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Key Points

Tripura is rolling out three major international projects to protect its forests while creating jobs for tribal communities. The state received funding from Japan's JICA, Germany's KFW, and a massive ₹1,764 crore World Bank initiative focused on ecosystem management. Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma announced plans to deploy 400 paramilitary personnel to combat illegal logging while promoting mass tree plantation drives. The initiatives align with PM Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign aiming to plant 6.5 lakh saplings across Tripura.

Key Points: Tripura Launches 3 Global Funded Forest Protection Projects

  • Japan's JICA & Germany's KFW fund Tripura forest projects
  • World Bank's ₹1,764 cr ELEMENT project boosts tribal livelihoods
  • State deploys 400 TSR personnel to curb illegal logging
  • 6.5 lakh saplings to be planted under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'
3 min read

Tripura implements three externally aided projects for forest protection

Tripura implements JICA, KFW & World Bank projects worth ₹1,764 crore for forest conservation and tribal livelihoods

"Our effort to plant trees would not be limited to a single event - Animesh Debbarma"

Agartala, July 1

Tripura Forest and Environment Minister Animesh Debbarma said on Tuesday that the state government has been implementing three externally aided projects to protect the forests and to provide livelihood for the forest dwellers as well.

Inaugurating the 76th state-level Vanamahotsav at Behalabari School Play Ground in Khowai District, of the three externally aided projects, one was funded by the Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as a soft loan.

The other was a grant from the Federal Republic of Germany through KFW, and the third one is a World Bank-funded Rs 1,764.94 crore project.

The World Bank is funding a Rs 1,764.94 crore project called the Enhancing Landscape and Ecosystem Management (ELEMENT) Project in Tripura. This World Bank-funded project focuses on forest management, community development, and enhancing livelihoods in the state.

The project also aims to create jobs for youth and women by promoting forest-based entrepreneurship.

Debbarma, a senior tribal leader, said that those who live in hilly areas do not destroy the forest; they only take some resources from the forest, but a section of traders, with the help of a small section of forest personne,l destroy the forest and its resources to meet their illegal business purposes.

The Forest Minister said that he requested Chief Minister Manik Saha to deploy at least 400 personnel of Tripura State Rifles (TSR), an elite paramilitary-like force in Tripura, to protect the forest and its vast resources.

Referring to the latest Forest Survey of India (FSI), he said that it is a matter of regret that forest areas have declined in the state.

“As part of the nationwide plantation campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' 2.0, I urge every citizen of Tripura to plant at least one tree to increase the forest cover in the state. You can plant a tree of your choice in the name of your mother, father, sister or any close relative,” said Debbarma, who also holds the Science and Technology portfolio.

The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' plantation programme was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that to create the finest biodiversity in the country, many eco-parks, biodiversity parks are being set up to protect the forest and boost tourism as well. This year, an ambitious programme was launched to plant 6.5 lakh saplings across the state.

He said that the Tripura Chief Minister on July 5 last year led the state-level mass plantation drive with the mission of ‘5 lakh saplings in 5 minutes’ to increase the forest cover in the northeastern state.

The mass plantation drive aligns with the broader national goals of environmental conservation, community engagement, and climate action, and reflects Tripura’s commitment to both ecological sustainability and cultural values, the minister said.

Debbarma said that before the state-level mass plantation drive, the Forest Department had distributed lakhs of saplings among students, clubs, organisations, banks, and central and state security forces.

“Our effort to plant trees would not be limited to a single event. The mass plantation drive would continue in the upcoming monsoon period and beyond,” the Forest Minister stated.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the projects sound promising, I'm concerned about the involvement of TSR personnel. Forest protection should be done through community engagement, not militarization. The tribal communities have lived in harmony with forests for generations - they should be made stakeholders in conservation efforts.
R
Rohit P
Excellent move! Northeast states are the lungs of our country. The forest-based entrepreneurship part is particularly good - will help reduce migration to cities. Hope other states follow Tripura's example. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
S
Sarah B
The scale of funding (Rs 1,764 crore!) is impressive, but I hope there's transparency in how it's spent. We've seen too many good projects fail due to corruption. Maybe they could create a public dashboard showing progress and expenditure?
K
Kavya N
As someone from Tripura, I'm proud of these initiatives! But planting saplings is just the first step - we need to ensure they survive. In my area, most saplings planted last year dried up due to lack of care. The government should involve local communities in maintenance too.
D
David E
Interesting to see Japan and Germany involved. Their expertise in sustainable forestry could be valuable. But I hope the projects respect indigenous knowledge systems too. The tribal communities in Tripura have centuries of wisdom about forest management.
M
Meera T

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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