Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the Arunachal Pradesh Bamboo & Cane Technology Centre at Gungu near Itanagar and described bamboo as one of the State’s greatest natural strengths capable of driving sustainable economic growth, entrepreneurship, employment generation and environmental conservation.The Chief Minister said the newly inaugurated centre would play a pivotal role in transforming Arunachal Pradesh’s vast bamboo resources into value-added products while creating livelihood opportunities for local youth, artisans, self-help groups and entrepreneurs.Describing bamboo as an inseparable part of tribal life and culture, Khandu said bamboo has been deeply woven into the social, cultural and economic fabric of Arunachal Pradesh for generations.“Bamboo is not a new subject for us. Long before modern institutions came into existence, bamboo played a central role in the lives of our tribal communities. Across all 26 major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, bamboo remains an integral part of daily life, culture and tradition,” he said.Also read | India's new telecom war may unfold at the roadsideThe Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the Arunachal Pradesh Bamboo Resources and Development Agency (APBRDA), the Forest Department and all stakeholders involved in establishing the technology centre. He said the facility would serve as a hub for innovation, skill development, value addition and commercialization of bamboo-based products.Referring to recent technological advancements in bamboo processing, Khandu observed that bamboo is no longer limited to traditional handicrafts and household items but has emerged as a versatile industrial resource with applications ranging from furniture and construction materials to textiles, biofuel and aviation fuel.He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing transformative reforms in the bamboo sector by removing bamboo from the category of trees under forest regulations and recognizing it as grass, thereby simplifying procedures related to cultivation, transportation and commercial utilization.Also read | One worry wanes, but India already stares at another“Today bamboo is rightly called ‘Green Gold’. Arunachal Pradesh possesses the second-largest bamboo stock in the country and more than 60 bamboo species. We must harness this immense resource professionally and scientifically for the benefit of our people,” he said.The Chief Minister called upon local youth, particularly unemployed youth from the Gungu and Sangdupota areas, to utilize the training facilities available at the centre and develop entrepreneurial ventures based on bamboo products.He urged Panchayati Raj representatives, community leaders and local stakeholders to motivate young people to acquire skills through the centre and take advantage of various government schemes designed to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment.Highlighting opportunities under the Prime Minister’s UNNATI Scheme and various MSME programmes, Khandu said bamboo-based enterprises have the potential to access national and international markets through modern e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart.The Chief Minister also advocated the adoption of bamboo-based prefabricated housing technology in Arunachal Pradesh and across the Himalayan region. He observed that bamboo-based structures are cost-effective, lightweight, environmentally sustainable and better suited to seismic zones than conventional construction methods.“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 said.Emphasizing the need for innovation in infrastructure development, Khandu called for greater research into region-specific technologies for roads, housing and public infrastructure suited to the climatic and geographical conditions of the North Eastern and Himalayan states.He further highlighted the vast industrial potential of bamboo, including its use in textiles, furniture, handicrafts, biofuel production, ethanol manufacturing and sustainable construction materials.Referring to countries such as Vietnam, where bamboo contributes significantly to the economy, the Chief Minister said Arunachal Pradesh must adopt a professional and market-oriented approach to developing its bamboo sector.He stressed the need for a comprehensive bamboo policy and a scientific roadmap covering bamboo cultivation, processing, regeneration, marketing and industrial utilization.The Chief Minister directed experts, scientists and officials associated with APBRDA to prepare a long-term vision document and roadmap for bamboo development across Arunachal Pradesh. He said bamboo flowering and regeneration cycles should be scientifically managed to ensure uninterrupted availability of raw materials.Khandu also advocated expansion of similar bamboo technology and training centres to other parts of the State, particularly in eastern and western Arunachal Pradesh, to ensure wider access to training and livelihood opportunities.The Chief Minister underlined the importance of skill development in reducing dependence on outside labour and creating employment opportunities for local youth. Citing a recent example, he said a group of Arunachali youth trained through government-supported skilling programmes successfully completed an electrical and plumbing project for Rs 10 lakh, compared to an outside agency’s quotation of Rs 18 lakh.“This demonstrates the importance of skilling and self-reliance. Arunachal Pradesh has immense employment opportunities. We must equip our youth with the necessary skills and reduce dependence on external manpower,” he said.Highlighting the massive investments currently flowing into the State through hydropower projects, the Chief Minister said thousands of skilled workers would be required in the coming years, making skill development a critical priority.Khandu further noted that Sangdupota and adjoining areas are poised to become an important growth corridor for the Capital Region. He said several educational and institutional establishments, including NIT, Film & Television Institute, Law College and Women’s College, are already located in the area and future expansion of the Capital Region is expected to take place in this direction.Responding to local demands, the Chief Minister assured support for strengthening water supply infrastructure and construction of a bridge to improve connectivity to the Bamboo & Cane Technology Centre. He directed the concerned departments to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the proposed projects for consideration by the State Government.Congratulating the Arunachal Pradesh Bamboo Resources and Development Agency, scientists and officials associated with the initiative, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the centre would emerge as a model institution for bamboo-based industrial development and significantly contribute towards building a self-reliant and sustainable economy in Arunachal Pradesh.