Bamboo experts from European Union at an interactive session with their counterparts in India on Tuesday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Oct. 26: European bamboo scientists, under the aegis of Bamboo Thematic Network (BTN), will visit Garbhanga reserve forest tomorrow to observe methods of bamboo cultivation here.

The scientists today interacted with local experts at the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD).

The Bamboo Thematic Network (BTN) is a project approved and funded by the European Commission and is implemented by a consortium of bamboo experts from 15 research institutions and private companies from Europe and Asia. It is an initiative of the Belgian company, Oprins Plant.

Officials said the visit has been organised to help the Europeans get a first-hand feel of the cultivation of bamboo in the region and understand the joint forest management, which is being practised in the Garbhanga reserve forest. ?Things are really taking place in the bamboo sector in the region which has huge resources,? Victor Brias of Oprins Plant said.

Brias said the network would extend all help to the bamboo sector in the region.

?We are looking for products for the European market,? another expert said.

The scientists opined that there is a lot to learn from the region, which has a vast repository of knowledge and practices of bamboo. ?We cannot wait for a few more years for a bamboo revolution to take place. Technology is required for a revolution,? said Tapan Dutta, agricultural adviser to the Assam government.

Problems in tissue culture were also discussed. The experts deliberated on the facilities available in the region and how the Bamboo Thematic Network could help them.

The main task of the network is to enhance international co-operation among bamboo researchers and industries through a clear focus on new technologies and the global market coupled with a policy of open information exchange.

The project involves exchanging data and research materials and identifying knowledge gaps and future research needs. ?The aim is to create a bridge between research and industry in order to consolidate knowledge and plan long term strategies for research in bamboo,? an official in the cane and bamboo technology centre said.