Tripura Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma on Thursday emphasised the urgent need for extensive plantation drives and stronger coordination between key departments to promote sustainable agriculture and protect the environment. He was speaking at the inauguration of a three-day international conference on sustainable hill farming at Pragna Bhawan in Agartala.
Debbarma highlighted the state government’s ongoing plantation initiative, noting that five lakh saplings were planted in the first year, while the target for the second year has been increased to 6.5 lakh. He appealed to all stakeholders to actively support afforestation efforts, stressing that environmental conservation is essential for the well-being of future generations. “Humans can survive several days without food, but not even ten minutes without oxygen, irrespective of status or influence,” he remarked, underscoring the indispensability of tree cover.
The minister urged citizens to avoid indiscriminate tree felling and said that coordinated action between the Agriculture and Forest Departments could significantly strengthen plantation programmes and reinforce ecological resilience across the state.
The International Conference on “The Pursuit for Sustainable Hill Farming: Innovations for Profitability and Ecological Balance to Ensure a Future Livelihood (PASEL-2025)” has been organised by the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre, in collaboration with the Indian Association of Hill Farming (IAHF). The event began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and the ICAR song.
In his address, Debbarma called for reinforcing nature-based farming practices, expanding ground-level scientific research, and promoting innovations that directly benefit farmers. He commended ICAR Tripura Centre for hosting such a major international agricultural event for the first time and acknowledged ICAR’s vital contribution to agricultural progress in the Northeast.
He also encouraged researchers to prioritise field-oriented, practical work over publication-driven research and to develop high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties suited to Tripura’s agro-ecological conditions. During his visit to the exhibition, he reviewed innovations including advanced mushroom cultivation, and stressed that new technologies must protect natural quality and utilise local resources sustainably.
Dignitaries present included ICAR RC Director Dr Samarendra Hazarika, Techno India University Tripura Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) R K Saha, Tripura University Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) Shyamal Das, and former ICAR DDG Dr K M Bujarbaruah. MLA Jitendra Majumdar also addressed the gathering. The event saw the release of a souvenir, a Book of Abstracts, and several ICAR publications, alongside the presentation of IAHF Awards.
