The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications, launched two major bamboo sector projects with a combined outlay of ₹82.5 crore in Guwahati, aimed at strengthening traditional livelihoods and promoting industrial development in the North Eastern Region.

The projects are being implemented by the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council, under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, in coordination with the North Eastern Council. They were developed over 18 months through value-chain assessments, cluster studies, market research and extensive stakeholder consultations.

Project 1: Strengthening Traditional Bamboo Artisan Clusters

• The first initiative is “Strengthening Traditional Bamboo Artisan Clusters”
• Focuses on modernising tools, designs and production processes.
• Upgradation of Common Facility Centres and integration with digital and organised retail platforms.
• Expected to benefit over 4,500 bamboo artisans through skill development, quality improvement and better market access.
• Memorandums of Understanding signed with Amazon India and Flipkart to support onboarding, catalogue development and pan-India market linkage.

Project 2: Promotion of Engineered Bamboo Products

• The second project is “Promotion of Engineered Bamboo Products.”
• Aims at industrial-scale value-added bamboo manufacturing such as boards, panels, furniture and composite materials in Assam and Nagaland.
• Targets sustainable alternatives to timber, plastics and conventional construction materials.
• Two advanced clusters will be established in Karbi Anglong and Mokokchung.
• Support for 1,000 hectares of certified bamboo plantations and training of 1,000 youth and artisans.
• Implemented in partnership with All Time Plastics Ltd, following zero-waste, circular economy principles and international sustainability standards.

Strategic Importance of Bamboo for the Region

• Bamboo, often called “green gold,” holds strategic importance for India’s sustainable development goals.
• The Northeast accounts for nearly one-third of India’s bamboo area and 38 % of its total bamboo stock. 
• These projects represent a shift from fragmented bamboo activities to a structured, market-led ecosystem expected to enhance livelihoods and strengthen regional trade linkages within and beyond India.

Exam Hook – 

Consider the following statements:

1. The North Eastern Region holds a major share of India’s bamboo resources.
2. The Promotion of Engineered Bamboo Products project aims to replace timber and plastics with sustainable bamboo alternatives.
3. The bamboo projects launched under DoNER exclude private sector participation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: 1 and 2 only

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