MANIPUR AT A GLANCE

Location:

Manipur is located in the north eastern part of the country and lies between 93.20°E to 94.47°E to 94.47°E longitude and between 23.5°N to 25.41°N latitude. It has an area of 22327 Sq.Km. making it one of the smaller states of India . It is bordered by the state of Nagaland to the north, Assam to the west, Mizoram to the south-west and Myanmar to south and the east. The capital is Imphal. The name Manipur means “ Land of Gems ” like other north eastern states, it is largely isolated from the rest of India . Its economy centres on agriculture and forestry and there is lively activities in trade and cottage industries.

Physiography:

The state of Manipur has two major physiographic regions, the Manipur river valley and a larage tract of surrounding mountainous landmass.The valley covering an area of 1787 Sq. Km, runs north south and lies at an elevation of 792 m. Its main physical feature is the Logtak Lake spreading over an area of about 104 Sq. Km. which is the source of Manipur river. Logtak is the largest freshwater lake in the north east India . The Manipur river flows southwards through the valley into Myanmar where it joins the Myitha river, a tributary of the Chindwin .

The hill ranges connected by spurs and ridges run generally north-south. These ranges include the Naga Hills to the north, the east Manipur hills along the eastern Myanmar border, the Mizo and China Hills to the south and the west Manipur hills to the west. The average elevation vary between 1524 m to 1829 m, although the hills in north rise to more than 2896 m. The ridges are separated by deep valleys forming curves and coils. The slopes varies from 15 to 30 per cent. Further nearly 1800 Sq.Km. hill areas have slopes varies from 15 to 30 percent. Further nearly 1800 Sq.Km. hill areas have slopes more than 30 percent.

In the west the Surma river known as the Barak river in Manipur has cut a narrow, steep-sided valley through the west Manipur hills as it flows through the Barak Valley of Assam to join the Meghna river in Bangladesh . The river rises from the north eastern peaks (2700m) of Manipur, about 5 Km east of village Ugeme. Further down this river forms the inter-state boundary with Nagaland. Its drainage basin forms a narrow strip stretching north east to south-west covering an area of 3865 Sq.Km. of Manipur state.

The hills are densely covered with mixed forests containing stands of bamboo and teak. Other trees include oak, magnolia. The Luzon pine grows in Naga hills . Animal life includes the Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard and wild buffalo. The rhinoceros is hunted for its horms which when ground is valued as an aphrodisiac. The brow-antlered deer is in danger of extinction.

Climate: The climate is temperate in the valley and cold in the hills.

Rainfall:

The number of rainy-days is about 18 in each of June, July and August and about 14 in September. About 80% of the total rainfall in Manipur comes during these months. The annual rainfall in Manipur is about 1700 mm. The occurance of short rainless, sunny and hot periods in between the two spells of rainfall is a common feature of this season.

The People:

About two-thirds of the people on the Meithei who occupy the Manipur valley and are largely Hindus. Meithei women conduct most of the trade in the valley and enjoy high social status.

Immigrants for long, the Naga inhabit one of the sections of Manipur’s hill areas. Relatively recent immigrants from the pre-colonial era, the Kuki-Chin also inhabit in the hills.

Hindus constitute about 60% of the population followed by Christians 29.68 and Muslim 6.99%. The majority of Hindus are Vaishnavites belonging to the Meithei tribe.

Language spoken are Manipuri, English and a number of tribal dialects like Kuki-Chin, and Kuki-Naga and Meithei branch of Kukish.

The Economy:

Agriculature and forestry are the main sources of income. Rice grown in 72 percent of the area are the major crop, and the rich soil also supports maize (1.79 percent), Sugarcane, Mustard, Tobacco, Fruits, Vegetables and pulses like peas and beans. Terracing is common in the hills, where the tribes plough the ground with hand hoes. Among some of the hill tribes, domestic animals are kept only for meat and are not milked or used for hauling. Irrigation is provided by canals. The Naga are known to use intoxicants to catch fish. Annual fish catch is about 7500 tonnes valued at Rs.5,00,000/-. The recorded forest area as per 1997 FSI report is 17418 Sq.Km. which is 78 percent of the area of the state. Teak and bamboo are major forest products. The total forest cover is alarminingly in decreasing trend, which decreased from 17418 Sq. Km. in 1997 to 16926 Sq. Km. in 2001 which again rise to 17219 sq.km in 2003.

