Bamboo clusters disappearing due to indiscriminate felling

Our Correspondent
RANGPUR, Apr 07: Bamboo clusters are disappearing fast from all the 8 upazilas of Rangpur district because of indiscriminate felling of bamboos and lack of initiatives for its planned growth.
Bamboos are essential both for construction of huts and building, fencing of houses and boundary walls as well as vegetables gardens.
It is alleged that a huge number of bamboos is cut from the clusters everyday without any efforts to replenish them. Bamboos need care for its proper growth. But villagers take little interest for the growth of bamboos in the clusters.
The clusters generally grow under the natural condition. Though bamboo cultivation is lucrative, well organised efforts for its healthy growth are lacking every where in the district.
A large number of bamboos are sold to outsiders everyday, the buyers from Dhaka and other districts come to Rangpur to buy huge quantity of bamboo, sources said.
The cost of bamboos has registered a sharp rise over the years because of their scarcity. A piece of bamboo now costs Tk 200 to Tk 400 according to its size.
Locals expressed the apprehension if cutting of bamboo continues at the present rate, days are not far off when the entire district as well as the country will face severe crisis of this important construction material.
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