PUNE: The Savitribai Phule Pune University received Rs 35 lakh to set up a Bamboo Craft Research and Training Centre.
Similar centres have been approved for the Agriculture College in Rahuri and Sant Gangebaba University in Amravati. “The state forest department will set up centres at the universities,” head of SPPU’s skills development centre Puja More said.
The Union government’s National Bamboo Mission will keep a close watch on the three centres and promote research and employment. “The centres will aim to produce high quality bamboo crop and adopt a scientific method in growing the crop,” the SPPU’s statement read.
The centres will give a boost to local bamboo artists and help in employment. The furniture used by the university will be made at the centre and some will be sold commercially.