BAMBOO AND ASSAM

Assam is rich in sylvan resources and most of its forests are richly stocked with bamboo and cane of various species. Bamboo is a raw material of great versatility and forms an integral part of the lifestyle and economy of Assam. Special mention may however be made of the forests of Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong, Nagaon and North Lakhimpur districts.  The important species of bamboo of economic value are the Bhaluka bamboo (bambusa balcooa), Jati bamboo (Bambusa tulda), Muli (Melocanna bambusoides), Dalu (Teinostachyum dalloa), Khang (Dendrocalmus longispatnus), Kaligoda (Oxytenanthera nigrociliata) and Pecha (Dendrocalamus Hamilton-ii). The Muli and the Dalu have great commercial importance, the former for pulping, constructional and fencing purposes and the latter for the mat and basket industry.

North East Region stores 66% of India’s bamboo. Bamboo is cultivated in homesteads, village gardens, agricultural lands and field boundaries. In many states, farmers grow bamboo on marginal and degraded lands as well. There are hundreds of MSMEs that produces incense sticks and bamboo handicraft products. Two very large paper plants are situated in Assam that use bamboo as raw material.

There are thousands of MSMEs producing bamboo blinds, flooring, roofing, incense sticks, handicrafts, etc.