State to increase bamboo plantations

Hyderabad: The State government has taken a decision to increase bamboo plantations whose eco-friendly produce can be used as an alternative to plastic. This will be part of the Haritha Haram programme as well, towards increasing the green cover across the State. 

During a meeting between officials of Forest Department and Bamboo Society of India held on Thursday, it was decided to encourage bamboo farming in the State, which not only provides environment friendly products, but also helps farmers and craftsmen with employment opportunity and revenue generation. 

In view of lifting of sanctions by the Central government on produce of bamboo, the State government is considering the idea and a team of Forest officials will also be visiting other States to study the feasibility, as per the instructions of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. 

The meeting was attended by National Governing Council Vice Chairman R K Mehta, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in Chief Minister's Office (CMO)Priyanka Varghese, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) PK Jha, Additional Chief Conservator of Forests RM Dobriyal and other officials.