Till recently, bamboo has remained confined mostly to the forest (12.8% of forest area), two third of the growing stock being located in the North-Eastern States. Importance of the crop as a source of raw material for industrial and domestic use with its growing demand all over the country necessitated its cultivation in farm lands as well.
Bamboo is one of the strongest natural building materials known to man and is widely regarded as one of the most versatile grass or forest product. In countries of its natural distribution, apart from use as raw material for pulp and paper, its most extensive utilization is for construction purposes - as post, rafter, frame, partition, floor and roofing. Bamboo is not just an ideal wood substitute, it transcends wood. It comes pre-finished by nature as its culms can be used straight, without much processing.
When growing bamboo species for building, choose varieties with thicker walls, as well as a cold tolerance that relates to your area - the key is to plant a species that is capable of withstanding the coldest seasonal temperatures. Refrain from using fertilizer on the bamboo, in particular nitrogen, which leads to rapid growth and weaker poles.
North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC)
13th Mile, G.S. Road, Burnihat 781023, Assam
Email: cbtcassam@gmail.com
Phone: Please check the list of contacts here.
