The Bamboo & NTFP Development Association (BNDA)

For many rural communities in Houaphan Province, bamboo and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are more than resources from the forest. They are an important part of people’s livelihoods, food, traditional knowledge, and local economy. But managing these resources sustainably requires knowledge and cooperation.

Since its establishment in 2020, the Bamboo & NTFP Development Association (BNDA) has been working to support the sustainable use of bamboo and NTFP resources.

BNDA works to assess bamboo and NTFP products and provide technical guidance on how to harvest them in a sustainable way, including how much can be harvested without putting too much pressure on the resources.

The Association also reviews rules and regulations related to forest management. This helps villagers better understand how to manage and use their bamboo forests and NTFPs.

Some BNDA members have many years of experience working with GRET, which has helped build their knowledge and experience in working with local communities and natural resources.

Working together with villagers, local authorities, producer groups, and other partners, BNDA supports communities to monitor forest resources, follow agreed rules, improve the production of dried bamboo shoots, bamboo slats and sticks, handicrafts, and other products, and connect their products with markets. This way of working helps communities take greater responsibility for the resources they depend on.

Through training and support, producer groups can improve the quality of their products, work with traders, and find better market opportunities. Sharing knowledge with villagers is an important part of BNDA’s work. The goal is not only to improve the income of individual households, but also to help the wider community benefit from its natural resources.