Kathmandu, Sept. 18 -- Bamboo, the perennial and plentiful plant, is the next big thing in sustainable construction.

For centuries, bamboo had been used for traditional ceremonies and as the primary material for building homes in local communities, especially in Eastern Nepal.

So, why has bamboo not been taken more seriously as a mainstream construction material? Public perception and awareness have a part to play.

It starts with the perception that bamboo is the 'poor man's timber'. This means not many people are aware that bamboo is one of the most robust materials for construction if the right species is used together with the appropriate techniques.

According to a 2019 report by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, treated bamb...