AGARTALA, May 6 (TIWN): A high powered three member delegation of officials from Japan of JICA (Japan International Corporation Agency) arriving here on May 7 to review the progress of work, said an official. During their stay in Tripura, they are schedule to visit some villages where the project is implemented, besides meeting senior officials including Dr. V K Bahguna, principal secretary of forest department.

The forest based project for livelihood up gradation being implemented here by JICA has been extended up to the year 2017.  The project has been extended for three years by Japan government which is scheduled   to wind up in the year 2014.

 Chief Executive Officer of JICA, Tripura Project G. S Raju told TIWN that the project focused on resolving livelihood problems of indigenous people allotted land under the Right to  Forest Act. He said efforts are made to implement plans for development of fisheries, agriculture etc to provide easy access to livelihood- yielding works for the indgenious people. Besides  new project of  building check dams   has being  implemented to resolve the problem of drinking water in hill top habitations,  emphasize on development of eco –tourism for revenue generaion. 

The project period is for 8 years started launched from financial year 2007. The area covered under the project are seven districts- West Tripura, Sepahijla, Khowai, South Tripura, Unakoti and partly of North Tripura.  90 % of the targeted villages are from TTAADC and the approx budget is Rs 365 crores.

The aims and objectives of the project include restoration of degraded forests and to provide sustainable livelihoods to the forest dependent communities through Joint Forest Management Committees. The Project aims at the double prong strategy of restoration of forests and alleviation of poverty. The Tripura JICA Project is a registered society under the name of "Tripura Forest Environment Improvement and Poverty Alleviation Society".