A five days training programme on Construction of Bamboo Toilet for Private and Community had started on May 13 at FDA Hall, Mantripukhri Forest Complex organized jointly by Manipur State Bamboo Mission under National Bamboo Mission (SBM, NBM), Forest Department, Government of Manipur; South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SABF); Dynamic Manipur in collaboration with Inter Agency Group – Manipur (IAG-Manipur) and BMPTC, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India.
The inaugural function was attended by PN Prasad (IFS), Principle Chief Conservator of Forest, Govt. of Manipur; H Brajamani Sharma (IFS), Chief Conservator of Forest, SBM, NBM, Govt. of Manipur and Kamesh Salam, Executive Director, SABF as Chief guest, President and Guest of Honour respectively.
Chief Guest, P.N Prasad, (IFS) mentioned that bamboo have a high potential nowadays. North East States of India is very rich in bamboo resources and they can be used in the technical furniture, constructing house, and toilet and others. We must use our natural resource for the survivor of our life. Bamboo is cheaper and stronger.
Brajamani Sharma, IFS during the foundation also pointed out that 18 th September of every year is observed as World Bamboo Day and by knowing the value of bamboo we will be able to construct bamboo toilets. During the training programme participants will be 75% physically involved on bamboo toilet construction and 25% with the theoretical knowledge.
While addressing the participants, Kamesh Salam, Executive Director of SABF said that Bamboo is very luxury in Manipur State. Bamboo verities of Manipur can be used in different ways of constructing house, toilet, wall facing, traditional culture items, handicraft items etc. Bamboo can be used for constructing low cost bamboo toilet. He also stresses that by imparting bamboo technology in bamboo constructions will help in the in promoting earthquake resistant housing to the affected communities. The practical session of the day includes chemical treatment of bamboo which otherwise would take up to 15 months of natural treatment process.
The 5-days long program will have both theoretical and practical session on understanding bamboo as building material of houses, toilets and wall fencing. Two bamboo toilet types of personal and community usage are expected to be installed at earthquake affected villages/sites on the last day of the training program. During the training two types of toilet modules will be constructed using local bamboo. The models are single toilet for household usages and twin model for community usages like schools and other public places.
By imparting bamboo technology in bamboo constructions will also help in the in promoting earthquake resistant housing to the affected communities. After the training it is planned to construct 150 bamboo Toilets to be provided to the quake affected victims with support from various donor agencies.
Altogether 19 participants from IAG-Manipur and member organizations namely DSSS, Dynamic Manipur, CASA, RNBA, Social Warriors Manipur, WSDC, IRMA and SESU are taking part in this 5 days training programme.
