Agartala, May 01, 2025: “Forests are crucial for human survival, yet due to our own negligence, forest cover is steadily decreasing. To change this reality, we must all come together as one,” said Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma on Wednesday while inaugurating a program titled “Strengthening the Grassroots Forest Protection System in the State” at the Tripura State Forest Academy grounds in Hatipara under West Tripura district.

Forest Department organized the programme where 58 motorcycles were distributed among Forest rangers from all districts of the state. The vehicles are expected to strengthen patrolling and monitoring efforts, particularly in forest areas vulnerable to smuggling activities.

Minister Debbarma highlighted the urgent need for empowering frontline forest workers with better tools and infrastructure. “If we want to protect our forests from illegal smugglers of forest resources, we must first strengthen the hands of those guarding them at the grassroots. These motorcycles will help our forest rangers safeguard the state’s natural heritage,” he said.

He further informed that more tree plantation drives are planned this year and assured that the government would take further steps to enhance forest protection infrastructure.

The program began with a welcome speech by PCCF (A.P.R. & Protection) Chaitanya Murthy. Principal Secretary of the Forest Department and Head of Forest Force R.K. Shyamal attended the event as Guest of Honour, along with PCCF (Planning & Development) Praveen Agarwal and CCF (Territorial) Dr. K. Sasikumar. Other officers and staff of the Forest Department were also present.

The initiative marks a significant move toward reinforcing the grassroots protection framework in the face of growing threats to the state’s green cover.