NOW IT IS BAMBOO BOOM!

Madikeri June 20, 2006

National Mission On bamboo Application ( NMBA), New Delhi, Institute of wood science and technology, Bangalore have decided to promote bamboo cultivation and utilization in Kodagu.

Secretary of the Kodagu Model Forest Trust, C.G.Kushalappa has said in a communiqué today that they have held rounds of talk with the above organizations to promote bamboo venture in Kodagu.

KMFT says that it is an opportunity for the farmers in the district to take up cultivation of the two species of bamboo in the vacant paddy lands and homestead gardens.

Dedrocalmus Asper is a promising edible bamboo that is under commercial cultivation in many parts of the country. Under this project, seedlings would be provided to farmers to take up cultivation. The other promising species, Burma bamboo (Dendrocalmus Brandisi) is already is already under cultivation in the homsteds of kodagu. The organizations expect the farmers to take up cultivation at least in one acre of land.

The trust has assured the farmers that it will provide local value additional facilities and market support. A meeting would be called here in the mid July.

MLA BOMBARDS OFFICIALS;

MLA Basavaraju bombarded the social welfare officer and said that the department has failed to fulfill the demands of the public.

Addressing the KDP meeting of Virjpet Taluk at Ponnampet, MLA alleged that the officials are misusing the power and did not provide facilities to beneficiaries under Girijana Kalyana Yojane. He went wild as the taluk Panchayath president Rani alleged that not a single cow was distributed to the beneficiaries even though they are eligible to get them. He gave an ultimatum of one week to distribute cows and warned them of stern action in case of failure. If you cannot work, apply for transfer and go, he shouted.

MLA also commented that he has received complaint against GP members misusing their power and disturbing fair price shop owners. If they cross their limit, this has to be informed to the government, he cautioned.

BEO Malleswamy announced in the meeting that 612 cycles would be distributed to girl belonging to the families falling under BPL list. MLA adviced the officials to encourage dairy farming in villages and release all the benefits due to them.