Minister Animesh Debbarma inaugurates 20 New Beat Office buildings under JICA-Supported SCATFORM Project

Agartala, Oct 09, 2024, By Our Correspondent

Tripura's Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma virtually inaugurated 20 new Beat Office buildings under the JICA-supported Tripura SCATFORM Project. The inauguration ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Project Management Unit, Gandhigram, West Tripura.
The new Beat Office buildings, constructed at a cost of ₹12.20 crore under a 50-50 cost-sharing agreement between the State Government and the SCATFORM Project, are aimed at enhancing fieldwork capabilities for Beat Officers of the Forest Department. The modern buildings include office space and halls designed to support effective forest management and coordination at the grassroots level.
During his address, Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma emphasized the state government's commitment to creating a greener, pollution-free Tripura. He highlighted the importance of the newly inaugurated offices in boosting the capacity of forest staff to engage with local communities, raise environmental awareness, and carry out afforestation initiatives to promote sustainable development. 
The Minister also expressed concern over the growing threat of pollution and called on citizens to act responsibly in protecting the environment. He acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Forest Department in curbing illegal activities through strict enforcement measures and further announced plans for additional infrastructure, including staff quarters for forest officers and their families.
R.K. Samal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF and HoFF), praised the project for its contribution to improving forest management in the state. Pravin Agrawal, Chief Executive Officer and Project Director of the SCATFORM Project, delivered the welcome address, while Dr. Avinash M. Kanfade of the Tripura Forest Development and Plantation Corporation (TFDPC) and Dr. Y L Singh of NPCC Ltd. also shared their insights.
The event was attended by senior officers, including District Forest Officers, Beat Officers, and other stakeholders, marking a milestone in Tripura's continued efforts toward forest conservation and community engagement.