Itanagar, Jun 15: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday inaugurated the Arunachal Pradesh Bamboo & Cane Technology Centre at Gungu near Itanagar, describing bamboo as one of the state’s greatest natural assets with the potential to generate employment, entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability and long-term economic growth.
Addressing the gathering, Khandu said the new centre would help transform Arunachal Pradesh’s abundant bamboo resources into value-added products while creating livelihood opportunities for local youth, artisans, self-help groups and entrepreneurs.
Calling bamboo an inseparable part of tribal life and culture, the Chief Minister noted that it has remained deeply embedded in the social, cultural and economic fabric of Arunachal Pradesh for generations.
“Across all 26 major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, bamboo remains an integral part of daily life, culture and tradition,” he said.
Commending the efforts of the Arunachal Pradesh Bamboo Resources and Development Agency (APBRDA), the Forest Department and other stakeholders for establishing the facility, the Chief Minister said the centre would function as a hub for innovation, skill development, value addition and commercialization of bamboo products.
Khandu highlighted how technological advancements have expanded bamboo’s applications far beyond handicrafts and household items. According to him, bamboo is now being used in furniture manufacturing, construction materials, textiles, biofuel production and even aviation fuel.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reforms that removed bamboo from the category of trees under forest regulations and recognized it as grass, making cultivation, transportation and commercial utilization easier.
Describing bamboo as “Green Gold,” Khandu pointed out that Arunachal Pradesh possesses the second-largest bamboo stock in India and is home to more than 60 bamboo species.
The Chief Minister urged unemployed youth, particularly from Gungu and Sangdupota, to take advantage of training facilities at the centre and establish bamboo-based enterprises.
He encouraged Panchayati Raj representatives and community leaders to motivate young people to acquire skills and benefit from government initiatives promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s UNNATI Scheme and various MSME programmes, Khandu said bamboo entrepreneurs could access national and global markets through e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart.
Khandu also advocated bamboo-based prefabricated housing technology for Arunachal Pradesh and other Himalayan states.
He said such structures are cost-effective, lightweight, environment-friendly, and better suited to earthquake-prone regions.
“Arunachal Pradesh falls in a high seismic zone. Bamboo-based prefabricated structures can provide sustainable and aesthetically appealing alternatives while preserving our traditional architectural heritage,” he remarked.
Pointing to successful bamboo economies in countries such as Vietnam, Khandu stressed the importance of adopting a professional and market-oriented approach. He called for a comprehensive bamboo policy, scientific cultivation and regeneration plans, processing and value-addition infrastructure, strong marketing networks, and industrial utilization strategies.
The Chief Minister directed experts and officials associated with APBRDA to prepare a long-term vision document and roadmap for bamboo development across the state.
Highlighting the importance of skill development, Khandu cited a recent case where trained local youth completed an electrical and plumbing project worth Rs 10 lakh, compared to an outside agency’s quotation of Rs 18 lakh.
“This demonstrates the importance of skilling and self-reliance,” he said, adding that Arunachal Pradesh has significant employment opportunities that can be tapped by developing local expertise.
He also noted that ongoing hydropower investments in the state would create demand for thousands of skilled workers in the coming years.
Khandu observed that Sangdupota and surrounding areas are likely to become a major growth corridor for the Capital Region. He noted that institutions such as the National Institute of Technology Arunachal Pradesh, Film and Television Institute Arunachal Pradesh, Law College, Women’s College are already located in the area, and future expansion of the capital region is expected in that direction.
Responding to local demands, the Chief Minister assured support for improved water supply infrastructure and the construction of a bridge connecting the Bamboo & Cane Technology Centre. He directed concerned departments to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for consideration by the state government.
Congratulating APBRDA, scientists and officials involved in the initiative, Khandu expressed confidence that the centre would become a model institution for bamboo-based industrial development and contribute significantly to building a self-reliant and sustainable economy in Arunachal Pradesh.
Among those present on the occasion were Forest Minister Wangki Lowang, Doimukh MLA Nabam Vivek, APBRDA Chairman Kipa Tatar, Vice Chairman Techi Necha, and NEC Member T N Thongdok, along with senior officials, scientists and community representatives.