Agartala: In a significant push to elevate its tourism profile and empower local communities, the Tripura government has greenlit a large-scale project to establish six eco parks across the state. The announcement, made by Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma, underscores a concerted effort to harness the state’s natural beauty for both economic growth and social upliftment.
The ambitious plan will see one eco park take shape in each of the state’s six districts, including Dhalai and South Tripura, with a robust budget of ₹10 crore allocated for each facility. These parks will be developed on designated forest land and managed by the Joint Forest Management Group (JFMG), a strategy designed to ensure sustainability and direct community involvement. The initiative is poised to create a ripple effect of benefits, generating crucial employment and income streams for residents through a host of tourism-related activities.
Funding for this landmark project is being channelled through assets created under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aligning perfectly with Chief Minister Manik Saha’s vision to transform the northeastern state into a premier tourist destination with world-class infrastructure. This move is seen as a pivotal step in showcasing Tripura’s ecological treasures to a wider audience, both domestic and international.
Beyond the eco parks, Minister Debbarma also shed light on his department’s wider strategy to support rural and tribal communities. A parallel initiative is underway to establish roadside market centres and forest producers’ outlets, aiming to provide a structured platform for agricultural communities who depend on forest-based livelihoods. These facilities are being funded through a combined outlay of ₹120 crore from JICA and the Indo-German Development Project (IGDC).
Highlighting the specifics, Debbarma mentioned that 11 forest producers’ outlets will be set up in as many blocks within the Dhalai district alone, with each outlet receiving an allocation of ₹50 lakh. “These facilities will be a long-term asset. They will empower local people, especially tribal communities, to sell their agricultural produce at fair prices and improve their livelihoods,” the minister affirmed, emphasising the government’s commitment to inclusive development and economic empowerment from the grassroots.
Read More: Sikkim Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage to Tirumala After Three Decades