Reported by Roopak Goswami
Guwahati: Kamesh Salam, a leading figure in India‘s bamboo industry and founder of Guwahati-based Cane & Bamboo Value Chain Management (CanBoo), has been featured in Business Today’s special publication, Business Leaders Shaping a Viksit Bharat, in recognition of his contributions to sustainable development and environmentally responsible industrial growth.
The acknowledgement places Salam among an influential group of business leaders whose work is contributing to innovation, economic progress and sustainability in line with India’s aspiration of becoming a developed nation.
With a career spanning over three decades, Salam has been instrumental in repositioning bamboo from a conventional forest resource to a key component of the green economy. Through his efforts, bamboo has emerged as a viable sector supporting employment generation, rural entrepreneurship and climate-conscious development.
As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of CanBoo, Salam has promoted bamboo-based solutions across diverse sectors, including engineered construction, eco-friendly housing, furniture production, handicrafts, biochar technology and carbon management initiatives. His work has helped establish a comprehensive bamboo value chain connecting cultivators, artisans, entrepreneurs, industries and policymakers across the Northeast.
Salam’s contributions have also earned international recognition. He is the founder of World Bamboo Day and remains the only Asian to have served as President of the World Bamboo Organization, underscoring his global influence in advancing bamboo as a sustainable resource.
Over the years, he has worked closely with governments, multilateral agencies and international institutions on policy formulation and sustainable industrial development. His collaborations have included organisations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and PwC.
One of CanBoo’s landmark projects is the creation of the bamboo “Village Vaults” at the new terminal of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. The installation has been widely praised for demonstrating the engineering capabilities of bamboo while showcasing the craftsmanship and cultural heritage of indigenous communities from Northeast India.
Responding to the recognition, Salam dedicated the honour to the farmers, artisans, researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs who have collectively strengthened the bamboo sector.
“Bamboo represents far more than a natural resource. It offers opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience, green infrastructure and a self-reliant future for India,” he said.
Industry observers view the recognition as a significant moment for Assam‘s expanding green economy, where bamboo is increasingly being recognised as a strategic resource for sustainable development, rural employment and climate-resilient infrastructure.