World Bank Approves $225.5 Million Project to Restore Forests in Tripura and Nagaland
The World Bank has given its nod to a $225.5 million project aimed at restoring over 100,000 hectares of forest in Tripura and Nagaland. The initiative, named Enhancing Landscape and Ecosystem Management (ELEMENT), is set to benefit over 700,000 people across 400 villages in the two northeastern states.
The project will focus on conserving and restoring forests, enhancing landscape-based value chains, and strengthening soil conservation and water availability. By doing so, it aims to mitigate climate change by avoiding nearly 435,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.
“This project will not only contribute to environmental conservation but also create significant economic opportunities,” said Auguste Tano Kouamé, the World Bank’s Country Director for India. “By leveraging forests for private sector-driven job creation, we aim to enhance the economic growth and social well-being of the region.”
The ELEMENT project will promote sustainable forest management practices, including the cultivation of high-value forest products like agarwood, bamboo, and honey. It will also support the development of nature-based tourism, creating jobs for local communities, especially youth and women.
By adopting a holistic landscape approach, the project will extend beyond traditional forest areas to include grasslands, wetlands, and farmlands. This integrated approach will help improve the climate resilience of rural and forest-dependent communities and boost their livelihoods.
The World Bank’s investment in Tripura and Nagaland follows a similar $43 million project in Meghalaya, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development in the northeastern region of India.