PASIGHAT, Oct 8: The State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) has organized an awareness programme on cane propagation cultivation and management at Mebo Forest Range Office under Pasighat Forest Division recently.
Inaugurating the training, Pasighat DFO, Tabang Jamoh said that, canes play a vital role in growth of the state’s economy. It is mainly used for furniture making, construction purposes and handicraft items.
There are 18 species of canes in Arunachal Pradesh, but no proper attention is given so far for development of this sector. He emphasized on commercial cultivation of canes for sustainable utilization and proper conservation either by the government or by the public.
Systematic Botanist of SFRI, Dr L R Bhuyan informed that cane is an important natural resource and it is widely used by all the people of Arunachal Pradesh for different purposes. It is collected from wild habitat only, he said and expressed apprehension that some cane species may go extinct due to over exploitation.
Dr Bhuyan also gave a PowerPoint presentation on cane propagation, cultivation and management. He described about the increasing demand of cane furniture and other items in the national and international markets.
K S Rab of SFRI highlighted the techniques of nursery development, its importance and management of seeds and seedlings.
Head Gaon Burah, Tong Tayeng and Gaon Burah, M Megu also spoke on the importance of cane and availability of cane during the 19th and 20th centuries at Pasighat area.
ASM, Upok Tatan spoke on importance of cane cultivation for commercial use and conservation. Tatan urged the government for financial assistance for raising plantations.
In his address, Range Forest Officer, Obang Tayeng requested SFRI to organize such trainings in future also for awareness of public and skill development of the field staff.
About 40 persons, including ASMs, gaon burahs, public from Mebo and all forest officials from Pasighat Forest Division and Mebo Range participated in the training.
The training was organized under State CAMPA 2014-15 programme.
One hectare demo plantation of cane has been also established in the Mebo Range under this programme.
