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Key Points

Tripura's Forest Department is setting up six eco-parks to promote tourism and conservation. The Rs 10 crore project will also create livelihood opportunities for locals. The parks will be managed by the Joint Forest Management Group. Additionally, roadside markets will help forest producers sell their goods easily.

Key Points: Tripura to develop six eco-parks for tourism and forest conservation

  • Six eco-parks planned across Tripura to enhance tourism
  • Rs 10 crore allocated for eco-park development
  • Joint Forest Management Group to oversee operations
  • Roadside markets to aid forest producers’ income
2 min read

Tripura to set up six eco-parks to boost tourism, protect forests: Minister

Tripura announces six eco-parks across districts to boost tourism, protect forests, and support local livelihoods with Rs 10 crore investment.

"The proposed six eco-parks would be developed in six of the state’s eight districts, except Dhalai and South Tripura. – Animesh Debbarma"

Agartala, Aug 6

In a bid to boost tourism and protect forests, the Tripura Forest Department has decided to set up six eco-parks in the state, state Forest and Environment Minister Animesh Debbarma said on Wednesday.

The Minister said the proposed eco-parks would not only promote tourism and conservation but also help generate livelihood opportunities for local communities.

“The proposed six eco-parks would be developed in six of the state’s eight districts, except Dhalai and South Tripura districts. Around Rs 10 crore would be spent for this purpose,” Debbarma told IANS. He said that the Joint Forest Management Group (JFMG) would govern these proposed eco-parks.

According to the Minister, the Forest Department's main target is to create assets and aim to make the best use of its resources while making any plan that involves the forests.

Minister Debbarma also said that the forest department would establish roadside small market zones and forest producers' outlets to facilitate people to sell forest and agricultural products on roadsides.

The Forest and Environment Minister earlier said that the state government has been implementing three externally aided projects to protect the forests and also provide livelihood to forest dwellers. 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 project focuses on forest management, community development, and enhancing livelihoods in the state. The project also aims to create jobs for the youth and women, in particular, by promoting forest-based entrepreneurship in the state.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Rs 10 crore seems quite low for six eco-parks across districts. Hope the quality isn't compromised. Also, why exclude Dhalai and South Tripura? These areas have amazing biodiversity that could benefit from such projects.
A
Ananya R
As someone from Northeast, I'm thrilled to see Tripura getting this attention! The roadside markets for forest products is a brilliant idea - will help tribal artisans showcase their crafts. Just hope the implementation is done properly with local participation.
V
Vikram M
Good move but concerned about foreign funding. Why can't we develop our own forests with our resources? The World Bank and JICA projects come with too many strings attached. We should be self-reliant in environmental conservation.
K
Kavya N
The focus on women's employment through forest entrepreneurship is the best part! 🙌 Many self-help groups in Tripura can benefit from this. Hope they provide proper training and market linkages for sustainable income generation.
S
Siddharth J
While the idea is good, I hope they maintain strict environmental guidelines. Many 'eco-parks' in India end up being concrete jungles with just a few trees. The JFMG should include genuine environmentalists, not just bureaucrats.

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