Dr. Gorakh Singh, Horticulture Commissioner of India

I am glad to know that the World Bamboo Day as well as the North East International Bamboo Festival are being celebrated under the joint initiative of the Government of Nagaland and the World Bamboo Organization at Kisama in Nagaland during 16th - 18th September,
2010.

Bamboo is one of the natural resources abundantly found in the NE region of India. However, its potential has not been fully realized for economic development of the country. In order to promote the holistic development of bamboo, the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government of India launched a centrally sponsored scheme on "National Bamboo Mission" during 2006-07 in the country.

The State of Nagaland is performing better in the implementation of the National Bamboo Mission both in forest and non forest areas and is one of the leading states in the bamboo sector in the region. The celebration of World Bamboo Day and North East International Banlboo Festival will not only generate mass awareness but it will also help farmers to earn their livelihood through the promotion of Bamboo Sector in the region.

I wish a grand success to these events.

(Dr. Gorakh Singh)
Horticulture Commissioner of India