AGARTALA, July 27 (TIWN): To ensure the sustainable development in Tripura, Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) members should pay attention for paddy, fruit and bamboo cultivation, said Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar in an one-day long seminar on 'Self-Help Groups Convention' organized by the Forest Department at Town Hall here today.

He further asserted that the numbers of paddy cultivators are lesser than piggery and fish cultivators among the Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Tripura. “It will take sometimes but the paddy cultivators will be getting their fruits if the paddy plants start growing”, said Sarkar. The Chief Minister also urged to enlarge the number of JFMC and SHGs in Tripura for immense afforestation.

In addition, Sarkar warned JFMC members saying don’t handover your given land to anybody without having blood relation according to the Forest right Act. During the seminar, 18 representatives from different Self Help Groups have shared their overall experiences over the JFMC network. For the improvement of the JFMC, the representatives also expressed their different demands before the Chief Minister.

After hearing their demands, Sarkar asked the officials of forest department to frame an action plan and submit report by next 15 days in this regard. During the seminar, Tripura Forest Minister- Naresh Jamatia, Principal Secretary of Forest Department - Dr. VK Vahugana, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests - S. Talukdar, Chief Wildlife Warden of Tripura - Dr. AK Gupta including a vast number representatives of different SHGs were remained present.