Agartala 18 September, 2024: World Bamboo Day 2024 was celebrated at Pragna Bhawan in Agartala on 18th September 2024, where dignitaries, artisans, bamboo growers, and stakeholders committed to the growth of the bamboo sector in Tripura. The event was graced by the Hon’ble Minister of Industries and Commerce, Smt. Santana Chakma, along with senior State Government Officials like Principal Secretary (Forest)/PCCF & HoFF, Sri R.K. Samal; Secretary of Industries & Commerce, Sri Kiran Gitte; PCCF; CEO & PD of JICA (SCATFORM), Sri Pravin Agarwal; CEO of IGDC, Sri Wangdup Bhutia; and S. Prabhu, Mission Director of the Tripura Bamboo Mission. Representatives from the Tripura State Cooperative Bank, State Bank of India, Tripura Gramin Bank, NABARD, NTFP Centre of Excellence, TFDPC Ltd., and bamboo craftsmen, growers, agarbatti and mechanized stick manufacturers were also present.
Highlighting the day’s events, 18 emerging entrepreneurs and artisans were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to the bamboo industry, including bamboo handicrafts, bamboo growing, and nursery professionals. Each was honored with a traditional Risha and a memento as a token of appreciation for their dedication and innovation in the bamboo sector. This gesture not only acknowledged their efforts but also encouraged further engagement and development within the community.
Mission Director of the Tripura Bamboo Mission, S. Prabhu, highlighted the significance of celebrating World Bamboo Day and the importance of bamboo in the socio-economic development of Tripura. Hon’ble Minister Smt. Santana Chakma, in her address, emphasized the importance of bamboo as a versatile material and sustainable resource. She acknowledged the efforts of bamboo growers and craftsmen in contributing to the state’s economy and reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting bamboo-related industries. To augment handicraft production and support bamboo artisans, toolkits for bamboo bottle-making were distributed to TULM-sponsored artisans under the National Bamboo Mission scheme. This initiative aimed at equipping artisans with the necessary tools to enhance their craftsmanship and productivity. The distribution of these toolkits represents a step toward empowering local artisans and promoting bamboo-based products on a larger scale.
Sri R.K. Samal, Principal Secretary (Forest)/PCCF & HoFF, spoke about the environmental benefits of bamboo and its role in promoting a green economy. Secretary of Industries & Commerce, Sri Kiran Gitte, discussed various initiatives undertaken by the government to support bamboo cultivation and the development of bamboo-based products. He highlighted the launch of an ADB-NBM-supported project on “Value Chain Development of Bamboo in North Eastern States,” under which an Integrated Bamboo Park with all required infrastructure has been proposed, along with primary processing centers, with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 210 Cr. CEO of IGDC, Sri Wandup Bhutia, also shared insights about ongoing projects and the potential of bamboo in generating employment and fostering sustainable livelihoods.
Interactive sessions were organized for bamboo artisans and growers, providing them with a platform to exchange knowledge and explore new opportunities in the bamboo sector. These sessions were attended by Sri Arun Kumar, Director of the Directorate of Handloom, Handicrafts & Sericulture; Sri S. Prabhu, Mission Director of the Tripura Bamboo Mission; Dr. Abhinab Kant, In-charge of BCDI; and Sri Prasad Rao, Director of NCE.
World Bamboo Day serves as a reminder of the potential of bamboo as a key resource for sustainable development. The celebration at Pragna Bhawan was a testament to Tripura’s dedication to leveraging this resource for economic growth, environmental conservation, and community empowerment. The Tripura Bamboo Mission extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participants, stakeholders, and guests for making this event a grand success. This was communicated in a press release by the Additional Mission Director of the Tripura Bamboo Mission.
