Nagaland: Bamboo scaffold workers unload workload

Thejoto Nienu
KOHIMA —  Bamboo is a versatile and sustainable material that can be used for many purposes, including construction and crafts but Naga people are yet to realise its worth, said Aosunep, a bamboo scaffold worker.

The 48-year-old Aosunep, who is known by the name Sunep among his co-workers, told Eastern Mirror that he has been into the profession since 2004.

Bamboo scaffolding, which has been used in construction work for centuries, is erected and dismantled by trained workers.

Besides being the sole breadwinner of his family including his wife and two children, Sunep also takes care of his brother who is a person with disability (PwD).

Despite the limited scope in bamboo-related sector, he took up bamboo scaffold business after undergoing training at the Nagaland Bamboo Development Authority (NBDA), Dimapur, in 2004.

He acknowledged the support of architect Richard Belho, who, he said has been an ardent advocate of bamboo work, including crafts and other structures, and has been giving them works all through.

Presently, Sunep along with eight co-workers are constructing a bamboo hall at Seithogei Living School in Kohima. The hall, measuring 90x50 feet (length x breadth) and 50 feet tall, is said to be one of the biggest bamboo projects in the state and has been under construction for the last couple of months.

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Forty-year-old Meren, a skilled carpenter-turned autorickshaw driver, also finally landed up in bamboo works after Sunep introduced him to the trade half-a-decade ago.

Meren disclosed that he gave up studies at an early age as he had to sacrifice for his six siblings, who are now earning their own livelihood.

While admitting that the workload is a bit lighter in bamboo works, as compared to dealing with stone boulder work, Meren said he might have to revert to his ‘old trade’ because of the limited opportunities in bamboo sector.

Skill and scope

Sunep said that skill is required to build various structures such as houses, bridges, furniture, scaffold, etc. using bamboo.

They should have expertise in cutting, shaping and joining bamboos to create sturdy and aesthetically pleasing designs, he said.

‘We took training and we thought that there was lots of scope, but it is not as we expected. Today, we are getting work just because of Richard Belho as private parties do not construct structures much using bamboo,’ he added.

When asked if venturing into bamboo works has brought any significance change to his life, he shared that nothing much has change except surviving through the trade.

He went on to share that he has constructed structures like bamboo marketing sheds and gazebos across the state and several other places.

People’s approach and sustainability

Sunep said that people are not so much into constructing bamboo structures today, given that the cost of a foot of processed bamboo is INR 15. However, he maintained that the construction cost using bamboo can be cut by at least one-third as compared to wood.

He also asserted that bamboo structures using bolts and nuts last longer than wood structures, saying that a gazebo he constructed in Touphema village 15 years ago is still standing tall.

However, he lamented lack of scope in bamboo sector, maintaining that it is becoming difficult to even keep a team of workers intact as many opt for other career opportunities.

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Scarcity of bamboo supply

Meanwhile, Sunep informed that processed bamboo, mostly from Nuiland district, is sourced from the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA).

However, he said they still face bamboo scarcity whenever there is a big ongoing construction project as there is only one treatment plant.

He added that irregular power supply is another challenge as their work heavily relies on electricity - from cutting to drilling of bamboo.

Safety and risks

On the aspects of safety, he said that they have to be really careful while working with bamboo as it gets slippery when it rains.

He pointed out that the work requires physical prowess as they work at height and lift heavy materials, besides other works connected with electricity and machinery problems.

Work hours and rewards

It was informed that on a normal working day, people involved in constructing bamboo structures start work from 8 am to 5 pm, with a tea break at noon. On an average, the workers earn INR 800 per day.

But the workers feel their daily wages should be enhanced, keeping in view the high inflation rate.

After learning about the Nagaland Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (NBOCWWB) schemes, many of the workers said that they would register themselves and avail the benefits.

(This story is the first in a series of reports as part of the KPC-NBOCWWB Media Fellowship 2023)

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