Tripura implementing 3 externally aided projects for forest protection: Minister Animesh Debbarma

“The projects aimed to generate employment for youths and women through promotion of forest-based entrepreneurship,” Debbarma said, inaugurating the 76th state-level Vanmahotsava at the Behalabari School playground in Khowai district.

Those who stay in hilly areas take only some resources from the forest, he said, adding that it was a section of traders who destroy forests and their resources for illegal trade.

Referring to the latest Forest Survey of India (FSI), Debbarma said that forest areas in the state have reduced. He also urged people to plant at least one tree in the name of their parents, sister or any close relative, as part of the nationwide plantation campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ 2.0, to increase the forest areas in the state.

Debbarma further said that he has requested Chief Minister Manik Saha to deploy a minimum of 400 Tripura State Rifles personnel to ensure the protection of forest resources.

On July 5 last year, Saha had conducted a mass plantation drive across the state under the mission of ‘5 lakh saplings in 5 minutes’ to hike the forest cover. Earlier, the forest department had distributed lakhs of saplings among people, including students, clubs, state and central security forces, etc.