Manufacturing is limited to several well-established cottage industries. The designed cloth produced in handlooms is in high demand through out India & abroad, other industries include sericulture, manufacture of bamboo and cane articles, soap making, carpentry and tanning. As in other states of N.E. Region Manipur remains somewhat isolated from rest of India and communications within the state are also poor. A national highway passes through the state from Tamu on the Myanmar Border on the south via Imphal to Dimapur in Nagaland in the north. This high way also connects the capital town of Imphal , with the North East-Frontier Railway near Dimapur.

The earliest recorded history of Manipur goes back only to 900 AD and has been relatively independent of its neighbouring areas. This territory was associated with India through the Treaty of Yandoboo at the end of Indo-Burmise war in 1826 sovereignty was recognized in 1891 and was administered by Raja or King. With the accession of Manipur to India in 1947, it became a Union Territory and ultimately attained statehood on 21st July, 1972 .

Some basic data abut the state of Manipur are as under:

Total Geographical Area : 22327 Sq.Km.

Total Rural Population : 18,18,224

as per 2001 Census

(a) Male : 9,23,428

(b) Female : 8,94,796

Total Urban Population : 5,70,410

(a) Male : 2,83,910

(b) Female : 2,86,500

Total Population below Poverty Line : 7.19 Lakhs (28.54%)

Percentage of Urban Population : 23.88

Child between six years : 3,12,691

Male : 1,59,448

Female : 1,53,243

Literacy rate : 14,29,656 (59.85%)

Women literate : 6,13,712

Male literate : 8,15,944

Density of population : 107

Infrastructure:

Roads (As on 2003) : 11434 Km

Railway route length : 1.35 Km

Railway route density per : 0.06 Km per thouand Sq. Km.

thousand Sq. Km. in 2004

No. of Airports : 1 (one) Imphal

Per capita consumption of

Electricity in 2002-03 : 206.37 Kwh.

Social Infrastructure:

No. of Towns (as per 2001 Census) : 32

No. of Districts : 9

No. of Government Hospitals : -

No. of Post Office : 691

No. of Bank branches (As on 31-3-05 ): 79

Amount of Deposit (in Crores) : Rs.1047.74 Crores

(As on 31-3-05 )

Amount of Advances (in Crores) : Rs.495.30 Crores

(As on 31-3-05 )

Credit Deposit Ratio (As on 31-3-05 ) : 47.27

Major Industries/Crops/Minerals : Industries exploration and refining of Petroleum, Coal, Saw Plywood & Veneer Mills, Lime, Paper, Handloom & Handicrafts (Bamboo & Cane), Sericulture, Brass & Bell metal. Crops: Tea, Rice, Jute, Cotton, Oil seeds, Sugarcane.

Total Holding Pattern –

(i) Whether Forest Land owned by individual : Nil

(ii) Format land owned by the Government : 17,418

Total No. of major river: 6 (six) : Name of River

I. Barak

II. Imphal

III. Iril

IV. Nambool

V. Thoubal

VI. Irang

Total Nos. of National High Ways : Name of Highway Total Length

I. NH- 53

957 Km.

II. NH-59

Total Nos. of PWD Roads –

I. Total Nos. : N.A.

II. Total lengths : 6215 Km

No. of Industrial Estates - : Takyel Industrial Estate

I. Locations Name : Takyelpat

II. Total Area : 44915 Sq.Km

III. No. of Shed : 40

IV. Occupied : 40

V. Vacant : Nil

VI. Power Positions : Not adequate

VII Present Status : The estate is in poor condition. The physical infrastructure is poor requiring major repairing. The south eastern part of the estate is flood affected during rainy season. The drainage system need proper construction.

Total Power Scenario:

Total Power Generation in the state : 6.67 Kwh

Power availability : 4482.48 Kwh.

