Maha chapter of Bamboo Society of India opens on Sept 18

Nagpur: In a bid to promote the neglected bamboo sector, the first Maharashtra chapter of Bamboo Society of India (BSI) has been set up in the city.
BSI is based in Bengaluru and is registered as a society and trust with the charity commissioner. The Maharashtra chapter will also be affiliated to BSI.
The BSI has chosen bamboo architect Sunil Joshi of Nagpur as chairman of the local chapter with Hemant Bebekar of Pune as executive director and Deepak Sune of Bhandara as secretary of the first governing council for three years.All these office-bearers belong to interdisciplinary fraternities and aim to participate and contribute their bit to popularizing bamboo.
The BSI aims to promote bamboo sector across India through the network of state chapters. “The BSI has bestowed upon us the coveted status of ‘Maharashtra chapter’ on September 18, with Nagpur as headquarters based in Trimurti Nagar. Interestingly, September 18 is also celebrated as World Bamboo Day,” said Joshi.
The chapter will enable stakeholders to work together for a bigger and common goal of developing the bamboo sector, said the first chairman of the chapter.
Joshi added it is notable that bamboo activism here has already demonstrated industrial and technological prowess of bamboo resources in Maharashtra, which influenced upon the state government to adopt pro-bamboo policy for welfare of the sector and society.
The Maharashtra chapter believes that a lot still needs to be done on technology and resource development at state level to strengthen the foundation for bamboo sector, he added.
The growing team of Maharashtra chapter of BSI consists of artisans, activists, NGOs, growers, farmers, entrepreneurs, enterprises, artisan federations, researchers, botanists, nursery and plantation owners, architects, product designers, engineers, MSME's, technocrats, teachers, doctorates, master craftsmen, women, trainers, professors, professionals, design institutions, enthusiasts, bamboo lovers etc
BSI’s Maharashtra chapter will address issues regarding bamboo under one roof.
A daylong event will be held at VNIT to mark the beginning of bamboo technology and resource development in Maharashtra. The function will be presided over by Vishram Jamdar, chairman, VNIT. Chief conservator TSK Reddy will also be present.