The news of the Indian union government aiming to replace traditional steel barriers on highways with innovative ‘Bahu Balli’ barriers made entirely of bamboo is real good news. The adoption of bamboo barriers, according to the Road Transport and Highways Minister, is not only eco-friendly but also aims to boost the bamboo industry and generate employment opportunities, particularly for people in the northeast and tribal regions. The agro-climatic conditions in Nagaland, and in fact the whole of NE Region, are ideal for growing bamboo. The region along with West Bengal has about 50% of India’s bamboo stock. Bamboo is found extensively in Nagaland, with bamboo growing stock covering nearly 5% of the total stock in the country.
The Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA) is doing its job well and winning awards and recognition. However, so much more remains to be done in order to make the readily available resource a viable option for livelihood generation. There are vast tracts of land in places like Mokokchung where ‘oceans of bamboo’ are growing. Apart from the traditional uses, these bamboo stocks remain underutilized.
Bamboo is a versatile and sustainable material that has a wide range of applications. The advancement of bamboo processing technology is making it possible to produce a wider range of bamboo products with improved durability. Elsewhere, this is opening up new markets for bamboo and making it a more sustainable and profitable crop for farmers. With the advancement of bamboo technology, the scope and potential for bamboo production is growing. With advancements in technology and increasing awareness of sustainable materials, bamboo has found a wide range of modern-day uses beyond its traditional applications.
Bamboo is a renewable resource that offers numerous benefits due to its strength, flexibility, and rapid growth. The only question is whether we have the know-how to make good use of the naturally available resource. Perhaps, a bamboo treatment and processing plant in Mokokchung should be considered.