Peak Demand : 156 MW

Total Nos. of District : 9

Total number of villages : 2391

Name of District No. of Villages

(1) Senapati 625

(2) Tamenglong 171

(3) Churachandpur 546

(4) Chandel 361

(5) Ukhrul 198

(6) Imphal East 204

(7) Imphal West 134

(8) Bishnupur 49

(9) Thoubal 103

Total : 2391

Un-employment Scenario – : 4,09,652 Registered as upto 2004 placement nil as recorded as on 2004.

Total area under forest – : 16,92,600 Hectare

Name of District Area under Forest (in hectare)

(i) Senapati 3271 Sq. Km.

(ii) Ukhrul 4544 ,,

(iii) Churachandpur 4488 ,,

(iv) Tamenglong 4063 ,,

(v) Jiribam 495 ,,

(vi) Chandel 3319 ,,

(vii) Thoubal 514 ,,

(viii) Bishnupur 496 ,,

(ix) Imphal 1043 ,,

Total bamboo grown area under forest : 3,69,200 Hectare

Name of the District Bamboo Grown Area

under forest (in Hectare)

(i) Senapati 130.00 Sq.Km

(ii) Ukhrul 125.40 ,,

(iii) Churachandpur 1337.06 ,,

(iv) Tamenglong 1159.24 ,,

(v) Jiribam 478.38 ,,

(vi) Chandel 442.59 ,,

(vii) Thoubal 10.00 ,,

(viii) Bishnupur 8.00 ,,

(ix) Imphal 7.00 ,,

Total Bamboo Cultivation area under forest – 1550 Hectare

(a) Name of the District / Forest area under cultivation (in Hectare)

(i) District-wise break up is not available in the forest department.

(ii) FDA Project is in operation in 4 divisions ( X plan)

Name of various species of bamboo :

Scientific Name Local Name

Melocanna baccifera Moubiwa

Bambusa tulda Sanaibi

Bambusa vulgaris Chingsanaibi

Dendrocalamus hamiltonni Wanap

Dendrocalamus strictus Unanmanbi

MANIPUR BAMBOO POLICY, 2005

Vision Statement:

Bamboo has been consistently serving jas a dependable tool for ecological and livelihood security of Manipur since time immemorial. Besides springing an instant green cover to the innumerable bald “Jhum” patches in the hill slopes, it has meandered into the daily life of both rich and poor through its variety of forms and uses. Till recently dubbed as the poor man’s timer it has stood by the people of both hill and valley through thick and thin. However, due to the tremendous limitations and constraints associated with the region in general and bamboo resource in particular, which are gradually being fully addressed, this prized crop still continues to be utilized at a subsistence level only. In spite of the fact of the magnificent abundance of bamboo in the state, its share in the trade and commerce of bamboo-products is rather abysmal. Clearly there is a great deal of room for new initiatives and enterprises.
Bamboo is a versatile material which has been short-listed during the 10th Plan for major growth and initiatives. Pushing the frontiers of knowledge, bamboo laminates are emerging as wood substitutes for use as tiles, furniture and floorings. Bamboo mat boards are good replacement for plywood, boards and panels. As a plant it saves environment and stabilizes soil. As a biomass it produces electricity and as a food it can earn foreign exchange.
The growing realization of immense possibilities and potentialities intrinsically associated with bamboos has stirred a lot of hopes and aspirations in the minds of common people. National Bamboo Mission has been launched to address the gamut of issues pertaining to development of bamboo in the country, especially in the North-East. Neighbouring states in the region have already started taking advantage of the opportunity and gone ahead with bamboo development for income and employment. Living up to the expectation, the State Government has seized the opportunity to prepare a road map for bamboo development so as to accommodate the rising aspirations of the common man. But, before launching the project for a long sustained growth, it is worth while to take stock of the resources and situations. The loopholes and bottlenecks in bamboo scene along with the strengths and attributes associated with its as a raw material have to be addressed simultaneously with the opening of new vistas.
In recent times there is a clear swing in favour of bamboo from a ‘Poor man’s Timber’ to a ‘miracle plant’ to ‘Green Gold’ – as acknowledged by the Prime Minister of the country. The entire nation is getting geared up to develop bamboo as a resource as well as an enterprise. It is fortuitous for Manipur along with the whole of North-East Region to take full advantage of this rare opportunity in order to achieve economic boom and ecological security. The natural and human resources of the state are to work with synergy to make the dream fruitful.
In the above background, the formulation of a Bamboo Policy for the Manipur State in order to give fillip to Bamboo Development in the State was felt utmost essential.

