Bamboo key to sustainability, livelihood — Development Commissioner Aier

DIMAPUR — Development Commissioner of Nagaland, Temsunaro Aier, on Thursday said that bamboo is not just as a natural resource, but also as a vital tool for sustainability, innovation, and livelihood.

The development commissioner asserted that for Nagaland, bamboo is nothing new, as it has long been an integral part of Naga people’s roots, traditions, and everyday life.

Aier was addressing the World Bamboo Day 2025 celebration, organised by the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA) on the theme ‘Next generation bamboo solution, innovation and design,’ at the conference hall of Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre (NBRC), Chümoukedima.

Since time immemorial, bamboo has found a place in homes, food, crafts, festivals, and even music. It is truly and rightly known as the green gold of the land, she said.

Also read: Dimapur to host 4th Nagaland Photography Festival

Aier mentioned that every Naga household has embraced bamboo in one way or another and this rich heritage not only brings pride but also carries with it the responsibility to preserve and carry forward the legacy of bamboo into the future.

She went on to state that since its inception, the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency has been working tirelessly to harness this valuable resource, in alignment with the vision of the Nagaland Bamboo Mission, and added that what started as a modest initiative has today grown into a household name, impacting and enriching lives across the state.

The development commissioner noted that the agency has supported artisans, farmers, and self-help groups with training and assistance, leading to significant growth in bamboo enterprises such as handicrafts, furniture, bamboo shoots, charcoal, incense sticks, blinds, and mats.

Additionally, Aier mentioned that Nagaland is steadily emerging as a hub for bamboo-based industries: beyond production, marketing collaborations with private partners are creating real opportunities for artisans and producers.

This year's theme reminds one to look at bamboo not only through the lens of tradition but also innovation with creativity and research bamboo can be transformed into modern solutions, she added.

At the event, the keynote address was delivered by State Mission Director of NBDA, Kuku Mero, who highlighted that two common facility centres have been established under the product development and processing sector.

These clusters have created employment for over 500 people, both skilled and unskilled, including 50 entrepreneurs. Additionally, three large nurseries have been set up, successfully propagating various bamboo species, with a total of 1, 50,000 saplings now available for plantation, Mero said.

He updated that the state is home to over 43 indigenous species of bamboo, and added that the agency is setting up primary processing units to boost the bamboo industry and foster entrepreneurial ventures in the state.

This includes establishment of two bamboo tooth pick units, four bamboo agarbatti stick units, two bamboo Venetian blinds unit, one bamboo board/tiles unit, three bamboo treatment plants, two bamboo briquette units (waste management unit), 10 handicraft units and 10 treatment plants.

At the event, the best bamboo entrepreneur was awarded to K Bukhaio Khiamniungan, while certificates machineries were also distributed to trainees.