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» Preamble
| a. |
Bamboo
has played an important
part in the lives of the
people of Assam, and has
been an integral part of
the cultural, social and
economic traditions of the
State. It is a renewable
and versatile resource,
and an important component
of the wealth of Assam.
It grows in the natural
forests, and is cultivated
in homesteads, groves and
on private plantations.
It is utilized in many ways,
for housing, fencing, functional
articles, agricultural implements,
basketry, and even fuel
and food. People possess
traditional skills of working
with the material, and knowledge
of the cultivation and management
of Bamboo. Rattan is also
an important natural material
for the state of Assam.
Building on traditional
patterns of usage, it has
evolved to become the basis
for many artisans and craft
persons working on cane
furniture and craft products
for the market. |
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| b. |
Bamboo is
an essential component of
forest ecosystem. In the
hilly and mountainous areas
as well as riverbanks elsewhere
it protects the slopes from
erosion as an effective
soil binder. Bamboo forests
are also home to many endangered
wild life including a large
number of birds. For the
Wild Elephants, endangered
Hoolock Gibbons, and some
other fauna, it forms a
major part of their diet. |
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| c. |
In Assam,
even today, by far the most
important and visible uses
of bamboo are at the household
level, in every day lives
of people. Bamboo is used
extensively for house construction
(walls, flooring, roofing,
panels and partitions),
fencing, agricultural and
fishing implements, storage,
basketry, household articles
and other domestic applications
and for economic activities
such as cocoon rearing trays
in sericulture. Some households
also produce for the market
- often as independent products
for localized markets, making
storage and carrying baskets,
fishing traps agricultural
implements, seed trays,
mats and fencing material.
Sometimes they function
as subcontractors, on a
piece rate basis. These
activities are not normally
carried out as a primary
vocation, but supplement
household income, especially
in the lean season for agricultural
activities. |
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| d. |
In semi-urban
areas, another development
has taken place, in the
form of the emergence of
individual entrepreneurs,
and clusters of cane and
bamboo activity. Such groups
of craftsperson and micro-entrepreneurs
manufacture an array of
products for adjacent and
even distant markets. The
product range builds on
its functional origins,
and incorporates decorative
and non-traditional productsranging
from largely low value bamboo
basketry to expensive cane
furniture. |
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| e. |
The overwhelming
industrial use is however
still for pulp and paper.
The paper mills in the State
have a capacity of 8,00,000
tonnes per annum, met largely
from Assam, but to a lesser
extent from the neighbouring
States. Much of the bamboo
utilized in these spheres
comes from the forests through
a system of contracts, leases
and departmental operations. |
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| f. |
Bamboo was
extensively used in the
construction industry as
scaffolding, ladders and
supports. This usage is
declining, due to the increasing
use of substitutes. Similarly,
there is a perceptible decline
in the use of bamboo for
temporary structures in
cities- in the tent house,
market stall and low cost
shelter categories. Bamboo
is still, however, a widely
used material for rural,
low cost and traditional
housing. It continues to
be preferred because it
is relatively cheap, easy
to work with, and readily
available. |
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| g. |
The decline
in the availability of timber
and the emergence of new
technologies and product
options have spurred interest
in the field of wood substitutes
and composites. These include
boards of diferent types-
mat, corrugated, laminated,
particle, wafer and chip.
Some products provide promising
linkages between the organized
and unorganized sectors,
between household activity
and organized industry,
for instance resin bonded
boards made from hand woven
mats. Edible bamboo shoots,
processed for the market
represent another promising
area of economic activity. |
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| h. |
In recent
decades a number of factors
have contributed to changing
patterns of usage and demand
for bamboo and rattan. The
forests, traditional repositories
of the resources, have come
under the pressure of increasing
population and encroachment,
reduction in notified area,
and degradation of biotic
quality. Continued extraction
of bamboo for pulp and paper
to meet the demands of pulp
and paper units outside
the State, and the establishment
of paper mills within the
state has increased the
industrial demand for bamboo.
