Neten Dorji

Gyalpoizhing—Dorji Rinchen, a 54-year-old villager from Kalapang in Mongar, saw his life take a meaningful turn when he gained new skills through the Tarayana Foundation’s initiative in his village.

Despite years of experience in bamboo craftsmanship, he lacked the techniques needed to create a broader range of products. However, this changed with the establishment of the Bhutan Tsharzo Institute by the Tarayana Foundation in Kalapang.

The Institute empowered him to diversify his craft, enabling him to produce over 200 different bamboo products, ranging from kitchen items to furniture, thus improving his livelihood.

Bhutan Tsharzo Institute in Kalapang

“I have the skills to make basic items like bangchung,” he said. “Now, I can create baskets, containers, mats, and even decorative pieces that sell for higher prices.”

This newfound expertise led to his hiring as a master artisan at the Bhutan Tsharzo Institute, which not only increased his income but also boosted his confidence to teach others.

Rinchen Dema, 54, from Mangling, said the training has improved her household income. “Bamboo has always been part of our culture, but we never thought it would become our main source of income,” she said. “With the right skills and market access, we are now able to sell our products not just locally, but also in nearby towns.”

She said that in the past, men in the village had to work at construction sites to earn money.

The demand for bamboo products such as baskets, mats, and other handicraft products has surged, especially as consumers show growing interest in sustainable, eco-friendly goods.

Tashi Lhamo, a mother of two from Kalapang, explained how the craft has shifted from being a side job to a respected livelihood. “In the past, crafting bamboo items was seen as a side job. Now, with more people appreciating handmade products, we are proud of what we do,” she said.

She added that the growing interest in bamboo products has led to an initiative to promote sustainable practices in the village, with locals planting more bamboo.

The skills imparted by the Tsharzo Institute are also being passed on to younger generations.

Sangay Choden, a Class X dropout,who attended the workshops, is now employed at the centre. She shared her excitement about learning a valuable craft.

“It is not just about learning a craft; it’s about building a sustainable future,” she said. “With these new skills, we can now create products that people want to buy, and that has brought us financial security and confidence.”

Pema Wangmo, a youth from Gongdu, explained the craft has improved the livelihoods of the people and help preserve traditional art of bamboo crafting in Gongdu and Saling gewogs in Mongar.

“I didn’t learn until I joined the institute,” said Tshering Lhamo, another youth. “Education is important, but skills are also essential, as there is competition for jobs in the market.”

Through dedicated workshops and skill-sharing sessions, the Tarayana Foundation has helped preserve the traditional craft while introducing modern techniques to create marketable products.

Neten Tshering, assistant field officer of Bhutan Tsharzo Institute, emphasised the broader significance of the initiative. “These programmes are about more than just giving training,” he said. “We empower communities like Kalapang, Daksa, and Kheng, helping them achieve financial independence and a sense of purpose.”

The Tsharzo Institute not only promotes bamboo craftsmanship but also encourages the planting of bamboo.

Sustainable measures

To ensure sustainable management of natural forest resources, particularly bamboo, the Mangling Shingmin Detshen and Daksa Tsharzo Detshen have initiated bamboo plantations in their respective villages to preserve the tradition of bamboo crafting.

The Tsharzo Institute also distributed bamboo saplings to villagers and began plantations around the institute.

Nakphel, a 36-year-old villager, said that there are strict rules and regulations for their members to prevent indiscriminate cutting of bamboo in the forests.

“In the past, bamboo collection was unregulated and depended on the availability of family members who would cut the bamboo,” Nakphel said. “There were no specific rules for caring for bamboo in the forest, and sustainability was not a concern due to a lack of knowledge and awareness.”

Now, people are planting bamboo on their private land, with some already growing enough bamboo to support their weaving work.

Each year, every household in Kalapang, Daksa, Mangling, and Gongdu earns more than Nu 30,000 from the sale of bamboo products.

“Everything, including basic items like rice, oil, and salt, is bought from shops with the money we earn from tsharzho,” said Tashi Tenzin, a villager from Daksa.

Tashi Tenzin also emphasised that planting cane and bamboo would secure the community’s livelihood, even if raw materials in the wild were depleted.