Agartala, July 28:
Stressing that environmental protection must become a way of life rather than an annual observance, Tripura Governor N. Indrasena Reddy on Tuesday called for adopting sustainable practices to safeguard nature, mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure a greener future for coming generations.
Addressing a programme organised by the Forest Department at Heritage Park here on the occasion of World Nature Conservation Day, the Governor said environmental degradation, erratic rainfall, floods, pollution and the growing impacts of climate change are no longer distant concerns but realities affecting even northeastern states including Tripura and Assam.
He cautioned against disturbing natural ecosystems, saying indiscriminate destruction of forests and hill slopes even for jhum cultivation could trigger disasters such as floods and soil erosion. Trees, he said, play a critical role in preventing erosion through their root systems and therefore deserve greater protection.
Calling for a shift from conservation to transformation, the Governor said the state should mainstream climate-smart agriculture into its climate action strategy to help farmers cope with changing weather patterns.
He said unpredictable rainfall—excessive in some years and deficient in others—demands scientific planning, enabling farmers to select suitable crops based on anticipated climatic conditions.
Reddy said every village should be equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to adapt to climate change.
He also advocated expanding the bio-village model across all districts, citing the success of Daspara village as evidence that sustainable development can be both economically rewarding and socially empowering, particularly in tribal areas.
The Governor also highlighted the need to build a new generation of environmental stewards by training youth as nature guides, hospitality professionals and forest-based entrepreneurs.
Expressing concern over increasing water scarcity despite high rainfall in many parts of the country including in this region, he underscored the importance of rainwater harvesting, efficient water management and the principles of “reduce, reuse and recycle.”
He urged people to minimise the use of single-use plastics and adopt recycling as a daily habit.
Reddy stressed the need to conserve indigenous and rare tree species, suggesting that government offices and public institutions should actively nurture such plants.
He also called for planting more local varieties of trees instead of relying solely on ornamental species or those brought from outside.
Referring to the growing incidence of wild animals entering human settlements, the Governor said shrinking habitats and inadequate food availability in forests were among the primary reasons.
He suggested promoting fruit-bearing trees inside forests through seed-ball campaigns to ensure year-round food availability for birds and wildlife.
Observing that people often focus on leaving wealth and property for future generations while neglecting the environment they will inherit, the Governor urged citizens to treat nature conservation as a collective responsibility.
Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for planting a tree in the name of one’s mother, the Governor appealed to every citizen to plant at least one tree, conserve water, curb the use of single-use plastic and actively contribute towards protecting the environment for future generations.
