Nagaland celebrates ‘World Bamboo Day’

Along with the rest of the world, Nagaland celebrated “World Bamboo Day” under the theme “Next Generation Bamboo: Solution, Innovation & Design” at conference hall of Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre, Sovima, on Thursday. The programme was organised by the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA).
Delivering her address as the special guest, Development Commissioner, Government of Nagaland, Temsunaro Aier, described the occasion as a celebration of bamboo not merely as a natural resource but as a powerful tool for sustainability, innovation and livelihood.
She underlined the deep connection between bamboo and Nagas way of life, asserting that since time immemorial, bamboo has been deeply interwoven with their roots, traditions and daily lives. “From time immemorial, bamboo has been part of our homes, our food, our crafts, our festivals and even our music”, she stated, while adding that every Naga household had, in one way or another, relied on bamboo as shelter, food, utility or art. “It is rightly called the green gold of our land”, she added.
Aier further highlighted the achievements of NBDA since its inception, noting that what began as a humble initiative had today grown into a state-wide programme impacting artisans, farmers and self-help groups.
She said that the agency had provided training and skill development, while also supporting bamboo-based enterprises ranging from handicrafts and furniture to bamboo shoots, incense sticks, blinds and mats.
She later pointed out that state was slowly emerging as a hub for bamboo-based industries, with entrepreneurs bringing fresh innovation and energy into the sector, while marketing initiatives in collaboration with private partners were opening new opportunities for artisans and producers.
Alongside livelihood promotion, she stressed on bamboo’s ecological value as an ally in fighting climate change through carbon storage and sustainable use.
Dwelling on the theme, she encouraged looking at bamboo through the lens of innovation, with modern applications in eco-friendly housing, renewable energy, textiles, packaging and even global design markets.
Aier also announced that a state-of-the-art Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre, with support from the North Eastern Council (NEC), was expected to be ready by this year end, expressing hope that the centre would serve as a hub for research, training and large-scale production, benefitting both artisans and entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, delivering the key note address, State Mission Director NBDA, Kuko Mero, emphasised bamboo’s immense potential for the state. “Whether creating jobs, preventing deforestation, storing carbon or creating low-carbon infrastructure – the potential of bamboo is enormous, especially for a state like ours where it bamboo is almost part of our daily lives with over 43 species found indigenously in the state”, he stated.
He later highlighted NBDA’s achievements, which included block plantations covering 1506 hectares across all 17 districts, training of over 200 artisans/entrepreneurs in bamboo crafts, furniture and marketing, establishment of two Common Facility Centres generating employment for more than 500 persons, setting up of primary processing units such as bamboo toothpick, incense stick, blinds, board/tiles, briquettes, furniture and handicraft units, establishment of 10 bamboo treatment plants and three major nurseries raising 1.5 lakh saplings, creation of 30 rural haats and 30 bamboo bazaars across Nagaland, rebranding of Nagaland Handicrafts Emporium in Delhi and Kolkata under “Naturally Nagaland”, etc.
Mero also reiterated on NBDA establishing a state-of-the-art Cane and Bamboo Technology Park at the Bamboo Resource Centre, which would import new technologies, upscale local skills, and boost production capacity.
He also added that the agency was working to integrate traditional bamboo knowledge with modern research to create sustainable, innovative products for wider markets.
Ending his note, he stated that NBDA would continue to explore partnerships, new policies and government support to expand the bamboo sector and harness its potential for sustainable development.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by team member,NDBA, Mhonlumi Patton, invocation offered by pastor ABCR, Asi Angami, and welcome address delivered by chairman NBDA, Nuzota Swuro, while a special Bamboo theme song was presented by Musik-A School, and vote of thanks delivered by team member NBDA, Dr. Tolto Metha.
After the programme, machineries were distributed to trainees who took part in the seven days training programme, where K Bukhaio Khiamniungan was awarded a certificate of excellence, and cash prize.