OBJECTIVES

In order to accomplish the broad vision of Bamboo Development envisaged in the state, the formulation of a Bamboo Policy was felt imperative with the following short term and long term objectives.

Short Term Objectives:

Mainly to address issues likely to arise from the imminent gregarious flowering of bamboos in the state –

1. Effectively dealing with the problems of Rodent menace in the event of gregarious flowering of bamboos in the state.

2. Take up maximum possible harvesting of bamboos before the onset of flowering.

3. Rehabilitation of bamboo flowering areas with suitable species.

4. Control of forest fire in the aftermath of bamboo flowering.

5. Addressing the health issues associated with possible famine.

Long Term Objective:

Mainly to address the issues of ecological sustainability and livelihood security of the state including –

Mapping and inventorization of bamboo resources of the state.
Conserving the bio-diversity of the resource base.
Enhancing the productivity and production base of the resources.
Enabling training, tools, and other mechanical productivity, consolidation, distribution and marketing channels.

Developing value addition in handicrafts through improved processing, product diversification, design development and enhanced shelf life to produce quality products.

Establishing bamboo industrial products as an economic and successful new Industrial Sub-Sector. This includes developing Small Scale Industries (SSIs) and also medium-scale operations based on bamboo such as Bamboo Mat Board (BMBs), Bamboo Laminates, Bamboo Ply, Bamboo flooring and Bamboo Shoot Processing, etc.
Developing the necessary market mechanism with support towards promotion and marketing of finished products.

Popularizing bamboo as a cost-effective and earthquake resistant building material for housing.
Arranging Financial Resources as may be necessary to achieve the above objectives.

Setting up monitoring facilities and systems for the tuning the devised plans and ensuring their effectiveness.

STRATEGY

Mapping and Inventorization of Bamboo Resources:

Taking into account the hilly and inaccessible terrains in the State, the mapping of bamboo growing areas would be carried out through remote sensing applications. For this purpose the expertise of competent organizations like Forest Survey of India, Manipur Remote Sensing Application Centre, etc. has to be roped in.

Along with mapping of all bamboo growing areas, cohort mapping of bamboo flowering has also be carried out in association with appropriate technical bodies.

Detailed inventory of bamboo resources forest and outside would be carried out by Forest Department by involving an appropriate technical organization having skill and manpower.

Harvesting of Bamboo:

Although there is no detailed survey till date to assess the growing stock of bamboo resources, still earlier records indicate the availability of huge untapped resources in the state. Present rate of harvesting by local villagers to meet their domestic requirements and other needs seems to be very low vis-à-vis the available resources. In view of imminent bamboo flowering in the state ‘mahal’ system has been introduced in bamboo rich areas in order to expedite the harvesting. The efficacy of the system need to be reviewed at an interval of every three years and remedial measures incorporated to make it more and more purposeful and eco-silviculturally sound and sustainable. In view of huge bamboo stocks in the state, the possibility of granting of long term leases to Paper Mills is to be explored in a time bound manner.

With a view to manage the bamboo resources in a sustainable manner and to ensure a support base to increasing bamboo yield to meet the local need and export of bamboo and value added bamboo produces, annual bamboo harvest and yield need to be predetermined through silvicultural availability, felling regulation, seasonal requirement, market need and in consultation with all concerned and regulated so that bamboo resources are optimally harvested and used.

Rehabilitation of Bamboo Flowering Areas:

A large tract of bamboo bearing areas is likely to die out in the near future in view of imminent gregarious flowering. It is imperative to rehabilitate those areas with suitable stocks in a war footing in order to avoid ecological damages and other calamities.
An appropriate strategy as devised in the Expert consultation symposium at Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat is to be adopted to address the issues. A three pronged approach of Aided Natural Regeneration over 50% of the areas. Artificial Regeneration over 30% of the areas with industrially and economically important bamboo species and mixed broad leaved tree species plantation over 20% of the areas are to be increasingly practiced.

