[Reader-list] Successful Initiatives of Environmental Conservation from Tripura

[Sagnik Chakravartty]

(This information has been taken from SIPARD,Tripura's
website-
www.sipard.nic.in)Courtesy:SIPARD,Agartala,Tripura
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Successful Initiatives           
  
 
  One Man's Mission


(Environmental Conservation)


“It was a hard task to motivate the rural poor to the
relation between plant life and human life. But
everywhere I succeeded” proudly declares Sri Apurba
Kumar Dutta of Gandhigram, Agartala. He is working in
the Tripura Forest Department as a forester. He used
to utilise his leisure time to motivate creating
forest plantations in the fallow lands of Tripura.

He started his activities as early as 1982 by raising
a few beds of orange nurseries at the premises of his
own house in Gandhigram. These seedlings were sold at
cheaper price to Govt. Departments and others. The
money collected from this was again used up in raising
nurseries of Teak, Mehagony, and Sandal etc. Sri
Apurba Kumar Dutta of Gandhigram Agartala founded
Tripura Samajik Ban Unnayan Sanghsta.

At the same time showing his own example he was
involved in motivating the rural people holding
uncultivated and fallow lands create forest
plantations. The need to control environmental
pollution and maintain ecological balance was
stressed. They were successful in drawing the
attention to the relevance of environmental
preservation fro sustainable development. The stumps
and seedlings of the forest species were sold to them
at a very cheap rate and to the poor, Saplings were
distributed free of cost. Wherever stumps were
distributed he held awareness campaigns. This endeavor
to raise nurseries and encouragement to the tilla
landowners to create forest plantations is still going
on with great success. He is being consulted by public
not only for stumps and seedlings but also for
technical guidance with the modern technique of forest
plantations. Sri. Apurba Dutta has received the
prestigious “Indira Priyadarshni vrikshamitra award
1996” for his valuable services towards envioronmental
preservation/sustainability

One Sri Prabal Das, 53 says that he is proud of
himself seeing the well grown plantations and happy at
the prospect of the forth coming financial returns
from the plantations. The revenue returns from these
plantations are also substantial. For example, in case
of Gamair plantation, the total cost of plantation, in
one Kani (0.16 hectare) in 10 - 12 years is about
Rs.34000/- - Rs.38000/- and after 10 - 12 years from
this same land the income will be 2 - 2 ½ lakhs. 

The forest plantations created under the initiative of
Sri. Apurba Dutta supervision in different regions of
Tripura during the period from 1994 to 1998 are as
follows: -

Under Mohanpur R.D. Block - 19 villages such as
Gandhigram, Patonagar, Nutannagar, Bhubanban,
Lankamura, Barjala, Nasingarh, Usha Bazar, Bhagalpur,
North Ramnagar, Tebaria, Chhanmuru, Laxmilunga,
Bamutia, Rangutia, Kalkalia, Satdubia and Hatipara -
have been richly afforested with Gamar Teak, Mehagony,
Sandal, Agar, etc. 

Under Panisagar R.D. Block - 3 villages namely
Agnibasa, Panitilla and Bilthai have been afforested
with Gamar & Teak. Under Bishalgarh R.D. Block - Two
villages namely Sutanmura and Kashbakalibari area and
the village named Dukli under Dukli R.D. Block have
many forest plantations under his demonstration and
assistance. Under Satchand R.D block East Harina,West
harina and Guachand have got 0.5 hectare of Guava
plantations and 12 hectares hectare of coffee
plantations under the financial help of Tripura Coffee
Board have been raised. 

 


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