Boost to NE bamboo trade
President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said bamboo has been excluded from the category of trees, thus allowing it to be cut, transported and used, benefiting lakhs of people in the Northeast.
In his maiden address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament, Kovind said lakhs of people in tribal areas, especially in the Northeast, depend on the bamboo industry.
"The inclusion of bamboo in the category of trees had adversely affected livelihoods associated with it. Keeping in mind these difficulties, my government has excluded bamboo from the category of tree. This has now provided freedom to cut, transport and use bamboo," he said.