Tripura Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma launched the Forestry Integrated Geospatial Solution (FIGS), a digital forestry platform under the SCATFORM project. The initiative integrates satellite monitoring, GIS mapping, drones, and real-time data collection to strengthen forest conservation, climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable livelihood development across Tripura.
Tripura Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma on Saturday launched the Forestry Integrated Geospatial Solution (FIGS), an advanced digital platform aimed at transforming forest management and livelihood planning across the state.
The platform was unveiled during a programme held at Pragna Bhawan under the Tripura ICA Project, popularly known as SCATFORM. Addressing officials, stakeholders, and field personnel, Debbarma emphasized the growing role of technology in safeguarding natural resources and ensuring sustainable development.
Speaking at the launch, the minister stated that the future of conservation lies in combining ecological protection with technological innovation. He remarked that conservation should no longer be viewed as a choice between nature and technology, but rather as a partnership where technology supports nature and nature guides technological progress.
The newly launched FIGS platform integrates modern tools such as satellite monitoring, drone-based surveillance, mobile geo-tagging, and Geographic Information System (GIS)-based analysis. According to officials, these technologies will help authorities detect forest fires at an early stage, map plantation activities, monitor ecological changes, and identify environmentally vulnerable areas with greater accuracy.
Highlighting the importance of forests in Tripura, Debbarma noted that nearly 70 percent of the state’s land area is covered by forests, making conservation a critical priority. He added that thousands of people depend directly or indirectly on forest resources for their livelihoods. Through FIGS, planners will be able to design targeted interventions based on local geographical conditions, supporting activities such as fisheries, bamboo-based enterprises, livestock development, and eco-tourism.
The launch event also featured the distribution of 300 mobile devices to field-level forest staff to facilitate real-time data collection and reporting. In addition, awards were presented to top-performing districts and officers for their contributions to conservation and development initiatives. Four publications documenting the achievements of the SCATFORM project in biodiversity conservation, watershed development, and community-based livelihood generation were also released.
Reflecting on his personal connection with forests, Debbarma described them as an integral part of Tripura’s cultural heritage and ecological identity. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to initiatives that simultaneously promote conservation, livelihood enhancement, and technological advancement.
Officials involved in the project said FIGS has been developed on an open-source architecture and represents a major departure from traditional reporting systems. By combining geospatial intelligence with field-generated data, the platform is expected to improve transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making.
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The launch of FIGS places Tripura among the states embracing advanced digital forestry solutions, aligning with national initiatives such as ISRO’s Bhuvan platform and the Forest Survey of India’s fire monitoring system. The development is expected to strengthen climate resilience efforts while positioning Tripura as a leader in technology-driven forest management and sustainable environmental governance.
