The Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA) observed World Bamboo Day 2026 under the theme “Bamboo Beyond Borders” at the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre (NBRC), Sovima, Chümoukedima, on September 18, 2026.
The occasion was marked by the hoisting of the World Bamboo Day flag at the NBRC grounds, followed by the inauguration of the ‘Green Gold Barn’, a new facility of the centre showcasing the use of bamboo through traditional knowledge, technology and innovation.
Nuzota Swuro, Chairman, NBDA and Senior Vice-President, NPF, attended the programme as the Guest of Honour. In his address, Swuro highlighted the significance of bamboo in Nagaland’s history, culture and rural economy, and said that the resource had increasingly emerged as an avenue for enterprise, employment, innovation and sustainable development.
Reflecting on the journey of NBDA since its establishment in 2005, he stated that the Agency’s work had expanded beyond bamboo plantation to include skill development, processing, value addition, enterprise creation, technology intervention and market development. He highlighted initiatives including Common Facility Centres, bamboo processing units, rural bamboo haats, bamboo bazaars and market promotion under the brand ‘Naturally Nagaland’.
Swuro also highlighted the development of the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre as a platform for training, demonstrations, exhibitions, technology dissemination and promotion of bamboo-based activities. He said that the Agency had established two Common Facility Centres which had generated employment for more than 500 people, and stressed the need to strengthen market linkages so that bamboo products from Nagaland could reach wider national and international markets.
He further called for greater participation of youth in the bamboo sector, stating that the future of bamboo entrepreneurship extended beyond farming and traditional craftsmanship to areas such as design, engineering, architecture, food processing, digital marketing and technology.
He emphasized the need for a coordinated approach, and called for sustainable resource management, scientific harvesting, value addition, innovation and organised value chains to make bamboo a stronger source of livelihood for rural communities. He said that Nagaland has identified the potential of creating bamboo economic zones, particularly in Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima and Peren, with concentrated plantation and resource development linked to future industrial units. He also acknowledged the contribution of farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs, Self-Help Groups, technical experts, institutions, former and present officers and staff towards the development of the bamboo sector in the State.
Delivering the keynote address, Tiameren Chang, NCS, Mission Director, NBDA, said that World Bamboo Day was an occasion to recognise the potential of bamboo in sustainable development, environmental protection, livelihood generation and economic transformation. He highlighted various achievements of NBDA, including block plantation covering 1,506 hectares, training of more than 200 entrepreneurs and artisans, establishment of two Common Facility Centres, primary processing units, 30 rural haats and 30 bamboo bazaars, as well as 15 demonstration plots across the state. He also highlighted the Agency’s participation in trade fairs and exhibitions and the annual Hornbill Bamboo Carnival, which had provided a platform for artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase and promote their products.
Referring to the newly inaugurated Green Gold Barn, Chang said it represented an example of how traditional bamboo knowledge could be combined with technology and innovation to utilise the resource more efficiently. He added that the facility would cater to the public and would be opened for public use in the near future.
He also stressed the importance of exploring the potential of indigenous bamboo species and strengthening plantation management, scientific harvesting, modern processing, product development, branding and market access, while ensuring that the benefits reached farmers, rural communities, artisans, youth and entrepreneurs.
Dr. Jayanta Choudhury, Professor and Head, Department of Rural Development and Planning, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, Chümoukedima, in his address, spoke on bamboo cultivation, nursery development and utilisation, and highlighted the potential of bamboo-based biochar in Nagaland. He also proposed the introduction of diploma and vocational courses related to bamboo at the university to strengthen skills and knowledge in the sector. He spoke on the importance of bamboo from domestic use to industrial and commercial applications and its potential contribution towards addressing climate change and called for greater collaboration among bamboo agencies across the North Eastern States, stressing coordination and collective efforts to help the region compete in wider markets.
During the programme, certificates were also distributed to trainees who had successfully completed vocational skill development courses at the centre.
The programme was chaired by Lipoksungkum Imsong, Team Member, NBDA, while Mhonlumi Patton, Team Member, NBDA, delivered the vote of thanks.
(Samuel IA Chumoukedima)
