AGARTALA, Nov 6 - The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has announced an investment of Rs 759 crore for a sustainable forest development project in Tripura, official sources said here.
The aim of the project is to improve forest quality in the targeted catchment area by imbibing sustainable forest management practices, thereby contributing to the development of the forest ecosystem services and livelihood improvement of forest-dependent communities in the State.
An agreement was signed in Tokyo on October 29, according to an official statement by the JICA. The Forest Department is the executive agency of the project.
Although the forest cover in Tripura has increased, it still has the third largest decline rate with regard to forest areas in India with a decrease of 166 square kilometres between 2011 and 2015. Forest loss and degradation are due to shifting cultivation, which increases soil erosion risks on hill slopes, especially in the upper catchment areas.
�The project will be implemented mainly in the upper catchments where forest degradation and soil erosion are severe and livelihood improvement needs are high,� said a senior Forest Department official today.
The activities include promotion of bamboo plantation, forest-based livelihood, eco-tourism development, and value addition to bamboo and other non-timber forest products in order to create alternative livelihood opportunities for local communities. As bamboo is a key resource, strong emphasis will be laid on enhancing the production base and value addition to bamboo production.
It is learnt that Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Anil Rastogi held a meeting with senior officials to implement the multi-crore-rupee project in the State.
The JICA has been consistently working to help develop the forestry sector in the State. In 2007, the JICA extended an Official Development Assistance (ODA) of Rs 495 crore for forest development and poverty alleviation, which focused on more plantation and improvement of livelihood activities.