The Hindu Business Line : Centre opens export gate for muli bamboo

THE Central Government has now permitted export of muli bamboo, which is the second largest species of bamboo by volume in the country. Exports of muli bamboo were hitherto prohibited.

Official sources said that muli bamboo could now be exported without any licensing restrictions until March 31, 2007. The Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has, however, specified that exports of muli bamboo would be permitted so long as the transit rules of the State forest department concerned under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 are observed.

An expert in bamboo told Business Line that muli is one of the 136 species of bamboo and is now found in abundance in southern parts of the North East. This move of the Government is seen as an attempt to tackle the expected gregarious flowering of muli bamboo in that region. Such flowering may lead to famines as the large fruits of muli are food for rodents.

"Last flowering happened about 60 years ago. There was famine in Mizoram immediately. It's a cycle that is coming back. Even this time round I don't think we have the right strategies to contain and manage the muli flowering. I am not sure if exports would really be the solution for flowering of muli bamboo. There is so much muli in North East that all capacities in the paper, rayon and fibre board industries abroad cannot absorb the growth," the expert said.

Muli bamboo is also used as a key product in local buildings in that region.