Bermiok, 18th September: The College of Horticulture, Bermiok, Namchi, in collaboration with the Horticulture Department, Government of Sikkim, organised a state-level workshop on World Bamboo Day 2025 under the theme “Next Generation Bamboo: Solution, Innovation and Design.” The event was funded by the National Bamboo Mission. MLA and Advisor Loknath Sharma attended as the chief guest along with officials, board chairpersons, Padma Shri awardee Jorden Lepcha, local representatives, faculty members and students.
The programme featured the release of a Compendium and the felicitation of bamboo artisans of Sikkim Padma Shri Jordan Lepcha, Kul Bahadur Limboo, Phurba Tamang and Lakpa Bhutia. Dr. Tika Prasad Sharma, Secretary of HSS, Gangtok, delivered a lecture on “Bamboo Resources of Sikkim: Status and Utilization.” Bamboo product stalls were also set up in the college premises by different groups of Sikkim.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Loknath Sharma stressed that bamboo has vast utility in a country like India, where bamboo products are in high demand. He encouraged students not to confine knowledge to books but to apply horticulture in real life for livelihood opportunities.
Dean Dr. A.K. Pandey observed that after 75 years of independence India has achieved progress in food production and exports, but natural resources are under pressure due to urbanisation, population growth and climate change. He described climate change as the biggest global challenge. Highlighting bamboo’s role in mitigating these challenges, he pointed out that some species can grow up to three metres in a single day and absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide. He added that bamboo is useful from shoots to leaves, supports food production and value addition, and provides material for eco-friendly houses suitable for seismic zones. He also referred to bamboo-based bio fuel, describing bamboo as a modern-day “Kalpavriksha.”
Farmers Welfare Board Chairman Padam Sharma said bamboo is tied to human life from birth to death and has been central to the life of Himalayan communities. He stressed that development must not lead to destruction and reminded that Sikkim continues to maintain carbon control. He also mentioned the example of Germany trading Stevia worldwide and said Sikkim could promote Stevia as a food sweetener. He further called for the cultivation of crops like Dalle Khorsani and avocado, and suggested fixing a price for Dalle Khorsani.
Padma Shri awardee Jordan Lepcha, popularly known as the “Bamboo Man,” emphasised the importance of holding such workshops regularly to spread knowledge on bamboo.
IFFCO Chairman Raj Kumar Basnett recalled that the National Bamboo Mission was launched in 2006 and highlighted China’s dominance in bamboo production, trade and business. He described bamboo as “green gold” and “the timber of the 21st century,” noting that products such as mufflers, sarees and shawls are made from bamboo. He explained that bamboo leaves can produce biofuel ethanol and that the Chinese moso bamboo species is so productive that a single shoot can sustain a family for a week. He also stressed that locally available bamboo species in Sikkim are highly durable and valuable.
