To stop the import of goods from outside, the people of Manipur need to first make the state become self-sufficient starting from food production, he asserted. On the other hand, the biodiversity of the state has been affected at large due to rapid deforestation, he added.
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Concerning the large scale of poppy cultivation in some hill areas by cutting down of forest, he said that poppy plantation leads to environment degradation and lead to establishment of illegal drug laboratories in the state which also is a major factor behind easy availability of drugs.
It is the need of the hour to cultivate various cash crops on a large scale to improve the economy as well as save the environment or else Manipur will move backwards day by day, he said.
He encouraged all the farmers of the state to give their best in uplifting the economy and saving the environment. UCM will extend all possible aid to the farmers, he added.
After the workshop, saplings of cash crops such as kwa, litchi, cashew nut and bamboo were distributed to 30 farmers from various districts for cultivation.
The programme was also attended by consultant of UCM H Iboitombi Khuman as chief guest and consultant of UCM Khomdram Ratan as guest of honour.