The reduction of forest
cover and the degradation
of its biotic quality have
placed stresses, in particular,
on cane (rattan) resources,
which have substantially
declined. At the same time,
the emergence and growing
popularity of synthetic
materials- plastics and
other engineered material
has led to the decline of
traditional craft and even
skill. This has adversely
impacted on the livelihoods
of artisans and bamboo workers. |
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| i. |
Despite this,
Assam continues to be relatively
well-endowed with resources
of bamboo and cane, in particular
of bamboo. With a wide range
of forest types, the state's
area continues to support
over thirty species of bamboo,
excluding exotics. Most
of these species are commercially
significant and through
new perspectives on cultivation
and management are capable
of supporting the needs
of industrial and value
added applications. |
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| j. |
Recent advances
in technology and in product
and application, development
have brought about a growing
realization that bamboo
in particular can be the
vehicle for value addition,
incremental income and employment.
It is a material that lends
itself easily to simple
processing technologies.
At the same time it is capable
of being used for high end
and high value products
and applications. |
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| k. |
The state
of Assam is uniquely positioned
to take advantage of these
advances, to utilize its
extensive natural resources,
and the legacy of skill
and knowledge harboured
by its people, to provide
for vastly enhanced economic
activity, and create opportunities
for employment and income. |
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| l. |
The 'Bamboo
and Cane Policy' of the
State of Assam is an important
step in this direction. |
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» The
Vision-Bamboo
Government
of Assam will encourage, promote
and support the development
of the bamboo sector in a comprehensive
manner, through a multidisciplinary
multidepartmental and multi-dimensional
integrated approach to provide
economic benefits to the people
of the State.
1. The objectives
of the policy are to support,
facilitate and catalyze:
| a. |
Development and implementation
of a sustainable community
based production model for
bamboo with concomitant
benefits for forest conservation |
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| b. |
Development and implementation
of an economic development
program using bamboo for
spurring industrial development |
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| c. |
Enhancing employment and
income generating opportunities
using bamboo and cane as
the prime resource |
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| d. |
Protection and preservation
of ecosystem in the hilly
areas, especially protection
of slopes and riverbanks,
and for sustained productivity.
Conservation of biodiversity,
as a large number of endangered
species use bamboo forest
as habitat and many take
it as part of their diet.
All varieties of native
bamboo species shall be
protected and germplasm
preserved. |
2. The thrust
and application areas for the
implementation of this vision
will include
| a. |
Manufacture of value added
products and applications,
such as wood and plywood
substitutes, composite rnaterial,
charcoal, activated carbon
and energy |
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| b. |
Housing and constructional
applications involving the
use of bamboo and bamboo
composite material, in the
field of low cost and mass
housing and earthquake resistant
construction |
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| c. |
Processed edible bamboo
shoot |
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| d. |
Craft, and small enterprises |
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| e. |
Resource development within
and outside forest areas
including regeneration and
conservation |
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| f. |
Capacity building in technical
institutions, universities
and colleges, to support
the intensification and
deepening of bamboo based
activity |
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| g. |
Skill upgradation and
training |
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| h. |
Dissemination of technical
and sectoral knowledge and
creation of awareness, about
the potential afforded by
bamboo and the related economic
opportunities. |
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| i. |
Market analysis and support |
» The
raw material front
The Government
of Assam shall endeavour to
enhance the availability and
quality of bamboo, and provide
a facilitating and enabling
environment for the cultivation,
extraction and movement of bamboo
to industries, craft groups
and other users.
