FREE THE BAMBOO
A Conference to Review Existing Policies in India
Bamboo represents a vast untapped major resource of many Indian States whose full ecological and economic potentials remain underutilized; it needs to be recognized, developed and promoted in a manner ensuring ecological security for all round sustainable development of the State and well- being of its people. The eco friendly Bamboo crop has immense potential in improving rural economy, industrial development and a sound economic base for the state on sustained basis.But the change over from traditional use to a modern use tracking a high potential growth path in an eco-friendly manner needs a clear vision, an appropriate policy framework and a road map. It is therefore crucial that we connect bamboo enthusiasts, professionals and policy makers on all things related to bamboo.
OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE:
Jeevika is dedicated to promoting the use of bamboo and bamboo products for the sake of the environment and the economy. Although the primary objective of the conference is to review existing policies to map a clear road map for its development, the conference will for the first time provide a platform for:
-connecting and stimulating dialog between researchers, entrepreneurs, industrialists, ecologists, and policy makers to create new partnerships
-highlighting the gap between supply and demand, need and fulfillment, producer and consumer problem
-sharing information on state-of-the-art in bamboo science, technology and industry globally
-showcasing unique case studies, both national and international
-highlighting innovative solutions an policy reform ideas to address existing challenges
CONFERENCE DETAIL:
Date: 12/13 August 2009 (18 September 2009 is being celebrated
as World Bamboo Day)
Venue: ASSOCHAM / India Habitat Centre
Time: 3:00 – 5:45 pm
On the panel
-Representative from National Bamboo Mission/ Planning Commission
-Industry representative
-Representative from the Forest Ministry
-Representative from the Supreme Court
Delegates of the conference (50 pax)
-Chief ministers, resident commissioners in Delhi: Orissa, Andra Pradesh, Jharkahnd, Gujarat, Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Sikkim, Arunachal, Kerela, Uttaranchal
-Official from National Steering Committee (NSC) and National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
-Honorable Union and State Ministers and officials: Forests, and Horticulture
-Representatives from the Supreme Court and planning commission officials
-Private plantation heads
-Researchers, filmmakers and NGO’s working on Bamboo
-Industry leaders and tribal community heads
-Media
Program Flow
Program3:00 - 3:15 / Registration
3:15 - 3:20 / Welcome Address
3:20 - 3:30 / Documentary snippets - Hollow Cylinder by NandanSaxena
3:30 - 3:35 / Malvika / Nandanmoderates the session
3:35 - 3:50 / Speaker 1
3:50 - 4:05 / Speaker 2
4:05 - 4:20 / Speaker 3
4:20 - 5:15 / Open Forum
5:15 - 5:20 / Closing Remarks
5:20 - 5:45 / Hi tea
Hollow Cylinder: A synopsis
(English / 0:23:50 /9th July 2007 / North East India/ NandanSaxena / KavitaBahl)
The making of the Hollow Cylinder was partly triggered by the controversy amongst India's Foresters and Policy-makers on whether Bamboo was a tree or a grass.This confusion led to a muddled up policy - bracketing a grass with the trees and shackling it for fifty years or more. Little wonder then if the livelihood potential of Bamboo has largely been unutilised in India.
When we place this policy-lapse in the context of the lack of employment opportunities in the rural non-farm sector in India, we realise how policies impact lives. Bamboo grows easily in most parts of India, barring the arid regions like Rajasthan and Ladakh. There are pockets with abundant Bamboo forests. The irony is that these are the pockets that are known for extreme poverty.
The Bamboo map and poverty map of India look the same. Our country has a strong tradition and legacy of skill and craft. The resource is there, so is the skill... and yet, the poor remain poor.
Bamboo is not a material that transports well because it traps air and moisture.This challenge is also an opportunity to create avenues of employment in farflung areas, where it is otherwise difficult to create sustainable livelihoods.
This hollow cylinder could have transformed millions of lives.However, the potential of this hollow cylinder remains locked up somewhere in the corridors of power.