By News18
Copyright news18
Kohima, Sep 18 (PTI) With over 43 species of bamboo, Nagaland holds vast potential for bamboo-based sustainable development, said Kuko Mero, State Mission Director of the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA).
He was speaking at the state-level global observance of World Bamboo Day 2025 at the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre, Sovima, in Chumoukedima district on Thursday under the theme “Next Generation Bamboo: Solution, Innovation & Design.” Delivering the keynote address, Mero said that the NBDA has carried out block plantations covering 1,506 hectares, trained more than 200 entrepreneurs and artisans, and established two Common Facility Centres that have generated employment for over 500 people.
Mero stated that the agency has set up processing units, nurseries with 1.5 lakh saplings, rural haats, and bamboo bazaars, in addition to upgrading the Nagaland Handicrafts Emporium in New Delhi and Kolkata under the brand “Naturally Nagaland.” He emphasised that these initiatives are aimed at transforming bamboo into a driver of livelihood, innovation, and climate resilience.
Development Commissioner Temsunaro Aier described bamboo as Nagaland’s “green gold” and urged stakeholders to preserve its legacy with sustainable practices.
As part of the celebration, Aier announced setting up of a state-of-the-art Cane and Bamboo Technology Park at the Centre, launched a weeklong training for 26 artisans, distributed certificates and machinery, and presented the Bamboo Entrepreneur Award to Bukhaio Khiamniungan.
A publication on easing compliance in the bamboo sector, developed in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), was also released on the occasion. PTI NBS NN
