World Bamboo Day

World Bamboo Day is observed globally on 18 September to raise awareness about bamboo. This day highlights the numerous medicinal and practical uses of bamboo, and the World Bamboo Organization has taken initiatives for its conservation, sustainable use, and the protection of our environment. This day serves as a celebration to promote global awareness of bamboo, encourage its cultivation, and support its traditional uses for community and economic development.^[1][2]

World Bamboo Day was officially established on September 18 at the 8th World Bamboo Congress held in Bangkok in 2009 and declared by the Thai Royal Forest Department.^[3][4] People and businesses from around the world use this day to raise awareness of the benefits of bamboo and to promote its use in everyday products.^[5] On this day each year, its celebration has included bamboo planting ceremonies, 5K races, various contests and other kinds of celebrations around the world.^[6]. Representatives from around 100 countries participated in the congress and unanimously agreed to establish the day. The proposal was initiated by Kamesh Salam, the former president of the World Bamboo Organization. People and businesses from around the world use this day to raise awareness of the benefits of bamboo and to promote its use in everyday products.^[7] Millions of people emphasized the importance of bamboo for human welfare. The date was chosen to coincide with Royal Thai Forestry Day. Every year, on 18 September, World Bamboo Day is observed globally under the organization of the World Bamboo Organization to promote awareness about the benefits of bamboo and to encourage its use as an everyday product.^[8]

Bamboo holds immense economic and cultural value in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and South Asia. World Bamboo Day raises awareness about the usefulness of this plant and promotes its conservation and use. Today, people are learning about the various uses of bamboo in both personal and professional contexts. Due to its exceptional strength, bamboo is used in the production of musical instruments, artworks, and construction materials.^[1]