Propagation of Bamboo:

The shortage of bamboo planting material, a major constraint for large-scale bamboo plantation, would be addressed:

Existing use or rhizome as a planting material is not only costly but in most of the clump forming bamboos, it leads to relocation rather than development of the resources. In view of this, and where alternatives are available, the use of rhizome for field planting would be phased out in next five years.
Facilities would be developed during next few years for raising the required planting stock of identified species of bamboo through suitable macro-proliferation (if seed/seedlings are available) or a combination of rooting of culm/ branch cutting and macro-proliferation techniques.
Plant tissue culture technique for mass colonel propagation of vis. Macro-propagation of bamboo, has certain advantages in terms of very high multiplication rates, plant production throughout the year, possibilities to induce early culm formation/improved yield, and easy handling and transportation of plantlets. Accordingly, micro-propagation facility for identified bamboo species would be developed over next three years in collaboration with appropriate technical agencies.

Conservation of Resources:

Taking into account the pivotal role that the huge bamboo resources of the state could play in boosting the economic and employment opportunities, it is imperative to conserve the majestic qualitative and quantitative aspects for sustainable and long term use by the posterity. It is imperative to devise suitable and scientific management practices with due scientific and academic inputs whole down streaming the same to the end users i.e. village communities.
To ensure ex-situ conservation of bamboo resources, gene banks of different cohorts of species would be developed within next two years, which may also be used for propagation, multiplication and cultivation needs in future.

A Bambusetam, which would contain a live collection of different bamboo species, would be established, to enable local artisans, bamboo growers and farmers to get first hand information about morphological features, aesthetic properties and growth characteristics of these plants.
Immediate corrective steps would be taken to tackle ongoing bamboo flowering of Muli (Melocanna baccifera) and other species in different areas. These steps would include covering maximum area under rehabilitation programmes, protection against fire and grazing to ensure establishment of profuse regeneration which follows such flowering, harvesting/removal of such bamboo culms upto 70% to reduce fire hazards, documentation and cohort mapping including ex-situ conservation of different cohorts and rodent pest management in affected areas.

Community Participation:

Bamboo provides subsistence and livelihood security to tribals and fits into socio-economic milieu of tribal culture in the state. The knowledge and skill required for resource development and value addition are part of their tradition. These communities with scientific assistance and training support would be involved in development of the sector to revive their traditional knowledge and supporting and integrating it with modern techniques to ensure economic upliftment.
Community based development approach for the sector would be adopted through active participation and involvement of local communities under Joint Forest Management(JFM), under cluster cooperatives of artisans, and other mechanisms to ensure sustainable return to these communities. This will help achieve goals as a sense of participation and ownership will improve productivity. This has found success in various parts of the world where the productivity has shown marked improvement and the communities contribute to the larger cause economic development and the environment in the process.

Local communities would be encouraged to accelerate the Bamboo Development activities in all categories of Forests including Unclased Forests through which the immense natural resources all over the State would be brought into sound management practices and developed in the most scientific and opportunistic manner.

DEVELOPMENT OF BAMBOO AS AN INDUSTRY

Development of bamboo as an Industry shall evolve policies and action plans that will focus on the following aspects –

To create awareness among the people of the state on the uses and value of Bamboo by conducting campaign, workshop, seminar and imparting training etc.
To promote and develop traditional usage of bamboo.
To promote Bamboo-based Industries relating to –
(a) Craft, Handicrafts and Art Products.

(b) Wood substitutes such as bamboo mat, board, bamboo ply, timber, flooring tiles, shuttering, blinds, laminate, etc.

(c) Food products.

(d) Medicinal, Chemical Products.

(e) Bamboo charcoal, activated charcoal and alcohol beverages.

To establish Bamboo Technology Park
To set up Common Facility Centres at places where craft person, entrepreneurs are concentrated involving local NGOs closely related with bamboo.

