(Nikhil Kumar Governor of Nagaland

I am glad to know that the Cane & Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC), Guwahati is bringing out a special issue of its newsletter on the occasion of the celebration of the World Bamboo Day and the North East International Bamboo Festival between 16 and 18 September 2010 at Kisama (Kohima), Nagaland. It is appropriate that the Festival is being held in Nagaland for it is the largest producer of bamboo in the country with about 5% of the country's growing bamboo stock.

 

Bamboo, on its part, is an asset to the North East because of its multiple qualities. Apart from it having edible property and utility as fuel, it is used in construction of dwelling units, in irrigation and in fabricating musical instruments. With about 46 bamboo species identified in the state covering an area of over 48,000 hectares, Nagaland has come on the World Bamboo map. But despite its obvious value, its potential has not been fully exploited by the region. The celebrations will, hopefully, help realize this potential in a manner that will lead to economic growth and development of the state and the region.

I wish the CBTC all success in their endeavour to promote bamboo usage in the entire North East.

 

(Nikhil Kumar)