Study Tour Report
International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) Tripura ITTO Pre-Project
On
“Sustainable and Multi purpose forestry to settle the Tribal shifting cultivators of Tripura State in India by providing viable economic activities"
 By
  Dr VK Bahuguna
                               Addl. PCCF & MD, TFDPC

Recommendations : The visit to China has opened up opportunities of bilateral cooperation between Tripura Government/Entrepreneurs and Chinese Bamboo industries. To begin with TFDPC Ltd could be nominated as nodal agency for undertaking collaboration with Chinese companies.

2. The BERC Nanjing Forestry University has promised to help in transfer of Bamboo industrial use technology to Tripura and have proposed to visit Agartala in September/ October 2007 to assess the raw material availability and choice of species for transfer of technology. TFDPC may meet the expenses of this visit of two persons as agreed to by the leader of Indian delegation during negotiations. The parameters of cooperation may be clear after the visit of Chinese delegation. The proposed Bamboo Board Project of TFDPC may be modified to produce high quality export oriented Board.

3. The ITTO pre-project consultant may be requested to include apart from Rubber Bamboo as a source of livelihood for the tribal shifting cultivators and a model project be included in the ITTO project report as mentioned in Para 7 above. The project should have a transfer of technology component and a demonstration project as part of the development of a model for settlement of tribal Jhumias and sustainable forest management

4. The Center for excellence under the JBIC Project should be involved in the process of development of Bamboo sector with Chinese technology and BERC should be included as training and collaborating institute for training the Indian entrepreneurs/officers and for transfer of Bamboo industrial technology

5. As suggested by Indian Embassy officials it would be appropriate and easy to access the Chinese technology if tie-ups are made through academic institutions or between industrial houses. For this purpose, TFDPC as nodal agency should involve the faculty of Tripura University or some college of the State. It would also be appropriate to promote the private sector route through those Indian companies who have links with Chinese companies. Some of these companies are already in business with TFDPC.

6. We may keep the Indian Consulate in Shanghai informed about the developments as they are keen to participate in promoting Bamboo sector development in Tripura with Chinese technology. We may also correspond with the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India so that a holistic view is taken.