JICA India Mission visits Tripura to review ongoing projects

Agartala, May 12: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) India Mission visited several parts of Tripura and reviewed the implementation status of various projects under JICA Project (SCATFORM) in the state.

Banumathi G., CEO & Project Director, welcomed the delegates at the PMU on Monday, including ITO Fumi, Project Formulation Advisor, and Nishtha Vengurlekar, Development Specialist.

The JICA India Mission is on a 3-day visit to Tripura to review ongoing project activities and implementation progress across the state.

According to officials, the mission aims to assess field interventions, strengthen collaboration, and discuss the way forward for effective project implementation under SCATFORM.

As part of their visit, the JICA officials inspected Killa RMU, Gomati district and the delegation was accorded welcome by the members of Omlak JFMC.

Community members enthusiastically received the delegates with traditional hospitality, showcasing the strong bond and active participation of local communities in the project activities.

The mission team interacted with JFMC members and reviewed various ongoing initiatives related to sustainable forest management, livelihood enhancement, and community development being implemented at the grassroots level.

Beneficiaries at Omlak JFMC received beekeeping boxes during the visit of the JICA India Mission under the Tripura JICA Project (SCATFORM).

The delegation also visited the honey cluster village and interacted with families engaged in apiculture activities, highlighting the growing impact of sustainable livelihood initiatives at the community level.

The officials then moved to plantation sites under this JFMC. The delegation reviewed ANR Bamboo plantation (20 ha), TPM plantation (10 ha), and Agroforestry activities (2 ha), reflecting ongoing efforts towards sustainable forest management and community-based ecological restoration.

Next, they visited the Model-I Check Dam under the Omlak JFMC and Model-III RCC Check Dam site under Induria Beat, Melaghar RMU, Sepahijala DMU.

The visit focused on assessing the RCC-based water conservation structure developed for improving water retention, controlling soil erosion, and supporting ecological restoration efforts in the area.

Continuing the tour programme, the officials also visited the Mushroom Cluster at Tarapadabari JFMC under Charilam RMU, Sepahijala DMU. The delegation interacted with beneficiaries involved in mushroom cultivation and reviewed livelihood activities being implemented through community participation.

A souvenir shop established under the JICA Project at Sepahijala Zoo was inaugurated in the presence of the R.K Samal, PCCF & HoFF, Tripura and JICA India Mission Mission delegates during their visit to Sepahijala DMU.

The initiative aims to create better market linkage opportunities for community-based products while promoting eco-tourism, local craftsmanship, and livelihood generation under the project, according to officials.

An official press release said, the delegation held a fruitful meeting with Minister for Forests, Animesh Debbarma wherein various ongoing project activities and interventions under SCATFORM were discussed. The Minister sought cooperation from JICA for the sustainable development of forests and forest-dependent communities in the State and emphasized on extensive awareness campaigns.

On Wednesday, the JICA India Mission will visit the Bamboo Treatment Plant under Subalsingh Bamboo Cluster in West Tripura District.

The programme will also include distribution of bamboo jewellery making kits among beneficiaries in collaboration with Tripura Bamboo Mission (TBM). Following the field visit, the delegation will hold a debriefing meeting with the PCCF & HoFF, Tripura, before concluding the visit and returning to New Delhi.