Agartala, July 1 (NationPress) The Forest and Environment Minister of Tripura, Animesh Debbarma, announced on Tuesday that the state government is actively engaged in three externally funded initiatives aimed at forest protection and enhancing the livelihoods of local forest communities.

During the inauguration of the 76th state-level Vanamahotsav at Behalabari School Playground in Khowai District, Debbarma highlighted that one of the projects is financed by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the form of a soft loan.

Another project has received a grant from the Federal Republic of Germany via KFW, while the third initiative is a significant World Bank-backed project amounting to Rs 1,764.94 crore.

This World Bank initiative, known as the Enhancing Landscape and Ecosystem Management (ELEMENT) Project, focuses on forest management, promoting community development, and improving livelihoods within Tripura.

Moreover, the project aims to generate employment opportunities for both youth and women by fostering forest-based entrepreneurship.

Debbarma, a prominent tribal leader, pointed out that residents in hilly regions do not harm the forests; instead, they sustainably utilize some forest resources. However, a minority of traders, sometimes in collusion with a few forest officials, exploit these resources for illegal profit.

The Minister has called on Chief Minister Manik Saha to deploy at least 400 personnel from the Tripura State Rifles (TSR), a specialized paramilitary force, to safeguard the forests and their abundant resources.

He expressed disappointment over recent findings from the Forest Survey of India (FSI), revealing a decline in forested areas within the state.

In line with the nationwide plantation campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' 2.0, he urged every citizen of Tripura to plant a tree in honor of a loved one to enhance the state's forest cover. This initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to create rich biodiversity through the establishment of eco-parks and biodiversity parks, which will also promote tourism.

This year, an ambitious target to plant 6.5 lakh saplings statewide has been set.

Debbarma mentioned that the Chief Minister spearheaded a mass plantation drive last July, aiming for 5 lakh saplings in 5 minutes to boost forest coverage in the northeastern state.

This mass initiative aligns with national objectives for environmental conservation, community involvement, and climate action, reinforcing Tripura's dedication to ecological sustainability and cultural heritage.

Before this large-scale plantation event, the Forest Department had already distributed millions of saplings to schools, clubs, organizations, banks, and both central and state security forces.

“Our tree-planting efforts won’t end with a single event; the mass plantation drive will continue throughout the upcoming monsoon season and beyond,” the Forest Minister affirmed.