Govt first time issues guidelines on construction of bamboo structures

Khotang, Nov 25: The federal government has approved the 'Guideline on the Design of Structures Made of Bamboo'. 

The Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, has recently approved this guideline.

Mayor of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, had even staged a peaceful movement in Kathmandu to promote and formulate policies related to bamboo and bamboo-based materials.

He had staged a sit-in at Maitighar Mandala from July 30 to August 3 with demands to promote bamboo-based construction materials, form building committees and implement the sample design norms.

The hunger strike ended after Mayor Bhattarai, who had arrived in Kathmandu from Diktel carrying with him bamboo mat and other bamboo wares, reached a 16-point agreement with the government.

The approved guidelines have given formal recognition to bamboo as a structural construction material in Nepal for the first time.

Accordingly, it has become possible to construct one to two-storey residential buildings, small commercial and industrial buildings from bamboo based on engineering design.

It is stated preparations are underway to quickly circulate the guidelines approved by the Ministry of Urban Development to local bodies through the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.

The guidelines approved by the federal government includes detailed standards for bamboo harvesting, grading, chemical treatment, storage and use, along with the necessary technical specifications for constructing earthquake-resistant, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective structures, as well as sample house designs.

Mayor Bhattarai held a press conference on Monday, hailing the government's decision. He expressed gratitude to the government and concerned agencies after the federal government approved the guidelines related to bamboo.

"In the past, there was no official evaluation of bamboo handicrafts, skills, and construction work using bamboo, but now bamboo, like stone, gravel, sand, and cement, also has an official valuation," he said, adding, "This government decision has established credibility in the bamboo industry and construction sector. It benefits entrepreneurs and farmers across the country."

Mayor Bhattarai stated that the government-approved guidelines are a historic step towards establishing bamboo industries across the country, constructing environmentally friendly buildings, and promoting local production.

"By putting the wasted bamboo to use and establishing industries at the local level, the way has opened to create employment for the youths. This is a matter of joy for local levels and entrepreneurs across the country," he said.

According to him, 13 varieties of bamboo are grown in the municipality and now the Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality will start promoting bamboo entrepreneurship in collaboration with various bodies working in bamboo and also with the three tiers of the government.

The Municipality had organised a three-day 'First National Bamboo Conference–2081' with the slogan 'Where there is bamboo, there is life; where there is life, there is bamboo' from February 27.

The First National Bamboo Conference held in Diktel Bazaar issued a 35-point 'Khotang Declaration,' which decided to initiate the establishment of a Bamboo Study and Research Centre in Diktel, to promote celebrating Falgun 15, the day the first National Bamboo Conference started, as 'National Bamboo Awareness Day' every year, and to organise the National Bamboo Conference every three years. (RSS)