Agartala: Tripura, once renowned for its lush green forests filled with wildlife, now faces a significant decline in forest cover. Historical records reveal the state’s rich natural resources, including its elephants that drew in invasion by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1618 due to the then Tripura king’s failure to supply elephants.
In the 1960s, forests covered 60% of the state, complemented by flowing rivers in the plains. However, the recent report by the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment paints a grim picture, with 242 square kilometers of forest disappearing in recent years. Experts deem reforestation efforts futile due to rampant deforestation occurring under the forest department's watch.
Sources reveal the forest cover's decline stems from large-scale deforestation facilitated by smugglers and the collusion of corrupt officials and political leaders. Organized gangs exploit these connections to earn profits from illegal logging and smuggling. Despite official rhetoric on forest conservation, ground-level action remains negligible, hindered by corruption and political interference.
Historically, even senior officers contributed to deforestation by transporting truckloads of precious timber from Tripura to other states upon leaving their posts. Insiders express frustration that such practices set a bad precedent, undermining efforts to protect forests. The effects of decades of negligence, corruption, and exploitation are becoming clear.
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