Madhya Pradesh: Bamboo craft may provide employment to thousands in Rewa
Madhya Pradesh: The Rewa district administration is striving to transform its natural bamboo resources into a source of livelihood for thousands of people through bamboo-based activities, eco-friendly products, and rural entrepreneurship.
During a meeting held at the Collectorate Auditorium, Srishti Deshmukh Gowda, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zila Panchayat, emphasized the need to formulate a coordinated action plan involving the Rural Development, Village Industries, Tourism, Industrial Development, and Forest departments.
She noted that bamboo is an excellent alternative to timber and offers numerous environmental benefits. Once planted and provided with minimal care during the initial four to five years, bamboo plants can continue to yield raw material for decades.
Focus on training and market support
The plan entails surveying bamboo growers and artisans, establishing initial production clusters, and providing assistance with training, modern machinery, and marketing. The Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) will assist in formulating this project.
DICCI President Dr. Anil Sirvaiya cited a successful initiative in Harda district, where over 1,200 entrepreneurs have been provided with training and modern equipment to manufacture bamboo utensils and decorative items.
Bamboo has already been included in Rewa's 'One District, One Product' initiative; consequently, officials view this as an opportunity to promote sustainable products, strengthen self-employment, and generate new jobs across the region.