Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Agartala: Tripura Governor N Indrasena Reddy launched the Northeast region's first digital Forest Rights Act (FRA) Atlas on May 28. The initiative, unveiled during the Janjatiya Garima Utsav 2026, aims to integrate scientific planning and modern technology to safeguard tribal rights and communal dignity across the state.
The digital platform was developed in partnership with the Tripura Space Application Centre. It serves as a tool for the state to better monitor and implement both individual and community forest rights. Alongside the digital portal, the Tribal Welfare Department released a printed FRA Atlas booklet to assist with local administration.
Governor Reddy praised the project, noting that Tripura is setting a standard for recognizing individual forest rights while staying true to the ideals of tribal leader Birsa Munda. Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma added that his department remains focused on expanding education, skill development, and general welfare throughout the state's remote tribal communities.
This project reflects a broader national strategy led by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to digitize forest right processes. Through initiatives like the Smart India Hackathon, student teams have collected field data to support a national FRA digital platform. This system, currently coordinated by the National Tribal Research Institute in New Delhi, utilizes AI and web-based mapping to track community and forest resource rights.
The event also highlighted ongoing federal engagement with tribal communities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met with the Janjati Suraksha Manch in New Delhi, where he commended the group for their efforts in advancing tribal empowerment and development across the country.
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