ITANAGAR : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday described bamboo as the state’s “Green Gold” and called upon local youth to harness its vast potential for entrepreneurship, employment generation and sustainable economic growth.
Inaugurating the Arunachal Pradesh Bamboo & Cane Technology Centre at Gungu near here, Khandu said the new centre would transform the state’s abundant bamboo resources into value-added products and create livelihood opportunities for youth, artisans, self-help groups and entrepreneurs, an official release said.
Arunachal possesses the country’s second-largest bamboo stock and over 60 bamboo species.
“Bamboo is not a new subject for us. It has always been an integral part of the social, cultural and economic life of our tribal communities,” the chief minister said, adding that the facility would serve as a hub for innovation, skill development, value addition and commercialisation of bamboo products.
Highlighting the expanding industrial applications of bamboo, the Khandu said it is no longer confined to traditional handicrafts but is now being used in furniture, construction materials, textiles, biofuel and even aviation fuel.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reforms that removed bamboo from the category of trees under forest regulations, making its cultivation and commercial use easier.
The chief minister urged unemployed youth, especially from the Gungu and Sangdupota areas, to take advantage of the training facilities at the centre and government-backed entrepreneurship schemes.
He said bamboo-based enterprises can tap national and international markets through e-commerce platforms and benefit from initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s UNNATI Scheme and various MSME programmes.
Advocating bamboo-based prefabricated housing technology, Khandu said such structures are lightweight, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable, making them particularly suitable for earthquake-prone Himalayan regions.
He also stressed the need for a comprehensive bamboo policy and directed experts and officials of the Arunachal Pradesh Bamboo Resources and Development Agency (APBRDA) to prepare a long-term roadmap for bamboo cultivation, processing, regeneration and industrial utilisation.
Emphasising the importance of skill development, the chief minister said the state must reduce its dependence on outside labour by equipping local youth with market-relevant skills.
He observed that with major hydropower projects underway, Arunachal Pradesh would require thousands of skilled workers in the coming years.
Khandu also said Sangdupota and adjoining areas are emerging as a key growth corridor for the Capital region due to the presence of major educational and institutional establishments.
Responding to local demands, he assured support for improving water supply infrastructure and constructing a bridge to enhance connectivity to the Bamboo & Cane Technology centre.
Forest Minister Wangki Lowang, local MLA Nabam Vivek, APBRDA Chairman Kipa Tatar, Vice Chairman Techi Necha, NEC Member T N Thongdok, senior officials, scientists and representatives of various boards and agencies were present on the occasion. (Source: PTI)
