Agartala, Feb 19: Maharashtra is likely to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tripura to enhance the bamboo industry and foster bamboo-based entrepreneurial activities, Maharashtra Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde announced on Tuesday.

During her two-day visit to Tripura, Munde toured the Bamboo and Cane Development Institute (BCDI) and was introduced to various bamboo species. She expressed interest in leveraging Tripura’s bamboo resources for industrial purposes, particularly in construction, and highlighted the potential of bamboo to create job opportunities in rural areas. Additionally, she pointed out that bamboo could be used to manufacture value-added products like jewelry and serve as an eco-friendly alternative to firewood, playing a key role in environmental conservation.

Bamboo is a significant natural resource in Tripura, with 19 species found across the state. Tripura’s bamboo forests span 3,246 square kilometers, contributing substantially to India’s bamboo reserves, especially in the northeastern region, which accounts for 28% of the country’s bamboo forests.

The Tripura government established India’s first Bamboo Park in 2009 at Bodhjungnagar Industrial Growth Centre to promote bamboo-based industries. The park, covering 135 acres and developed at a cost of Rs 30 crore, houses several factories producing bamboo flooring tiles, laminated boards, furniture, and other eco-friendly products.

The MoU between Maharashtra and Tripura aims to further develop the bamboo sector, improve infrastructure, and encourage sustainable bamboo-based industries in both states.