State govt fails to amend rules to boost bamboo charcoal units

Nagpur: The ineffectiveness of the state government in not amending the Maharashtra Forest Rules (MFR), 2014 related to the manufacture of charcoal from bamboo is affecting the industry.
The managing director of the Maharashtra Bamboo Development Board (MBDB) on November 14, 2022, had moved the principal secretary (forest) requesting no requirement of NOC for bamboo units engaged in manufacturing charcoal from bamboo and its waste.

Presently, Section 52 (1) & 53 (2) of the MFR, 2014 put restrictions on establishing a saw pit for cutting or converting timber or manufacturing bamboo charcoal within the limits of any reserve or protected forests (whether in charge of forest or revenue department) or any land which is proposed to be declared a reserve forest, and within 2km of such limits.
Any operator or manufacturer desiring to establish such saw pits or erect machinery for that had to seek permission from the respective range forest officer (RFO) is required.
However, considering the directorate general of foreign trade under the ministry of commerce and industry freeing the export of bamboo charcoal made out of legal sources, the state PCCF (HoFF) on December 26, 2022, urged the state government to amend the MFR 2014 by amending the rules by adding “the units will be allowed to manufacture charcoal except charcoal obtained from bamboo procured from legitimate sources.”
“Even after five months, the state government has failed to amend the rules hitting the bamboo industry hard. Considerable bamboo waste is generated in processing industries and converting waste bamboo into charcoal gives good value addition and profit,” said bamboo consultant and expert Pratap Goswami.