<span style="color: #222222;">Bamboo is an integral part of the cultural, social and economic tradition of Sikkim. Besides government efforts to uphold this tradition, many individuals and organisations are taking initiatives to take the bamboo-based crafts business forward.</span><br />''<br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">West Sikkim-based Khechuperi Bamboo House, which is operated by young bamboo and wooden craft entrepreneur Indra Kari Limboo, has been producing as well as promoting bamboo crafts. The organisation recently launched a certificate course training on bamboo craft making, which will conclude in the last week of this month. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The skill development programme is supported by the union ministry of environment, forest and climate change and the Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology. It initially focuses on making bamboo mugs, flasks and trays before imparting skills on furniture making.  Mr Limboo shares the objective and details of the skill development programme.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">While such skill development initiatives would help promote self-employment generating ventures, bamboo is a good substitute for plastics and steel, and also an ecologically sustainable raw material as various inputs, especially in the context of Sikkim's eco-sensitive environment.</span>