The Farmer’s group of Pakpay Community Forest in Samtse is constructing a Bamboo Model House. Once complete the house will be rented to local farmers to set up sales counter for local farm produce. The house will also have a guest room for visitors.
The Bamboo Model House will be constructed using chemically treated bamboo which is said to last for over 30 years. The chemical solution is pumped inside the Bamboo to drain out the green cellulose inside. The treatment is said to make the bamboo resistant to insect attacks.
The Social Forestry and Extension Division in Samtse also provided the farmers’ groups treatment equipment. Farmers of Pakpay Community also plans supply treated bamboo to other parts of the country for construction.The use of bamboo for construction will not only benefit out community but help save forests, sat the Tendu Gup, Pema Wangchuk.
The Dzongkhag Forest Officer of Samtse, Sonam Wangchuk said Pakpay village has huge potential to cultivate bamboo on commercial scale. He said the project was initiated to encourage the community to take up construction using bamboo and other locally available materials. Officials said, bamboo grows 20 times faster than trees and it can be harvested every five to seven years