Agartala, Sep 30 (IANS): Bamboo growing northeastern region would be hugely benefited after the imposition of restrictions by the Indian government on the import of some bamboo products including incense sticks, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said on Monday.

Deb, while addressing a day-long "Bamboo Artisans' Conclave" here said that northeast India comprising eight states is the major bamboo producing areas and is capable to curb India's imports of bamboo products from abroad.

"The Indian government had earlier imposed restrictions on the import of some bamboo products including incense sticks. Annually, Rs one lakh crore Indian currencies had been going to abroad to import various bamboo products," he added.

According to a government document, northeast India has 34.5 per cent area under bamboo cultivation and 45 per cent of country's bamboo stocks.

A Bamboo is also known as "green gold" in the mountainous northeastern region.

Tripura had earlier produced 29,000 tonne of bamboo sticks up to 2010 and sent to various states including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and now the productions had gone down to 1,250 tonne.

Deb, who also holds the Industries and Commerce department, said: "Our government is committed to build bamboo sector as a major livelihood provider and offer employment opportunities. At least 50,000 families in Tripura could be self-reliant through bamboo based productions."

"Those who are currently involved in the bamboo productions and processing, if they give more time and resources, their income would be increased to three times within a year," he said adding that Tripura is home to 21 species of bamboo out of 130 species available in India.

"Currently, bamboo being cultivated in 17,000-18000 hectare areas in Tripura. The Bamboo Mission, Forest Department and other government and non-government agencies have targeted to increase the area to a large extent," the Chief Minister said.

In the "Bamboo Artisans' Conclave", national awardee bamboo artisans were felicitated by the Chief Minister.

Earlier on Monday, the Chief Minister presided over an 'Investors' Summit' at the state guest house and many investors from across the country, who are keen to invest to develop the bamboo sectors and bamboo based industries, attended the meet.