Nagpur Railway Station Showcases Popular Bamboo Items Through "One Station One Product" Scheme
The "One Station One Product" scheme by the Railway Ministry is successfully promoting bamboo handicraft items crafted by artisans from Vidarbha. A shop at Nagpur railway station has become a hub for passengers from various cities interested in purchasing these unique bamboo products.
Passengers, including those from cities like Bengaluru, are showing keen interest in bamboo handicrafts sold at this shop. They have even inquired with officials from the Maharashtra Bamboo Development Board (MBDB) about the possibility of selling their own bamboo products in the shop. MBDB plays a crucial role in encouraging artisans to display and market their bamboo items, providing them with opportunities for livelihood.
The Nagpur railway station shop is one of several such shops operating at railway stations in the region, including Nagpur, Itwari, Shegaon, and Akola. These shops have received positive responses from passengers. Future plans include opening similar shops at Chandrapur and Balharshah stations, as well as at tourist destinations like Mumbai and Shirdi, with the aim of generating employment for local tribal and rural communities.
The MBDB is also actively involved in bamboo plantation and value-addition projects. Bamboo cultivation has expanded significantly across Maharashtra, covering approximately 35,000 acres. Schemes such as the Atal Bamboo Scheme and National Bamboo Mission offer grants and support to bamboo farmers. The board assists farmers in selling bamboo for various purposes, including furniture, pellets, and handicrafts, thereby contributing to sustainable economic growth.
To celebrate World Bamboo Day, the Maharashtra Bamboo Development Board and Bamboo Society of India, Maharashtra chapter, have organized a program themed "Exploring Bamboo through Technological and Architectural Interventions" on September 18. The event will feature prominent guests, including PCCF and head of forest force Shailesh Tembhurnikar, and aims to promote bamboo-based technology and architecture.
