Shillong, Nov 14: The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Shillong, has taken a significant step towards transforming its campus into a hub of environmental sustainability and textile innovation with the plantation of 100 cherry blossom trees at its Umsawli campus. 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 plantation drive was hosted under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Binaya Bhusan Jena, Campus Director, NIFT Shillong, a strong advocate of sustainable fashion known for his farm-to-fashion approach. The occasion was graced by Dr. Nripemo Odyuo, Scientist-E and Head of Office, Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong, and Prof. Dr. Rasananda Panda, Professor and Registrar, MICA, Ahmedabad, with the participation of 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 plantation, 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 ˘, 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 participation of representatives from the Botanical Survey of India and MICA, Ahmedabad, reflects the interdisciplinary potential of the initiative, bringing scientific expertise, design thinking, communication and innovation into a shared conversation on sustainability.
Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Jena, whose farm-to-fibre philosophy emphasises the relationship between agricultural resources, textile production and responsible design, NIFT Shillong envisions a campus where sustainability extends beyond academic discourse into practical, research-led applications.
The long-term ambition is to create a distinctive ecosystem for natural fibre cultivation, indigenous dye conservation, material innovation and student-led experimentation, while promoting the cultural and ecological wealth of Northeast India.
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.
