The World Bamboo Day 2025 was celebrated on 18th September 2025 at the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre, 6th Mile, Sovima, Chümoukedima, under the theme “Next Generation Bamboo: Solution, Innovation & Design.” The programme was graced by Development Commissioner, Temsunaro Aier, IAS, as the Special Guest.
In her address, Aier described bamboo as the “green gold” of Nagaland, highlighting its deep cultural, ecological, and economic significance. She urged stakeholders to sustain this legacy with pride and responsibility, noting bamboo’s role in food, shelter, craft, art, and livelihood. She also stressed the need for sustainable practices, citing bamboo’s rapid growth, carbon absorption, and soil conservation benefits, making it a strong ally in the fight against climate change.
Aier also commended the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA) for promoting bamboo-based enterprises, training artisans, and supporting self-help groups. She noted that products such as handicrafts, furniture, incense sticks, blinds, mats, and bamboo shoots are gaining recognition, turning Nagaland into a hub for bamboo industries.
As part of the celebration, Aier announced the upcoming state-of-the-art Cane and Bamboo Technology Park at the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre, which will serve as a Centre for research, training, and production. A weeklong training programme was also launched for 26 artisans to enhance their skills in bamboo design, manufacturing, and value addition. Certificates and machineries were distributed to the trainees, and the Bamboo Entrepreneur Award was presented to Bukhaio Khiamniungan.
On the occasion, a special publication titled “Facilitating Ease of Doing Business in the Bamboo Sector in Northeast India: Removal of Compliance Burdens” was also released in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Earlier, the programme began with the arrival of the Special Guest and hoisting of the World Bamboo Day flag, chaired by Team Member, NBDA, Mhonlumi Patton. Invocation was pronounced by Pastor of Angami Baptist Church Razhüphe, Asi Angami, followed by a welcome address from Chairman, NBDA, Nuzota Swuro.
The event featured a bamboo theme song by Musik-A School and a keynote address by Kuko Mero, NCS State Mission Director NBDA who noted that with over 43 species of bamboo, Nagaland has immense potential in bamboo-based sustainable development. He informed that NBDA has carried out block plantations covering 1506 hectares, trained over 200 entrepreneurs and artisans, and set up two Common Facility Centres generating employment for more than 500 people. The Agency has also established processing units, nurseries with 1.5 lakh saplings, rural haats, bamboo bazaars, and upgraded the Nagaland Handicrafts Emporium in New Delhi and Kolkata under the brand “Naturally Nagaland.”
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Team Member, NBDA, Dr. Tolto Metha.
(Tiakumla Ao, IA Dimapur)
