Khotang, Feb 28: The First National Bamboo Conference kicked off on Thursday in Diktel Bazaar, running from February 27 to March 1.
The event was officially inaugurated at the Khotang Multi-Purpose Covered Hall, with an exhibition showcasing various bamboo products at the nearby Matikore playground.
Organized primarily by Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, the conference features 51 stalls displaying a range of bamboo-based and locally produced agricultural items. The welcome gate and stage at the exhibition venue have also been crafted from bamboo, reflecting the event’s theme: “Where there is bamboo, there is life; where there is life, there is bamboo.”
Mayor Tirtha Raj Bhattarai highlighted that traditional Nepali lingle ping and rote ping have been set up for entertainment. Over 300 guests from outside Khotang district are attending, and bamboo experts are set to present 23 research papers on various aspects of bamboo cultivation, utilization, and industry growth.
The conference is co-organized by the Forest Research and Training Centre, Ministry of Forest and Environment (Koshi Province), and Green Bamboo Creation, Lalitpur. The primary goal is to promote bamboo as a sustainable source of income and encourage its widespread use.
Deputy Mayor Bishan Rai expressed optimism that thousands of visitors would attend the event. As a symbolic initiative, organizers have decided to gift bamboo chairs to high-ranking officials—a move aimed at promoting the practical use of bamboo products and urging the government to implement policies supporting local industries.
The municipality is home to 13 different varieties of bamboo, reinforcing its potential as a key economic resource. #bamboo #nepal
