AGARTALA, Nov 25 (TIWN): Like every year, three day long 5th Baramura Orange festival is continuing at Baishyamoni Para in Ampi where beautiful oranges are cultivated.

Along with the Orange Festival, 147th Kalai Rai Balma Panda festival has been organized. The festival has been inaugurated by the Tribal Welfare Minister Aghore Debbarma.

Minister of Rural Development, Naresh Jamatia, MLA Daniel Jamatia of Ampi and others were present.

Focusing on the expansion of orange plantation, Aghore said that the farmers as well as the state can be economically developed through orange and other fruit plantation. Added to it the Minister focused on the utilization of barren lands for fruit plantation.

However, according to the sources this year the cultivation of oranges was very low compare to any other year.

Sources claimed that the production was low due to the negligence of the concern department.

However, locals set their stalls of oranges.

However, due to spread of orange plantation diseases like milky dew, dieback, and attack by pests, about two-third of the orange plantations has been wiped out. At present, Orange festival has been discontinued due to decline in orange productions and for other reasons. During this festival season, September to December, the hill is covered with floating clouds and it provides a rare experience for the tourists.

Earlier the Orange plantation was only for the consumption of the local people. Later when the people realized the value of marketing the fruits throughout the country, they started orange plantations on more lands, on the valleys of the hills.