Manipur, one of India’s largest bamboo-producing states, covers 3,268 sq km of pure bamboo brakes. The state grows 55 species of bamboo, contributing 25% to the North Eastern Region’s bamboo stock and 14% to the country. Bamboo is integral to Manipur’s culture and economy, used for construction, fuel, food, tools, crafts and religious ceremonies. Most households maintain bamboo colonies, and bamboo products generate significant revenue for the state’s forest department. Manipur also leads the Northeast in handicraft units and skilled artisans, further boosting its bamboo industry.
On 18 September 2024, Assam Rifles commemorated World Bamboo Day with events across Haolenphai, Chongjang, and Waroiching villages in Tegnoupal, Manipur. The celebration aimed to highlight the significance of bamboo as a sustainable resource, promoting its potential for economic and environmental development.
At Haolenphai and Chongjang, the event attracted approximately 260 participants and included a bamboo craft exhibition, workshops on bamboo cultivation and sustainable use. Local artists performed cultural displays, emphasizing bamboo’s role in the region’s socio-economic and ecological balance.
Simultaneously, at Company Operating Base in Waroiching, Bishnupur District the event featured a lecture on bamboo’s versatility and sustainability, followed by an impressive display of bamboo products crafted by 20 local artisans.
The celebration concluded with a tea party, strengthening bonds between Assam Rifles personnel and the villagers, and underscoring the commitment to supporting local traditions and sustainable practices.
The events collectively underscored Assam Rifles’ dedication to community development, conservation, and the promotion of bamboo’s economic potential and environmental benefits.
