Assam plans big boost to bamboo sector

State govt to host first-ever Green Gold Bamboo Summit April 28-29

To harness the huge potential of the bamboo industry, the Assam government has decided to host the first ever Green Gold Bamboo Summit on April 28 and 29 here.

The summit, under the aegis of Assam Industrial Development Corporation, will see participation of international and national level industry leaders, policy makers, and stakeholders in addition to local entrepreneurs and artisans.

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who will address the summit and delineate his government’s policy, said, “The Northeastern states in general and Assam in particular has immense untapped potential in the bamboo sector. Bamboo is intricately linked to our social and cultural practices, but its global business potential is big. This summit, with participation from leaders from the bamboo technology sector, will be our government’s first step towards realising this potential.” Assam industry minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said, “The summit will bring top technologists and industry leaders from the sector on one platform. The idea is to create linkages between them and our own bamboo cultivators and local industrialists so that we can leverage that to bring innovative bamboo product industries to Assam in future.”

“The event will showcase bamboo as the ultimate business opportunity, bringing all relevant influencers under one umbrella to draw the bamboo dividend,” said Kishor Jayanta Madhab, managing trustee of Care Luit.

India has the second largest reserves of bamboo in the world, and much of this is in Northeastern India. Leveraging this can spur gainful employment and income generation in Assam and the rest of the region, where bamboo is an intrinsic part of the local culture.

It is significant that Bamboo has immense economic potential. Bamboo flooring is a hot trend. It is uniquely attractive, strong, resilient, moisture and stain resistant and environment friendly. Bamboo is also increasingly used for making panels and cabinets.

Bamboo Charcoal has found extensive use in personal and healthcare products.