Hornbill Bamboo Carnival kicks off in Chümoukedima

DIMAPUR — The Hornbill Bamboo Carnival, the three-day extension of the Hornbill Festival, was inaugurated on Sunday at the Bamboo Amphitheatre, Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre (NBRC), 6th Mile, Chümoukedima.

The event is being organised by the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA).

Speaking as the special guest at the bamboo carnival, chairman of the NBDA, Nuzota Swuro, said that the introduction of the Hornbill Bamboo Carnival as an integral part of the Hornbill Festival reflects the government’s commitment to promoting bamboo, widely recognised as ‘Green gold.’

The NBDA chairman acknowledged the pioneers and leaders who have shaped the agency’s two-decade journey in transforming bamboo into an economic and ecological resource.

Swuro informed that NBDA, established in 2005 following the adoption of the Nagaland Bamboo Policy (2004), serves as the nodal agency for bamboo development in the state. Its mission focuses on transforming bamboo from a traditional household material into a driver of poverty alleviation, employment generation, ecological security and sustainable industry, he said.

He highlighted that bamboo plantation has been promoted across all districts with intensive management. Under the National Bamboo Mission and National Mission on Bamboo Applications, NBDA has covered 45,621 hectares of plantation and 1,506 hectares of block plantations. From 2021–2024 alone, 432 hectares of block plantations were developed, while 474 hectares were maintained in farmers’ and community lands.

NBDA has also introduced successful species through its nurseries, including Bambusa balcooa and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, and distributed 24 lakh saplings to farmers.

Also read: 13th Dimapur Night Carnival kicks off at Clock Tower

Hornbill Festival 2025: Governor Bhalla visits Captain Kenguruse Pavilion

At the NBRC complex, a Bamboo Septum has been established, preserving 26 species and providing hands-on learning for students and researchers, he informed.

To strengthen market access, the NBDA has set up 16 rural bamboo haats and 32 bamboo bazaars, in addition to gazebos, wayside amenities, and community sheds.

Branding initiatives such as Green Basket, Bamboo Shell, Internodes and upgrades to the ‘Naturally Nagaland’ emporia in New Delhi and Kolkata have enhanced product visibility, he added.

Swuro went on to stated that between 2021 and 2024, the agency established five furniture units, one bamboo shoot processing unit and six primary processing units. Production capacities include 300 tons of bamboo charcoal briquettes, treatment of 1.6 lakh bamboo poles under the vacuum pressure impregnation plant, 500 kg monthly bamboo strip production, 12 tons of bamboo agarbatti sticks per month and 5,000 sq. ft. monthly venetian blinds output.

Training programmes have benefited 160 farmers and entrepreneurs between 2021 and 2024, including skill training for artisans during World Bamboo Day 2025. NBDA also participated in two domestic and two international trade exhibitions to expand buyer networks, he informed.

The NBDA chairman further disclosed that the carnival will showcase bamboo applications across crafts, art, music and cuisine, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.

Going forward, NBDA plans to strengthen bamboo research and marketing through a proposed Bamboo Research and Training Centre and expanded market linkages, he added.

Earlier, NBDA team member M Imkonglemba delivered the welcome address.

The highlight of the event included launching of coffee table book celebrating 20 years of NBDA and launching of   exhibition stalls by the special guest.