Agartala, May 12: A delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) India Mission is currently on a three-day visit to Tripura to review the implementation progress of various projects under the SCATFORM initiative aimed at sustainable forest management and livelihood development in the state.
The delegation, comprising ITO Fumi, Project Formulation Advisor, and Nishtha Vengurlekar, Development Specialist, was welcomed at the Project Management Unit (PMU) by Banumathi G., CEO and Project Director of the JICA Project in Tripura.
According to officials, the visit is focused on assessing ongoing field interventions, strengthening collaboration with local stakeholders and discussing future strategies for effective implementation of SCATFORM activities across different districts of the state.
During the visit, the JICA India Mission inspected several project sites, including Killa RMU in Gomati district, where the delegation was warmly received by members of the Omlak Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC). Community members welcomed the officials with traditional hospitality, reflecting active grassroots participation in project activities.
The delegation interacted with JFMC members and reviewed initiatives related to sustainable forest management, ecological restoration and livelihood enhancement. Beneficiaries under the project received bee-keeping boxes, and the delegation also visited a honey cluster village where families engaged in apiculture shared their experiences.
The mission team further inspected plantation activities, including ANR Bamboo plantation, TPM plantation and agroforestry projects undertaken under the JFMC. Officials also visited Model-I and Model-III RCC check dam sites in Sepahijala district to assess water conservation structures developed for improving water retention and preventing soil erosion.
At Tarapadabari JFMC under Charilam RMU, the delegation visited a mushroom cultivation cluster and interacted with beneficiaries involved in livelihood activities supported by the project.
A souvenir shop established under the JICA Project at Sepahijala Zoo was also inaugurated during the visit in the presence of PCCF and HoFF R.K. Samal and JICA officials. The initiative is expected to promote eco-tourism, local craftsmanship and better market linkages for community-based products.
The delegation also met Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma to discuss ongoing activities and future cooperation for sustainable development of forests and forest-dependent communities in Tripura.