1. The Government
of Assam shall:
| a. |
Review the access and
regulatory regime for the
cultivation, harvesting
and movement of bamboo,
including the system of
transit permits, and the
felling and extraction rules
in forest areas, taking
into account the fact that
it is a grass and a renewable
resource, and the need to
develop and promote its
usage, in particular for
value added applications. |
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| b. |
Take steps to improve
the quality, productivity
and outturn of bamboo
from forest areas through
development of plant material
capabilities, adoption of
intensive management and
input approaches, scientific
management of forest based
bamboo resources, systematic
and block plantation of
commercially significant
species and improved harvesting
and post harvest practices |
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| c. |
Encourage non-Government
and entrepreneur based plantation
on private land, homesteads,
and wasteland through provision
of extension services, induction
of quality plant material
and Other forms of support |
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| d. |
Promote the up gradation,
acquisition and dissemination
of knowledge and practices
for the bamboo sector, through
involvement of research
institutions, universities
and colleges, Government
agencies, NGOs, communities,
users, and link them with
national/ international
resource agencies and institutions |
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| e. |
Take steps to update existing
management practices based
on end use and to down-stream
the same to the communities |
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| f. |
Establish Bambusetum at
least at two locations in
the State |
2. The Government
of Assam shall
| a. |
Review the feasibility
and desirability of declaring
bamboo as a horticultural
crop, to encourage the systematic
plantation and management
of bamboo resources. |
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| b. |
Encourage and support
the development of bamboo
markets and the developmentof
grading systems for raw
bamboo. |
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| c. |
Develop and encourage
maturity making systems
at the cultivator level. |
» The
Vision - Cane (Rattan)
The Government
of Assam will promote and support
the Cane (Rattan) sector through
a programme of conservation
and development of the rattan
resources of the States, and
through support to the craft
and small enterprise users of
cane (rattan).
| 1. |
The Government
of Assam shall encourage
value addition in cane (rattan)
based handicrafts through
improved processing, product
diversification, design
development and enhanced
shelf life. |
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| 2. |
The Government
of Assam shall: |
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a. |
Establish at least two
cane(rattan) plantations,
to be managed under scientific
practices, to enhance the
availability of rattan for
users over a period of time. |
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b. |
Set up a system of gene
pool conservation of rattan
resources |
» Bringing
in Assam's strength- the community
and the people
The role of
the government in achieving
the above objectives would be
that of a facilitator and promoter
of activities in each of the
areas outlined in the approach.
The strategic direction and
thrust would be provided by
the Government while the community
and the private sector would
be the implementors of the strategy.
| 1. |
Bamboo provides subsistance
and livelihood security
to communities and it is
a part of the cultural,
social and economic traditions
of the State. A community
based development approach
would be adopted for the
sector though active participation
and involvement of communities
under Joint Forest Management
(JFM), under cluster cooperatives
of artisans, and other mechanisms.
Panchayati Raj Institutions
would also be involved in
promotion and development
of bamboo and cane. |
» The
Market
The Assam
Bamboo and Cane Policy is predicated
on the adoption of market-led
community based development
and demand driven approaches.
1. The Government
of Assam shall.
| a. |
Take effective steps for
developing local manufacturing
capability to encourage
local demand and, in turn,
increase the effective demand
for raw material, and the
returns to cultivators. |
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| b. |
Support plantation on
priority of commercially
significant species of bamboo
and rattan. |
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| c. |
Involve the community
in decision making for resource
generation and management,
and review state regulatory
mechanism that inhibit such
people and community centred
participation. |
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| d. |
Promote market led stimulation
of bamboo growing as an
economic activity by easing
existing regulations relating
to trade and movement of
bamboo to ensure appropriate
income generation to growers
and extractors. |
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| e. |
Provide market linkages,
information and support
to commercial units based
on bamboo and cane products
in different applications
segments. |
» Management
of bamboo flowering
Immediate
steps would be taken to tackle
ongoing bamboo flowering of
Muli (Melocanna bambusoides)
in South Assam (Barak valley
and Hill districts) and other
species in different areas.
1. These steps
would include:
| a. |
Covering maximum area
under plantation program,
preferably with superior
bamboo species having industrial
usage and applications provided
that plantation of superior
bamboo species for industrial
usage should pe done after
examining its possible effect
on local species and also
other ecological aspects.
Introduction of exotic species
in large scale should be
avoided at any cost. Moreover,
natural Muli bamboo areas
in the wild should not be
disturbed by such plantations.
Main thrust areas should
be private and homestead
plantations, and also some
select areas under JFM.
Muli profusely grows under
natural condition in southern
Assam but not in upper Assam
or westerm Assam, which
itself indicates that it
has a major role in the
ecosystem in that region.