Rationale:

The Bamboo Policy frame work shall encourage and promote establishment of Bamboo-based enterprises and industries in cottage, small and medium sectors linked with the need of the bamboo produce/products within and outside the state.
Bamboo-based industries shall be established depending on jthe bamboo resource of the State and area specific suitable for processing, manufacturing of either semi or finished products.
Import technology shall be encouraged and adopted in cottage, small and medium sector to produce quality products for sale within and outside the state and even for export purpose.
Utilization of bamboo and bamboo products shall be emphasized in Government constructions where such uses are feasible. Standard housing designs for various constructional purpose shall be evolved taking the help of expertise available at the national and international level.
This policy shall encourage joint ventures with entrepreneurs outside the state having proven technology, finance and export linkages. Such arrangement will channelise exploitation of bamboo growing stock of the state through local traders and un-organized processing/manufacturing units.
The existing State Industrial Policy shall have to be reviewed to include a framework of incentives and various subsidies required towards the promotion and establishment of such bamboo-based industries and enterprises.
The State Industries Department will give consistent efforts for promotion and development of bamboo-based industries whose role should also cover to promote training, quality control, standardization, assistance, scientific and technical support, market support, publicity, education, incentives and patronizing in all bamboo related activities. Action to be taken in this regard are as under:
Training to facilitate entrepreneurs by way of arranging short term as well as intensive enterprise oriented training programs etc.

Collaboration with institutions/organizations engaged in bamboo related activities to assist, encourage bamboo-based trade or business or profession.

Encouraging research, development and application work in bamboo sector.

Providing technical assistance and undertake comparative study or available technology both indigenous as well as imported vis-a-vis its suitability, cost involvement, ease of operation and adaptability etc. and also identification of machines and its manufacturers.

Undertake techno-economic feasibility studies, and provide assistance for preparation of project reports of the feasible and viable projects of the bamboo-based industries which could be taken up in the state.

Engaging consultancy firms to undertake intensive market study to identify potential buyers with items to be purchased.

Provide assistance in exporting exportable bamboo products.

The Department shall explore and obtain finds, grant, contributions and loans towards the development of bamboo and its utilization. A separate fund should be created exclusively for promotion and development of bamboo industries in the state.

Semi finished products could be produced in cluster and thereafter, project for the finished products and export oriented bamboo products could be set up at the Industrial Growth Centre and Export Promotion Park where all necessary and basic infrastructures are made available.

The State Bamboo Policy will give focus on the following areas for entrepreneurial development in the state.
Inclusion of bamboo in the school syllabus and also as specialized subject in College and University studies.

One of the state shall have to be specially restructured to impart training and skill on bamboo related activities with the approval of the concerned Ministry.

The Department of Commerce & Industries, on the advice of the State Level Bamboo Coordination Committee shall hire capable consultant wherever their inputs are required for survey, assessment of product cost and aggressive marketing advertisement.

The department of Commerce & Industries, will on the advice of the State Level Bamboo Coordination Committee have to initially play a pro-active role by making provision of necessary funds in all the critical areas where the new private entrepreneurs are not able to meet the requirements.

Training programme outside the State and also outside the country shall be promoted in specific and selected field involving policy makers, middle level functionaries, entrepreneurs and representatives from the local NGO closely related with bamboo.

100% subsidy of the total cost of transportation of machines coming from manufacturers up to the location of the bamboo industrial units shall be reimbursed.

Research and Development:

an interface with research wing of the Forest Department, Science and Technology and other technical institutions inside and outside the state would be established for problem specific and site specific research regarding exploitation of bamboo, bamboo plantation, development and management of natural bamboo.

Appropriate technology and technology transfer would be facilitated through established Bamboo Technology Park and Common Facility Centres (CFC).

Bamboo food products will be another area of activity requiring speedy promotion and rapid development. Food Processing Cell of the State Directorate of Commerce & Industries, Manipur will study the traditional method of preservation of bamboo shoot and aim at promoting commercial production. The Cell will further aim at up-gradation of the preservation technology of bamboo shoot.

Funding of the Bamboo Policy:

The Bamboo Cell of the State Directorate of Commerce & Industries will maintain bamboo fund from the State Plan to achieve the goals as set in the Bamboo Policy of Manipur.