Bamboo-reinforced laterite soil can be as strong as brick masonry with cement mortar, while bamboo grids can safely withstand both live and dead loads, making them suitable for residential floors and roofs. Such construction techniques could bring hope and relief to disaster victims in Jajarkot and Ilam, who have been desperately seeking affordable shelter
Climate change has been threatening the very existence of humankind. If it could lead to the disappearance of mighty dinosaurs, as some theoreticians suggest, tiny human beings would be even more vulnerable. It has now been well established that greenhouse gases-chiefly carbon dioxide-are responsible for this alarming situation. These gases are largely produced by the excessive use of fossil fuels, followed by the overuse of construction materials such as cement and steel.
While cement and steel may be indispensable for large structures like skyscrapers, they are not necessarily required for residential buildings. In Europe, Japan, and even the United States, timber and other locally available materials are widely used for housing. In Nepal, however, cement and steel have come to dominate residential construction, pushing suitable materials like bamboo into the background.
This is unfortunate because the production of one ton of cement emits approximately one ton of carbon dioxide, while one ton of steel emits nearly two tons. Bamboo, in contrast, absorbs about one ton of carbon dioxide during its growth. It is one of the fastest-growing plants, and its tensile and compressive strengths are comparable to those of steel. Moreover, bamboo is widely available across Nepal, found in 74 districts. In Nepali culture, it is used throughout life-from the cradle to the funeral pyre.
It is therefore no surprise that bamboo has traditionally been used as a structural material, particularly in the Tarai region. Non-structural uses, such as bamboo baskets and umbrellas, are also common. Yet, instead of researching and promoting its extensive use, bamboo is sometimes dismissed by sections of the upper class for no valid reason.
This attitude, however, is beginning to change. Last February, Mayor Tirtha Prasad Bhattarai organised a Bamboo Conference in Diktel, Khotang, which drew participants from across the country. The conference declared Diktel the "Bamboo Capital" and decided to establish a Centre for Bamboo Research, Training, and Education.
Despite this initiative, the government initially appeared indifferent to the mayor's appeal to promote bamboo. In protest, Mayor Bhattarai went on a fast unto death, after which the government agreed to his demands. Subsequently, the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), in close collaboration with Habitat for Humanity International (HHI) Nepal, prepared a Manual for the Design of Bamboo Structures – a commendable achievement.
The manual was publicly launched last week at a gala event held at the Himalaya Hotel in Lalitpur. The programme was chaired by Rabindra Bohara, Director General of DUDBC, with Minister Kul Man Ghising as the chief guest. After the welcome remarks, engineer Devendra Dev Khanal, who played a pivotal role as Member Secretary of the working committee, presented the manual.
Khanal highlighted both the structural and general aspects of bamboo construction, explaining the process of building a typical house from foundation to roof ridge. He also emphasised the low cost of construction, which generated considerable interest among the audience.
Minister Ghising elaborated on the significance of the bamboo manual, noting that bamboo has already been used in temporary structures for hydropower projects. He stressed the need to develop architectural identity by using traditional roofing materials instead of galvanised iron sheets.
He also pointed out the contradiction of wasting local bamboo and timber while simultaneously importing timber from abroad. The chairman concluded the inaugural session by promising to develop norms and specifications for bamboo construction in the near future.
A particularly striking feature of the programme was the panel discussion that followed. Moderated by Dr Pramod KC and chaired by Ek Raj Bhattarai, Deputy Director General of DUDBC, the session opened with two inspiring presentations by Amshu Kumar Pal and Dr Kishore Timilsina, the latter presenting research conducted at the newly established Madan Bhandari University.
The panel included Mayor Bhattarai, Rajmati Ingnam, Chairperson of Kanepokhari Rural Municipality, and this columnist. Heartfelt remarks by bamboo house owner Laxmi Kumari Mudharni of Kanepokhari, along with the screening of a video titled "Bamboo Home: A Hope", further enriched the programme.
While Mayor Bhattarai challenged bamboo advocates to practise what they preach by building bamboo houses themselves, Ms Ingnam responded by describing how her municipality has already completed a bamboo housing complex. This columnist reflected on his own bamboo journey, which began five decades ago. He explained how bamboo-reinforced laterite soil can be as strong as brick masonry with cement mortar, and how bamboo grids can safely withstand both live and dead loads, making them suitable for residential floors and roofs.
Such construction techniques could bring hope and relief to disaster victims in Jajarkot and Ilam, who have been desperately seeking affordable shelter. Bamboo construction is not only economical for the poor but also climate-resilient and environmentally friendly.
Prof. Jiba Raj Pokharel, Ph.D., is former Vice Chancellor, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology