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Consumption of shoots threatens bamboo production in CHT

KAFIL MAHMUD, Khagrachhari
Bamboo production is under serious threat as ignorant locals are indiscriminately cutting shoots for human consumption, defying a ban.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is one of the largest producers of bamboo in the country and if the production is hampered, there will be a serious scarcity of bamboo in the country. The government will also be losing crores of taka in revenue from this natural resource of the CHT.
Throughout the country, bamboo is a vital component for pulp, besides its importance in construction sector, rural home building and many other purposes.
In a bid to increase bamboo production, the forest officials concerned in Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban imposed a three-month ban in June on all kinds of bamboo-cutting in 25 upazilas of CHT as bamboo shoots start growing in the monsoon.
Traditionally, bamboo shoot is a popular dish among the tribal population. But over the years it has become popular among Bangalee settlers too, increasing much its demand as a vegetable.
Due to lack of policing and publicity of the ban, more people are getting into the trade of collecting and selling the shoots openly in the markets.
Ratnamoni Chakma of the district recently brought about 12 kilogram shoots to Modhupur Bazar in the town for sale. She said she was not at all aware of the ban on cutting of bamboo shoots.
“Believe me if I knew about the ban I would never try to cut or sell shoots,” she said.
Vegetable trader at Khagrachhari bazaar Shefali Marma said she sells about 45 kilogram of shoots every day at aroundTk 40 per kg.
Shefali said that poor villagers in different areas of the district including Alutila, Krishigobesana, and Noimile collect the shoots from the adjoining
bamboo clusters and sell those to the traders at a slightly cheaper rate.
Mohammad Mizan, a bamboo trader at Khgrachhari bazaar for last 15 years, said bamboo production is falling every year due to illegal collection and sale of shoots for consumption.
Ananta Bikash Tripura, a first class contractor of the district, said if the consumption of bamboo shoots is not stopped during the monsoon, bamboo prices will go up affecting the construction sector of the country.
"Now a piece of a good quality bamboo ranges between Tk 150 and 170. The other variety (muli) costs between Tk 1000 and 1200 per bundle of 100 pieces.
"We are already witnessing a 30 percent rise in bamboo prices compared to last year's,” Ananta added.
Divisional Forest Officer ( DFO ) of Khagrachhari Mohammad Zohurul Alam said the ban was imposed in accordance with a work plan, prepared by Conservator of Forest Mahbubuddin
Chowdhury.
The Karnaphuli Paper Mill relies heavily on bamboo from the area but now the mill is facing closure due to the shortage of bamboo, he said. “We are trying to increase awareness among local people through community leaders,” he said.
In the 2010-11 fiscal year, the forest department of Khagrachhari alone issued permits to harvest nearly 33 lakh pieces of bamboos, from which the government earned Tk 28.48 lakh in revenue.