Bamboo handicraft units to be set up in three Maha varsities

Maharashtra Forests Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has directed setting up of Bamboo Handicraft and Art Units (BHAU) in three universities from August 1, with a view to boost employment opportunities.

Recently, a meeting was chaired to start these units by Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of universities C Vidyasagar Rao.

In a review meeting held today, the minister directed establishment of the units at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Sant Gadgebaba Amravati University, and Mahatma Phule Agricultural University in Rahuri.

"University campuses should be a center for employment generation. Once these units start functioning, self employment opportunities will be provided by training students in coordination with the Mudra Scheme," Mungantiwar said.

Keeping in view the special significance of bamboo in the regions where the varsities are located, a bamboo dictionary should be prepared for providing details of the species of bamboo, their uses, and various other things made from them.

"The Bamboo Research and Training center should be inspected by these three universities before May 20 in order to start these units. They should provide support for preparing the curriculum," Mungantiwar said.

He said the units will cost approximately Rs 35 lakh and the funds will be made available to the universities by the District Planning Committee.

"The funds will be made available to them through supplementary demands in July. Universities should start primary preparations," he said.