Nagaland: Hornbill Bamboo Carnival begins at Chümoukedima

The Hornbill Bamboo Carnival , organized by Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA), was inaugurated at Bamboo Amphitheater, Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre, 6th Mile, Sovima, in Chümoukedima on Sunday.
NBDA chairman Nuzota Swuro, who attended the carnival as a special guest, stated that NBDA has implemented bamboo plantation programmes across all districts under the National Bamboo Mission and National Mission on Bamboo Applications, covering a total of 45,621 hectares of plantations and 1,506 hectares of block plantations. Between 2021 and 2024, an additional 432 hectares of block plantations were created, while maintenance work was carried out over 474 hectares of farmers’ and community land.
Swuro highlighted the journey of the NBDA and its efforts to promote bamboo as the State’s “Green Gold.” He noted that the Hornbill Festival, known as the Festival of Festivals, continues to showcase the cultural richness and unity of the Naga people, with the Hornbill Bamboo Carnival reflecting the government’s vision for sustainable bamboo development.
Swuro shared that between 2021 and 2024, NBDA set up five furniture units, a bamboo shoot processing unit and six primary processing units. The Bamboo Charcoal Briquette Unit has produced and marketed 300 tons of briquettes, while the Vacuum Pressure Impregnation Treatment Plant, with a capacity of 200 cubic feet per charge, has treated 1.6 lakh bamboo poles for structural use. The Bamboo Strips Production Unit produces 500 kg of strips per month, the Bamboo Agarbatti Stick Unit produces 12 tons per month, and the Bamboo Venetian Blinds Unit has a monthly output of 5,000 square feet.
He also highlighted NBDA’s long-standing focus on skill development, noting that 148 individuals across 28 villages were trained in bamboo charcoal production between 2005 and 2015, while 100 farmers and 20 entrepreneurs received training under the National Bamboo Mission in 2018–19. Between 2021 and 2024, the Agency conducted over 20 structured training programmes that benefited around 160 entrepreneurs, farmers and field functionaries. On World Bamboo Day 2025, a week-long skill training programme for 26 artisans was launched to enhance design and value-addition capabilities.
The Agency also facilitated participation in two domestic trade fairs and two international exhibitions under the South Asian Bamboo Foundation between 2021 and 2024, enabling entrepreneurs and SHGs to build networks and gain exposure.
Swuro recalled that the NBDA was established in 2005 following the adoption of the Nagaland Bamboo Policy of 2004, which laid out a framework for sustainable bamboo management. He said the Agency’s mission has been to transform bamboo from a traditional household resource into a tool for poverty alleviation, employment generation, ecological security, and sustainable industrial development.
To strengthen market access, NBDA has established 16 Rural Bamboo Haats and 32 Bamboo Bazaars, while also constructing wayside amenities, gazebos and community sheds across the State.
Earlier retail initiatives such as Green Basket, Internodes and Bamboo Shell helped build visibility, and the upgrading of handicraft emporia in New Delhi and Kolkata under the ‘Naturally Nagaland’ brand has connected local products to metropolitan markets.
To support plantation expansion, he said that NBDA has established a nursery at Dimapur through vegetative propagation and is extending similar facilities to all districts for species such as Bambusa Balcooa and Dendrocalamus Hamiltonii, distributing 24 lakh saplings to bamboo farmers so far.
He further highlighted that the Agency has set up a Bamboo Septum at the NBRC complex to preserve live bamboo specimens and provide hands-on learning opportunities for students and researchers, with 26 species already introduced and more planned.
Swuro said the Hornbill Bamboo Carnival aims to promote bamboo as a sustainable resource for economic growth and innovation in areas such as handicrafts and construction, providing a platform for entrepreneurs to share ideas, acquire skills and explore opportunities in craft, art, music and food.
He encouraged the youth to take up skills in the bamboo sector and aspire to compete at national and global levels and urged all participants to make the most of the event and continue supporting NBDA as it prepares to develop programmes in bamboo research and marketing, including plans for a Bamboo Research and Training Centre and renewed focus on market linkages.
He congratulated the organisers and participants for their efforts and wished everyone memorable experiences at the Hornbill Bamboo Carnival 2025.
Highlight of the programme included launching of coffee table book- ‘Celebrating 20 Years of Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency: Fostering a Sustainable Future and launched of exhibition stalls by the special guest.
The programme was chaired by NBDA team member Mhonlumi Patton, invocation prayer by Sumi Baptist Church, Sovima youth director Toholi Achumi, welcome address by NBDA team member Er: M. Imkonglemba, song by Worngam Rungsung and traditional dance by Yimkhiung Soritsün Women Cultural Society,Chümoukedima
Later, the vote of thanks was delivered by Menguphrezo Ziephru.