The environment ministry is planning to introduce a pan-India bamboo permit, which will eliminate the need for multiple permits
A pan India bamboo permit can increase the income of farmers, and also provide raw material at a cheaper cost to industry.Credit: jmettraux/Flickr The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is planning to introduce a pan-India Transit Permit for bamboo.
In June 2017, the ministry had written to the states with an advisory regarding centralised Transit Permit (TP) for bamboo. The letter said that the full potential of bamboo trade has remained unexploited due to the current transit and felling regime.
According to the advisory, “...for all species of bamboo, once a transit pass is issued by the concerned authority at the point of origin... should be valid through all states without requirement of a lieu transit pass.”
“The idea is to promote hassle-free transport of bamboo between the producer and the consumer,” an official from the MoEF&CC said on the condition of anonymity. Such a permit regime will increase the income of not only farmers, but also provide raw material at a cheaper cost to the industry.
Currently, the Divisional Forest Officer issues the TP for bamboo transportation within a state and inter-state transport necessitates a TP from the destination state as well. The Pan India Transit Permit will eliminate the need for multiple permits and just the TP from the originating area will be required.
“The states will have to decide what they want to do on the matter. We will soon have a meeting with all the states and take things forward from there,” the official said.
As of February this year, seven states have adopted the Pan India Transit Permit system and 12 states have agreed to the idea with certain conditions.
“We have not been specific in our advisory as to the nature– forest or non-forest-of the land the bamboo is coming from. It is up to the states to decide that,” the official added.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
India Environment Portal Resources :
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.