World Bamboo Day under the theme “Next Generation Bamboo: Solution, Innovation and Design”, was observed by Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency at the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre, 6th Mile, Sovima under Chümoukedima on September 18.
On the occasion, chairman Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA), Nuzota Swuro hoisted the world Bamboo day flag in the presence of officials.
Speaking on the occasion, Swuro said that NBDA was launched in 2004 and has completed 20 years of its existence. He remembered those pioneers who had conceptualised the NBDA and translated into a reality.
He said NBDA is not set to enter into third decade, venturing into a “New horizons”, which will be innovative, creative, sustainable and entrepreneur development oriented.
For this, Nuzota said NBDA was in the process of vigorous and intensive consultations with local experts, farmers, persons, entrepreneurs and the stakeholders who have practised experience and knowledge of ground relations.
He also pointed out that apart from normal activities, an action plan of priorities has already been implemented as flagship programmes, where Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima and Peren districts has been marked as bamboo economic zone and with availabilities of fund these zones will be concentrated with Bamboo plantation in compact areas.
With the resource development, NBDA has also plan to feed industrial units in the near future and conduct resource mapping of bamboo in the State so that factual assessment can be done to prepare the action plan, Nuzota said.
He also informed that most of the other districts are hilly areas and unfriendly terrain, and to transport raw materials to various destinations was a big challenge. However, to overcome the challenge, he said NBDA has set a plan to come up with small common Fertility centres with cluster units in far and remote areas which will be more cost effective to transport the semi or process products.
He also highlighted that NBDA has identified 46 local grown bamboo species and plan to go for research for lab test and analysis. He further informed of the NBDA plan to develop market linkage with modern technology of networking, which will help the entrepreneurs, access to the marketing world.
Note on “World Bamboo Day 2024” was delivered by Team Member, NBDA, Tolto Metha, where he highlighted Bamboo as an important green resource from various contexts for Nagaland covering every strata of the society.
He also highlighted the achievement of NBDA within its short period of existence.
On the occasion, “Bamboo Entrepreneur Award 2024” was awarded to Aosanen from Dimapur for his Bamboo craft and outstanding product innovation.
Earlier, the program began with a welcome address by NCS Mission, Director, NBDA, Elbert Ezung; special song by Trium Anima and vote of thanks by Team member, NBDA, Dr. Likhase Sangta.
The day was marked with two session workshop. In the first session, resource person Creative Director of cane concept Founder of Urra Designs & Objects, Aku Zeliang highlighted on -”Entrepreneurship and market linkages” and in the second session, resource person Bamboo Architect (Zynorique Initiatives Society) Richard Belho presented on the topic “Sustainability and livelihood”.