The Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA), in collaboration with the Phoenix Foundation Sanstha, convened the Save the Earth Conclave 2025 on the occasion of Earth Day at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi. Under the theme “Bamboo for a Resilient Future,” the conclave served as a powerful national platform to promote sustainability, cross-sectoral innovation, and policy alignment—placing bamboo at the centre of India’s green development narrative.
The event brought together senior policymakers, industry leaders, academicians, and development experts to deliberate on bamboo’s vital role in ecological conservation, climate resilience, and rural economy enhancement.
Delivering the inaugural address, Guest of Honour, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, underscored the multifaceted benefits of bamboo cultivation, stating, “Bamboo cultivation provides an extraordinary opportunity to boost the rural economy, increase carbon capture and serve to diversify small and marginal farmers’ livelihoods. Its multifarious economic usages can contribute a lot to India’s rural economy, which can be viable solution to untoward emigration.”
The conclave also celebrated the pioneering policy leadership of Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, for the state’s landmark allocation of ₹4,300 crores towards bamboo development.
On the occasion of World Earth Day, ICFA Chairman Shri Suresh Prabhu emphasized the urgency of environmental action, referring findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which highlight the alarming pace of climate change. He raised deep concerns over the continued inaction by global stakeholders despite the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing toward irreversible ecological damage.
Shri Prabhu said, “Bamboo movement is not merely about planting—it’s about policy, partnerships, and a shift in mindset. With the right support, this initiative could serve as a model for green growth, aligning with India’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.”
Shri Pasha Patel, Chairman of Maharashtra State Agricultural Price Commission, acknowledged the visionary efforts of Shri Suresh Prabhu, who, during his tenure as Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), was the first to introduce and advocate for bamboo as a strategic resource for sustainable development. He remarked, “Bamboo, with its rapid growth and carbon sequestration capabilities, presents a powerful solution in the transition toward a greener economy.”
Bamboo is not only a fast-growing renewable resource but also more effective at sequestering carbon dioxide than many traditional tree species, making it a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. Beyond its environmental benefits, bamboo cultivation opens new avenues for rural development by increasing farmer revenue, generating green employment, and supporting circular economy models.
Also addressing the conclave, Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, lent support to integrating bamboo within India’s agri-ecological framework.
The conclave witnessed the launch of two flagship initiatives – the India Agriculture Sustainability Council and the Save the Earth Forum – both aimed at driving grassroots action and institutional reform through cooperatives, FPOs, and civil society engagement.
Key thematic sessions at the conclave focused on: Building Sustainability through Bamboo, Institutional Partnerships for a Sustainable Future, Policies Driving Innovation and Investments for a Green Economy. Deliberations emphasized models to scale bamboo-based innovation, unlock inclusive finance, and integrate sustainability through public-private partnerships.
The event concluded with the unveiling of the Delhi Declaration on Global Climate Action and Sustainability.
