Chandrapur discusses new opportunities in bamboo industry at Global Bamboo Week

There is great potential going forward in bamboo-based industries, and good coordination between the forest department, research institutions, industry, the technology sector, farmers and local communities is essential for the development of this entire sector. This was stated by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests R. M. Ramanujam in Chandrapur. According to him, bamboo development should not be seen as limited to plantation and production alone, but should be regarded as a means of strengthening sustainable employment, local jobs and the rural economy.

Ramanujam was speaking while presiding over an event on the second day of Global Bamboo Week 2026, held on the theme "Bamboo for the Future: From Tradition to Innovation," at Chandrapur Van Prabodhini. The week is being held from September 14 to 18, with the aim of connecting bamboo, beyond its traditional uses, with science, research, modern technology, sustainable development, value addition and new innovation. Senior forest department officials, scientists, researchers, professors, entrepreneurs and bamboo sector experts provided guidance in various sessions on the second day.

Present on the occasion were Umesh Verma, Director of the Bamboo Research and Training Centre, Chichpalli, and Additional Director (Training) of Chandrapur Van Prabodhini; Dr. Lal Singh, Senior Scientist at NEERI Nagpur; Ayush Raj Sinha, Senior Manager (Strategy) at New Era Clean Tech Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Bhadravati; Dr. Tarika Dagadkar, Professor in the Architecture Department at SMMCA Nagpur; Vishwanath Chavan, Deputy Director of Chandrapur Van Prabodhini; Hanumant Jadhav; Ashwini Jadhav; session conductors Sambhaji Gawali and Ramdas Pujari; Satish Shende, Forest Range Officer at BRTC; and Vaibhav Mogrekar, CEO of Dnyan Prabodhini Innovation Foundation, Pune.

In his opening remarks, Umesh Verma explained the thinking behind organising Global Bamboo Week and gave details of various programmes being run through BRTC. Ayush Raj Sinha spoke on sustainable bamboo development, modern technology and upcoming opportunities in the industrial sector. According to him, it is necessary to build an effective link to bring technology developed through research to actual industry and the market.

Dr. Lal Singh gave guidance on restoring the environment and protecting the ecosystem through bamboo. He said bamboo could be used more effectively to balance environmental and economic needs. Vaibhav Mogrekar, CEO of Dnyan Prabodhini Innovation Foundation, gave guidance on the subject of "giving bamboo new direction through value addition."

In addition, Anil Chowk of Sanjeevani Agro Machinery, Nagpur; Dr. Gunjan Patil of Bilaspur; Dr. Bhupesh Giridharan of Nagaland; and Shravan Kumar Chivukula of Telangana gave guidance online on various bamboo-related subjects.

The programme was conducted by BRTC supervisor Yogita Sathavane and department head Sumedh Lichade. Retired Assistant Conservator of Forests Ramdas Pujari proposed the vote of thanks. Teachers and students from Dr. Ambedkar College, Sardar Patel College, Sushilabai Mamidwar Social Work College, Janata College, FES Girls College and Rajiv Gandhi College attended in large numbers. Certificates were distributed to the students who took part in the programme.