North-East imprint on Chhattisgarh bamboo art

Bamboo products will receive greater attention in Chhattisgarh. The crafted products will also be showcased in national and international markets.

Under the National Bamboo Mission, massive bamboo plantation campaign has taken place in the state. According to officials, Chhattisgarh had been in a position to produce 5 million bamboos per annum. The state government has aimed to use the forest produce for commercial use.

"There is a huge potential in the national and international market for the artifacts prepared from bamboo," Chief Minister Raman Singh said, while addressing a review meeting of forest department. The state government would draw an action plan to trap the potential and encourage villagers for bamboo cultivation that would increase their income, he added.

Under the plan, the chief minister directed the officials to invite master trainers from Assam and Tripura to give training to the local artists. This would help the local artists to work on new designs beside give more finish to the product and thereby increasing the quality of bamboo art.

Chhattisgarh has major bamboo cultivation in Bastar region with tribals engaged in both production and thereafter value addition. The Narayanpur Bamboo Project, affiliated to the National Bamboo Mission, is a joint venture of the department of rural development and the Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board that has set up facility in Narayanpur district that manufactures fascinating artifacts.

In a sprawling campus, the Bamboo Project housed worksheds with state-of-the-art machinery and accommodation for artisans. It has a seasoning and drying machine, so that the furniture and decorative items produced were of the highest quality. The Narayanpur Bamboo Project also conducts regular skill upgradation workshops within their campus.

To add attraction and make the product competitive at the international market, experts from Assam and Tripura would train the local artists. The bamboo arts of the North East had gained fame throughout the world.