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| b. |
Protection of flowered
areas against fire and grazing
to ensure establishment
of profuse regeneration. |
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| c. |
Harvesting/removal of
flowering culms up to the
extent silviculturally available
which will reduce fire hazards
and will also develop potential
for large scale economic
usage such as power generation,
pulp production and mat
weaving etc. |
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| d. |
Documentation and cohort
mapping of flowered areas |
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| e. |
Ex-situ conservation of
different cohorts; |
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| f. |
Rodent pest management
in affected areas of flowering |
» Research
and Development
The focus
of research and development
would be to improve existing
seedlings & nursery practices,
packages of practices and site
management practices for different
end use applications of bamboo
and cane.
| a. |
The Government of Assam
shall take steps to promote
linkages between research
institutions within the
state, amongst themselves,
and with other such institutions
in the country and outside. |
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| b. |
The Government of Assam
shall disseminate information
on technologies, products
and applications, and set
up a Bamboo Technology Park
at appropriate locations
in the State to facilitate
effective lab to land transfer.
It shall carry out disseminations
of technology through campaigns
involving extension activities,
media support, exhibitions
and a programme of demonstrations. |
» The
implantation mechanism
An Assam Bamboo
and Cane Development Agency
(ABCD) will be constituted to
promote and support the integrated
development of the bamboo and
cane sector in the State.
| a. |
The Assam Bamboo and Cane
Development Agency (ABCD)
would be constituted by
the Government of Assam
as an autonomous, professionally
managed nonprofit organization.
It would be headed by a
Chairman with a technical
and professional background
and experience. The Chairman
would be assisted by a small
group of subject and technical
experts with professional
experience relevant to the
tasks of the Agency. |
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| b. |
ln the period before establishment
and operationalization of
the Agency, a core group
would be constituted in
the Planning and Development
Department, consisting of
representatives on deputation
from the Industries, Forests
and Agriculture Departments,
to carry out the tasks to
be assigned later to the
Agency. |
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| c. |
A Cane & Bamboo Development
Institute (CBDI) would be
established in the State,
and managed by the ABCD.
It will be developed as
a demand driven center of
excellence for extension
and training in bamboo and
cane to ensure realization
of their economic, social
and environmental potential
in the State as well as
in the North-East. The proposed
Institute would ensure networking,
transfer, adaptation and
dissemination of technology
as well as capacity building
in related sub-segments
of bamboo and cane development.
It would also carry out
application oriented research
in relevant fields. |
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| d. |
Funding support would
be sought from the Government
of India, the North-East
Council and other bodies
for the establishment of
the Institute and related
activities. |
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| e. |
The Government of Assam
will endeavour to provide
funds for the development
of the sector through the
levy of a cess, set as a
proportion of the royalty
payable on the extraction
of bamboo from forest areas. |
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| f. |
The resources realized
from this cess shall be
utilized to support the
functioning of the ABCD,
the Cane & Bamboo Development
Institute, and the creation
of a corpus of funds to
be managed by the ABCD to
support projects in the
Government, non-governmental,
community and private sectors
to develop the bamboo and
cane sectors. |
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| g. |
Projects taken up from
resources available in this
corpus shall be selected
and approved by an Advisory
Committee constituted by
the ABCD, and consisting
of technical personnel. |
» Acts
and Rules
| 1. |
Existing regulations applicable
for Bamboo and Cane (Rattan)
development sector would
be reviewed and revised,
to the extent possible,
to suit the objectives and
strategies out-lined under
the policy. |
» Monitoring
| 1. |
The Assam Cane and Bamboo
Policy shall be implemented
through appropriate action
plans and implementation
programmes for each strategic
segment to be development
by the concerned Department
of the State Government. |
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| 2. |
A State Level Advisory
Committee (SLAC) of the
Bamboo and Cane Development
would be formed under the
Chairmanship of the Chief
Secretary. The committee
would monitor on a bi-annual
basis the progress of action
plans and implementation
programmes for each strategic
segment. |
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| 3. |
The Committee would also
ensure that existing regulations
applicable for Bamboo and
Cane (Rattan) development
sector are revised to achieve
the objects of the policy. |
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