The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), India Mission has concluded its official three-day visit to Tripura, reaffirming its commitment and expressing satisfaction with the progress of the Tripura SCATFORM Project.

The high-level mission, comprising ISHIKAWA Saya, Representative; Nishtha Vengurlekar, Development Specialist; and Annie Srivastava, Project Officer from the JICA India Office, was in the state from 8th to 11th July 2025.

An official press release said, during the visit, the delegation undertook extensive field inspections of project interventions across Gomati District and Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary. The team reviewed key activities including plantations, check dams, agroforestry models, and various livelihood development initiatives aimed at supporting forest-dependent communities under SCATFORM.

In a significant highlight, the JICA Mission also visited the ecotourism site being developed by Tripura Nature Trails and Resorts Limited a flagship project funded under SCATFORM which aims to boost sustainable tourism while ensuring biodiversity conservation and livelihood generation for local communities.

Furthering their community engagement, the JICA team held interactive sessions with Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), directly observing the role of community participation in forest and biodiversity management.

The Mission met with the Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma to deliberate on strategies for livelihood improvement and development of model villages under the project. JICA conveyed its full cooperation and assured continued technical and financial support towards realizing these objectives in Tripura.

The visit culminated in a debriefing session with R.K. Samal, Principal Secretary and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), Government of Tripura.

The JICA delegation expressed appreciation for the state’s efforts in advancing ecological restoration, sustainable development, and community empowerment under the SCATFORM framework.

Notably, the Tripura SCATFORM Project has so far received Rs. 275.53 Crore as loan share from JICA, while the project has achieved a financial progress of Rs. 338.20 Crore till date, a reflection of active implementation and convergence of resources through committed state-level efforts.

The Tripura SCATFORM Project is a Japan-assisted initiative aimed at promoting sustainable forest and biodiversity management while enhancing the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities across Tripura.