Northeast Bamboo Conclave charts roadmap for green growth and bio-economy

The Northeast Bamboo Conclave 2025, held at Guwahati, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to chart a strategic roadmap for a sustainable bamboo economy in the region.

Organised by the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC) with support from the North Eastern Council (NEC), the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), and the National Bamboo Mission (NBM), the conclave coincided with World Bamboo Day 2025 and revolved around the theme Promoting Investments, CSR and Bio-Economy.

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Bamboo, often referred to as “green gold,” is deeply interwoven with the livelihoods and cultural practices of the Northeast. With nearly two-thirds of India’s bamboo resources concentrated in the region, experts view it as a game-changer for green industries, sustainable construction, packaging, and biofuels. Assam Bio Ethanol Private Limited, India’s first bio-refinery producing fuel-grade ethanol from bamboo biomass — inaugurated recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi — has already signaled the transformative potential of bamboo in the region’s energy landscape.

At the conclave, NECBDC Managing Director M C Omi Ningshen stressed that bamboo can become a cornerstone of India’s bio-economy if traditional knowledge is blended with modern technology and market-driven approaches. He underlined the need for collaboration between government, PSUs, and private enterprises to unlock investments, create scalable market linkages, and drive innovation.

The day featured technical sessions on MSME promotion, export linkages, and sustainable value chains, with participation from Amazon, Bamboostan, and the Assam State Bamboo Mission. Success stories of local entrepreneurs showcased how bamboo is powering livelihoods and green growth across the region.

MoUs were signed with Numaligarh Refinery Limited and SELCO Foundation for CSR-led bamboo development, as well as with IIT Guwahati and NID Ahmedabad for design and research collaborations.

NECBDC also highlighted its recent agreement with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) to develop indigenous bamboo processing machinery.

The conclave concluded with a high-level panel including members of NEC, NEHHDC, FICCI, SIDBI, and NID, which envisioned a Viksit Bamboo Sector for a Viksit Northeast by 2047. The roadmap outlined at Guwahati reaffirmed the Northeast’s role at the heart of India’s bamboo strategy, with a focus on sustainability, employment generation, and regional development.