Bhubaneswar: National Conference on Bamboo and Medicinal Plants was organized today at the Lok Seva Bhavan Convention Hall, underscoring Odisha’s commitment to leverage its rich forest resources for sustainable economic development.
The event, which brought together national institutions, industry partners, and experts, was inaugurated by the Minister Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Shri Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia. Shri Satyabrat Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department graced the occasion.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HoFF, Shri Suresh Pant, Chief Executive Officer, Project Director, Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project, Dr. K. Murugesan and Odisha Medicinal Plants Board, Shri V. Karthik was present in the Meeting.
In a key announcement, the Minister launched the Odisha Bamboo Haat online platform and oversaw the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four institutions: the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), the National Institute of Design (NID), and the Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT)-The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU).
The M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) will also guide the medicinal plant initiatives. The Minister stated the Odisha Bamboo Haat will provide a dedicated digital space for artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs, ensuring equity and dignity for their work.
Gracing the conference was Shri Satyabrat Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, who reaffirmed the government’s strong administrative commitment to these initiatives. As a senior administrative officer, Shri Sahu’s presence signals the high priority the state places on accelerating program implementation, which is crucial for translating policy decisions from the conference into tangible on-ground results and achieving the state’s vision of faster development in this crucial sector.
Other dignitaries at the conference included The conference sets the stage for a new chapter in which Odisha’s rich bio-resources are set to become a foundation for widespread economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.