2006, October 12: The three-day Indo-Bhutan Bamboo exhibition opened today below the Trade office in the capital. With the theme Bamboo- an alternative to wood, the exhibition is expected to create awareness among people on the multiple use of bamboo and its importance as a substitute to timber.

Speaking at the opening, the agriculture minister, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, revealed that Bhutan cut down over two hundred and thirty six thousand cubic feet of timber for hoisting prayer flags alone between 2002 and 2004. He said bamboo culture was not new in Bhutanese society. He added that Bhutan needed to take it out of farms and commercialize it.

The Indian ambassador to Bhutan, Sudhir Vyas, said with its wide ranging applications, bamboo production can play an important role to improve rural economy and alleviate poverty.

The Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre of India has been actively involved in training Bhutanese artisans in cane and bamboo processing, bamboo based housing, handicraft and furniture making. The director of the Centre of India, Dr. Kamesh Salam, said the exhibition would serve as a platform to exchange ideas, technologies and explore markets between the two countries.

The FDCL says it has already started plantations in the southern parts of the country. The deputy Managing Director of FDCL, Gem Tshering, said its focus at the moment would be to supply bamboo for flag post.

Some 15 farmers from Tashigang, Zhemgang, Mongar, Samtse, Tsirang, Paro and Wangdi have arrived in the capital for the first ever Indo-Bhutan Bamboo Exhibition. The three day exhibition will begin tomorrow with a theme, Bamboo-As an alternative to wood.

Sangay Wangdi,60, is from Kangpara, Trashigang. His products at the exhibition will include bamboo baskets and mats wove by himself and his family. Ap Sangay Wangdi described the exhibition as an opportunity to promote his products. I am grateful to the government for bringing me here in Thimphu free of cost to exhibit my products. These products, otherwise, will not fetch good price, he added.

Some of the farmers hope that such exhibitions will help boost their income.

Besides local bamboo products, the three day exhibition will also feature bamboo industrial products. These include construction and engineering materials, panel products, furniture, bamboo flooring boards and sheets. It will also showcase bamboo processing technologies, treatment plant and samples of different bamboo species found in Bhutan.