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On the occasion of World Bamboo Day, observed every year on September 18, the Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) in Gariaband, Chhattisgarh, took a significant step towards sustainable development by organizing a bamboo plantation drive and a handicraft skill training program for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) communities.
As part of this initiative, 1,200 bamboo saplings were planted across five hectares in the Indagaon range. The event was held under the Sewa Pakhwada campaign, which was celebrated from September 17 to October 2.
The centerpiece of the program was a three-day intensive workshop at Kulhadighat, Mainpur, where local artisans were trained to create high-value bamboo products such as jewellery and decorative items. The sessions were led by Neera Sarma, popularly known as the ‘Bamboo Lady of India’, along with her expert team from Assam. Their goal was to equip villagers with skills to move beyond traditional bamboo crafts like baskets and winnowing fans and instead produce products with greater market demand and higher earning potential.
According to Varun Jain, Deputy Director of USTR, the initiative helped artisans directly connect with buyers, removing the dependency on middlemen and ensuring better income opportunities for PVTG families. Following the initial workshop, a 10–15 day advanced training session was planned to further enhance their skills.
Over 150 villagers and several local representatives, including leaders from nearby villages such as Kulhadighat, Kathwa, and Indagaon, actively participated in the event. The region’s natural bamboo forests provided an abundant resource base, making it ideal for the large-scale production of bamboo crafts.
“This program was not just about training; it was about preserving traditional knowledge, creating sustainable livelihoods, and opening new market opportunities for our tribal communities,” Jain stated.
By empowering artisans and promoting bamboo-based entrepreneurship, the initiative successfully laid the foundation for transforming local economies while preserving the rich cultural heritage of the PVTG communities in Chhattisgarh.
