Agartala, May 2026: In a major step towards technology-driven forest governance, the Forest Department of Tripura, under the Tripura JICA Project (SCATFORM), launched the Forestry Integrated Geospatial Solution (FIGS), an advanced GIS and MIS-enabled digital platform designed to strengthen scientific forest management, natural resource planning and livelihood development across the state.
The platform was inaugurated at Pragna Bhawan by Forests, Science and Technology Minister Animesh Debbarma in the presence of Principal Secretary (Forests) and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force R.K. Samal, IFS, senior forest officials, project representatives and stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, Debbarma emphasized that technology and nature must work together to ensure sustainable development. He noted that modern tools such as satellite monitoring, GIS-based analysis, drones, mobile applications and digital dashboards are transforming forest management by enabling real-time monitoring, accurate planning and improved conservation outcomes. He stressed that Tripura should emerge as a leader in adopting innovative technologies for environmental protection and community development.
The Minister highlighted that forests are deeply connected to the culture, heritage and livelihoods of Tripura’s people. He said nearly 70 percent of the state is under forest cover, making data-driven planning essential for improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. Through FIGS, officials will be able to identify suitable livelihood opportunities such as fisheries, livestock, agroforestry, bamboo enterprises and eco-tourism based on local geography and resource availability.
Developed on a secure open-source architecture, FIGS integrates GIS mapping, remote sensing, mobile geo-tagging, field data collection, dashboards, approval systems and analytical tools. The platform is expected to enhance transparency, accountability and evidence-based decision-making while enabling real-time monitoring of forestry and livelihood interventions.
As part of the programme, 300 mobile devices were distributed to project officials and field staff to facilitate geo-tagging, field data collection and monitoring of plantations, nurseries, water conservation structures and livelihood assets. Awards were also presented to top-performing districts, subdivisions, ranges and field personnel for their contributions to data collection and updation under the FIGS platform.
Four publications highlighting the achievements of the SCATFORM project were released during the event. The programme also included the felicitation of Santanu Chakraborty, President of Neo Geo Info Tech Ltd., for his contribution to the development and implementation of the FIGS platform.
The launch of FIGS marks a significant milestone in Tripura’s efforts to modernise forest governance, strengthen climate resilience and improve livelihood security through technology-enabled solutions.
