GFSARD-Global Centre for Bamboo and other NTFP joined hands with South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SAbF), and other global partners to successfully celebrated the 15th World Bamboo Day in Chiang Mai from September 18-21, 2024. The event’s theme was ‘Bamboo Value Chain with SDG Goals’.
The events highlighted bamboo’s critical role in environmental conservation, sustainable development and economic empowerment. Experts attending the event urged the United Nations to declare September 18 as International Bamboo Day to boost global awareness about bamboo’s role in addressing pressing challenges like climate change, poverty and deforestation.
The event was jointly organized by Faculty of Architecture at Chiang Mai University, along with partners such as TECEB, Chiang Mai Life Constructions, Thai Bamboo Community, Malaysia Bamboo Society, Wongpai, Thailand and European Bamboo Society along with international bamboo organizations. The knowledge partners for the event were National Cheng Chung University, Taiwan and National Institute of Design, India. The event attracted 150 participants from 22 countries including 28 participants from India. Indian participants hailed from Assam, Manipur, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Mizoram, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
To mark the occasion, many technical sessions were held. These sessions focused on bamboo related themes namely bamboo plantation and restoration, bamboo carbon farming, bamboo biochar and bamboo construction, innovations & livelihoods. The technical sessions were chaired by experts from both India and other countries. Along with these sessions, three hands-on workshops were organized namely, Bamboo Construction and Architecture (by the Faculty of Architecture, CMU), Bamboo Furniture Design (by the National Institute of Design, India) and Bamboo Bike Making (by Ir. Ahamed, Malaysia).
CEO of Chiang Mai Life Constructions Dr Markus Roselieb delivered the World Bamboo Day Talk 2024 at Panyaden International School. He also showcased sustainability of bamboo in architecture notably through his bamboo-based design of the school. Chief guest Dr Chowna Mein, deputy chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, stressed the importance of integrating bamboo into sustainable development policies.
Founder of World Bamboo Day and Executive Director of SAbF Kamesh Salam stressed, “Bamboo is not just an eco-friendly alternative; it’s a viable solution for sustainable livelihoods.” He proposed holding Global World Bamboo Day Celebration every two years.
Dr. Mein also presented the prestigious “Bamboo Guru” Awards, instituted by the SAbF, to 12 individuals for their exceptional contributions to the promotion and sustainable use of bamboo within the framework of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The 12 recipients were Sapol Boonsermsuk (Thailand), Dr. Shibata Shozo (Japan), Dr. Markus Roselieb (Thailand), Luc AC Boeraeve (Belgium), Ahmad Mazlan Othman (Malaysia), Marc Peeters (Indonesia), Marco Piazza (Italy), Michel Abadie (France), Dulce Blanca Punzalan (Philippines), Susanth C.S. (India), Shi-Ming (Jack) Huang (Taiwan) and Dr. My Hanh Diep (Vietnam).
Recently Global Centre for Bamboo and other NTFPs, Global Forum for Sustainable Rural Development (GFSRD) also partners with The Sahelian Instituted for Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurship Development (SIBRED) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria for the first Sahelian Congress on Bamboo and Rattan (SACOBAR) with other stakeholders resolving to work assiduously together towards the development of bamboo and rattan industry in Nigeria and the entire Sub-Sharan Africa.
Dr. Jayanta Choudhury, Department of Rural Studies, Tripura University and Founder of GFSRD also designed course curriculum, development reding material and train the faculties of Nyebyeya Forest College, Uganda to start Diploma in Bamboo Resource and Technology, the first ever bamboo course in Africa supported by INBAR and approved by National Council of Higher Education, Government of Uganda.
