Tripura Highways Expand, 11,460+ Trees Felled, Govt. Assures Reforestation

Key Points :-

1. 11,460 trees felled in Tripura over 32 months for national highway widening projects.
2. Tree felling followed guidelines from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Union Ministry of Environment.
3. Tripura plans to plant ten trees for every tree cut as part of a new reforestation policy.
4. 76 lakh saplings are ready for distribution, with a mass plantation drive initiated to increase forest cover.
5. Tripura aims to establish the region’s largest flower park to further enhance green initiatives.

Agartala, September 05: Tripura’s Forest and Environment Minister Animesh Debbarma revealed that over 11,460 old trees have been officially felled in the past 32 months as part of the national highways widening project across the state. This information came in response to a question raised by Congress MLA and former Minister Sudip Roy Barman during a legislative session.

Debbarma stated that between January 2022 and August 2024, these trees were felled after securing permission from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and adhering to other required procedures. He further explained that the guidelines set by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change under the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 were strictly followed, ensuring proper forest land diversion for non-forest purposes in linear projects like highway construction.

Expressing concern over the environmental impact, Agriculture and Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath shared that the state is planning a new policy mandating the planting of ten trees for every tree felled in the state’s developmental projects.

In an effort to restore the forest cover, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha launched a state-level mass plantation drive on July 5, with the mission of planting ‘5 lakh saplings in 5 minutes’. Minister Debbarma added that over 7 lakh saplings had already been distributed among various groups, including students, organizations, and security forces.

Debbarma assured that the reforestation efforts would continue throughout the monsoon season and beyond, with 76 lakh saplings ready for distribution. An additional 50 lakh saplings will be planted in phases to further expand the state’s forest cover, which currently stands at over 62%. This initiative is crucial in addressing climate change challenges in the region.

To boost the state’s green landscape, the Forest Department is also planning to establish the largest flower park in the region.