The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) India Mission has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Tripura’s environmental restoration and community development efforts, following a successful mid-term review of the Tripura JICA Project for Sustainable Catchment Forest Management (SCATFORM).

A official press statement said that the review, carried out from 21st to 24th October 2024, has reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to supporting the state’s ongoing efforts in sustainable forestry, ecological restoration, and rural livelihood enhancement.

The visiting JICA delegation comprised key officials, including Mr. Kei Otsuki, Second Secretary, Economic Wing, Embassy of Japan in India, Mr. Fujiwara Hidenobu, Japanese representative, JICA India and Ms. Nishtha Vengurlekar, Development Specialist, JICA India. Their visit was aimed at assessing the progress of SCATFORM and identifying areas of future cooperation, especially in developing new sectors that can bring sustained benefits to the environment and the local population.

Over the course of their visit, the delegation inspected several field activities and initiatives that have been the backbone of SCATFORM’s efforts in Tripura. One of the highlights of the visit was their tour of the "One Stall One Product" Agar Stall at Dharmanagar Railway Station, which is part of an initiative to promote Agarwood-based products, a key non-timber forest product (NTFP) in the state. The stall showcased the innovative products that local communities are now producing with support from the project. The delegates also visited the Agar Plantation and Processing Centre at Kadamtala in North Tripura District, where they observed firsthand how sustainable Agarwood cultivation and processing have been established as a vital economic activity. This initiative has been instrumental in providing alternative livelihoods to local communities, reducing their dependency on traditional forest resources.

Following their engagements in North Tripura, the JICA Mission travelled to Unakoti District, where they inspected the AR Plantation (Artificial Regeneration) and TPM (Teak Plantation Management) under the Joyamanipara Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC). This area has been a model of community-driven forest management, where local people have been deeply involved in the regeneration and management of forest resources. The delegates were impressed with the level of local participation and the impact of these interventions on the ecological restoration of catchment areas. During their visit to Unakoti District, the delegation also had the opportunity to visit the historic Unakoti Heritage site, known for its ancient rock carvings and sculptures.

A key moment in the visit was the inauguration of the Bagaicherra Beat Office, which the JICA Mission dedicated to the ongoing efforts of the project. This newly constructed office, under the Tripura JICA Project, will serve as a critical facility to oversee and coordinate forest management activities in the region, further strengthening the project’s operational capacity.

On Thursday, the delegation visited the Sitacherra Eco-Tourism site, which is being developed under the JICA Project as a tourist destination. The site is part of SCATFORM’s broader efforts to promote eco-tourism as a sustainable livelihood option for local communities while also enhancing Tripura’s natural beauty and biodiversity conservation.

Reflecting on the progress of the project, Mr. Kei Otsuki expressed his satisfaction, stating, “The visit to Tripura has been incredibly insightful. I am highly impressed with the way the SCATFORM project is addressing not only environmental restoration but also economic empowerment for local communities. It is heartening to see the people benefiting from sustainable practices like Agarwood cultivation. I would very much like to return in the future to witness further progress.” His statement was a clear endorsement of the project’s direction, reinforcing JICA's long-term support for Tripura’s development goals.

The JICA delegation, throughout their visit, acknowledged the significant strides made under the project since its inception in 2017-18 financial years. They highlighted the project's success in promoting the restoration of degraded forest areas, improving the water retention capacity of catchment areas, and fostering biodiversity conservation. They also praised the project’s inclusive approach, which has actively involved women and tribal communities in forest management and livelihood initiatives, creating a strong foundation for long-term sustainability.

A particular focus of the mid-term review was on the potential of the non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) sector, which has shown promising growth under SCATFORM. Mr. Fujiwara Hidenobu emphasized that the NTFP sector, especially Agarwood, holds immense promise for the future. "The economic potential of Agarwood and other non-timber products is vast. With further development and market linkages, we believe this sector can transform the rural economy in Tripura while promoting sustainable forest management," he remarked. He further assured JICA’s commitment to providing continued support in expanding and developing this sector under the project.

The visit culminated with a high-level meeting between the JICA delegation and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) & Head of Forest Force (HoFF), where the delegates provided their insights from the review and discussed future strategies for the project. The team expressed their gratitude for the hospitality extended by the Forest Department and acknowledged the dedication of the SCATFORM team in driving the project towards success. They emphasized the importance of maintaining the momentum in implementing the project’s objectives and reiterated JICA’s commitment to collaborating closely with the state government for the remainder of the project timeline.

Pravin Agrawal, IFS, CEO & Project Director of SCATFORM, expressed his deep appreciation for JICA’s ongoing support. “The successful mid-term review is a significant milestone for us. It underscores the importance of the work being done on the ground, and we are encouraged by JICA’s positive feedback. The commitment of JICA India to continue supporting our efforts strengthens our resolve to achieve the project’s long-term goals,” he said.

Notably, the project has achieved a financial progress of 43%, highlighting its effectiveness and efficiency in execution. The JICA India team also expressed their satisfaction with this progress, reinforcing their commitment to Tripura’s sustainable development initiatives. The Tripura JICA Project (SCATFORM) has emerged as a cornerstone of sustainable development in the state, focusing on restoring forest ecosystems while empowering local communities through income-generating activities. Its impact is already evident in the restoration of degraded catchment areas, improvement of community livelihoods, and the promotion of sustainable forestry practices.