States » EastPosted at: Nov 14 2026 9:32PM


NIFT Shillong plants 100 cherry blossom trees, announces natural dye & fibre garden

Shillong, Nov 14 (UNI) The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Shillong, has taken
a major step towards turning its Umsawli campus into a hub for environmental sustainability and textile innovation by planting 100 cherry blossom trees.

The initiative forms part of a larger vision to position NIFT Shillong as one of India's leading sustainable fashion campuses, bringing together regional biodiversity, indigenous knowledge,
design education and industry collaboration.

The tree-planting drive was hosted under the leadership of Prof. Dr Binaya Bhusan Jena, Campus Director of NIFT Shillong, who is a strong advocate of sustainable fashion and is well known for
his farm-to-fashion approach.

The occasion was graced by Dr Nripemo Odyuo, Scientist-E and Head of Office at the Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong, and Prof. Dr Rasananda Panda, Professor and Registrar at MICA, Ahmedabad, alongside the faculty and staff of NIFT Shillong

The plantation holds particular significance in Meghalaya, where the autumn flowering of the Himalayan cherry (Prunus cerasoides) has become synonymous with Shillong's celebrated Cherry Blossom Festival.

By introducing these trees into its campus landscape, NIFT Shillong seeks to create a distinctive green environment that celebrates the region's natural identity while contributing to biodiversity, ecological awareness and the campus's visibility within Meghalaya's cultural and tourism landscape.

Beyond the tree-planting drive, NIFT Shillong is embarking on an ambitious initiative to establish
a Natural Dye and Natural Fibre Garden, envisioned as a living laboratory for sustainable textile research, experimentation and innovation.

Drawing upon Northeast India's rich botanical resources and traditional textile knowledge, the proposed garden will explore the cultivation and application of natural dye-yielding plants and
fibres—such as ramie, kenaf, flax (linen) and Bombax ceiba (silk cotton)—subject to their
suitability for local growing conditions.

A major area of research will focus on the potential of blending these plant-based fibres with eri
silk, a textile closely associated with the indigenous weaving heritage of Northeast India.

Combinations such as eri–ramie offer promising possibilities for developing textiles that bring together the softness and thermal properties of eri with the strength and durability of ramie.

Research will also explore natural dye extraction, traditional colouration techniques, fibre processing and the development of renewable, low-impact and potentially 100% biodegradable textile products, depending on their complete material composition and processing.

Central to this vision is the creation of a stronger industry–academia interface, connecting botanical scientists, textile researchers, designers, local artisans, weavers and entrepreneurs. By integrating indigenous skills with contemporary research and development (R&D), the campus aims to encourage responsible resource utilisation, material experimentation, sustainable product development and new livelihood opportunities rooted in regional knowledge.

The initiative also signals the institution's commitment to developing a model of fashion education that is environmentally conscious, locally relevant and globally forward-looking. By exploring the possibilities of biodegradable materials, circular design and traditional craft knowledge, NIFT Shillong seeks to demonstrate that innovation and heritage can work together to shape a more responsible fashion industry.

As 100 cherry blossom trees take root on the campus, NIFT Shillong is cultivating more than a green landscape. It is sowing the seeds of a future where fashion begins with nature, grows through indigenous wisdom and flourishes through innovation.
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Tags: #NIFT Shillong plants 100 cherry blossom trees# announces natural dye & fibre garden
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