The Tripura government has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish six eco parks across the state, with the aim of boosting tourism and creating livelihood opportunities for local communities. Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma announced this initiative on Wednesday, revealing that the parks will be developed in six districts, including Dhalai and South Tripura, at an estimated cost of ₹10 crore per park.
These eco parks, to be situated on forest land and operated by the Joint Forest Management Group (JFMG), are expected to provide employment and income opportunities through various tourism-related activities. Minister Debbarma emphasized that the project will be funded through assets created under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aligning with Chief Minister Manik Saha’s broader vision of developing world-class tourism infrastructure in the northeastern region.
In addition to the eco parks, Minister Debbarma also mentioned plans to establish roadside market centers and forest producers’ outlets to support agricultural communities, particularly those reliant on forest-based livelihoods. With a combined outlay of ₹120 crore from JICA and the Indo-German Development Project (IGDC), Tripura aims to construct roadside markets and forest produce hubs.
Specifically, 11 forest producers’ outlets will be set up in 11 blocks of Dhalai district, each with an allocation of ₹50 lakh. Minister Debbarma highlighted the long-term benefits of these facilities, stating that they will empower local people, especially tribal communities, to sell their agricultural produce at fair prices and improve their overall livelihoods.
The introduction of these eco parks, roadside markets, and forest producers’ outlets signifies a significant step towards sustainable development in Tripura, offering promising opportunities for economic growth and community empowerment in the region.
