Tripura ramps up elephant conflict defenses and tree planting efforts

Agartala: Tripura Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma launched five anti-depredation camps in the Khowai district to stop elephants from raiding villages. These watch towers sit in Mungiakami, North Krishnapur, Chakmaghat, Ghilatali, and East Laxmipur. Crews dug 9 kilometres of trenches to block the herds. A new 24-hour helpline now helps locals report elephant movement. The government hopes this infrastructure will finally curb local conflicts.

Debbarma spoke July 18 at the 77th state-level Van Mahotsav in Teliamura. He argued that planting trees means nothing if they die immediately. "Plant trees, save trees, save yourself," he told the crowd at Chitrangada Kala Kendra. The state planted 20 lakh saplings last year under a drive linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign.

Officials including MLA Kalyani Saha Roy and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests R.K. Samal attended the event. The state is currently pushing conservation projects backed by the Indo-German Project and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. They also handed out checks to local self-help groups and honored winners of a photography competition. "The state government has intensified efforts to reduce human-elephant conflict in vulnerable areas by strengthening field-level infrastructure and response mechanisms," Debbarma said.

Forest staff gave free saplings to attendees. Sixteen exhibition stalls displayed different ways to make money while protecting the woods. The event drew various dignitaries, including MLA Pinaki Das Chowdhury, District Magistrate Rajat Pant, and Additional Superintendent of Police Justin Joseph.