Forests and Economies: Unlocking Tripura’s Biodiversity Potential

By: Dr Atul Kumar Gupta, IFS (Retd.)

The theme of International Day of Forests 2026—“Forests and Economies”, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization, highlights an important reality: forests are not only ecological assets, but also powerful drivers of sustainable economies. They generate livelihoods, support rural incomes, and sustain ecosystem services such as water security, soil stability, climate regulation, and biodiversity conservation.

In Tripura, forests form the backbone of rural and tribal economies. The State’s rich biodiversity—ranging from medicinal plants and bamboo to wild foods and traditional crop varieties—has long supported the livelihoods and cultural practices of its 19 tribal communities. These communities have nurtured and conserved biological resources through generations of traditional knowledge, creating a strong and enduring linkage between forests and local economies.

Forests in Tripura function as dynamic bioeconomic systems. Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFPs) play a significant role in household economies, contributing nearly 22% of total household income in forest-dependent communities. In 2021–22 alone, NTFPs worth approximately ₹68 crore were collected and traded across the State, with bamboo contributing about 28.6% and broom grass nearly 23.8% of this value. These figures underline the central role of biodiversity in sustaining rural livelihoods.

Among these, broom grass (Thysanolaena maxima) stands out as a flagship example of a successful biodiversity-based livelihood. Interventions in Tripura have enabled around 20,000 people to benefit from its organized harvesting and marketing, with seasonal incomes of ₹5,000–8,000 per household, and in some cases ₹3,000–5,000 per month through cultivation and value addition. Bamboo-based livelihoods similarly support a large number of artisans and households, contributing significantly to both subsistence and cash income, while also offering scalable opportunities through handicrafts and construction materials.

Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis), another high-value species, presents strong potential for value-added production and export, while traditional rice varieties such as Maimi, Kalijira, and Payjam reflect Tripura’s rich agro-biodiversity and nutritional heritage. However, many of these traditional resources are under threat due to monoculture expansion and changing land-use patterns, highlighting the need for revival and value-chain development.

Despite this potential, forest-based livelihoods in Tripura largely remain at a subsistence level, characterized by limited value addition, weak market linkages, and under-realization of economic value. The opportunity lies in transforming this into a structured, value-driven bioeconomy, where biodiversity-based enterprises generate higher and more stable incomes without compromising ecological integrity. This calls for sustainable harvesting practices, cultivation of high-value species, strengthening of local processing systems, and improved market access.

Central to this transition is the knowledge and participation of local communities. Indigenous practices related to medicinal plants, food systems, and ecosystem management provide a strong foundation for sustainable resource use. Integrating this knowledge with scientific approaches can enhance productivity, ensure quality and traceability, and open pathways for innovation in herbal products, nutraceuticals, and nature-based enterprises.

Community institutions—supported by Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs), and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)—can play a pivotal role in this transformation. With appropriate capacity building, financial support, and market linkages, these institutions can shift forest-based livelihoods from subsistence to enterprise-level economies, ensuring equitable benefit-sharing while reinforcing conservation outcomes.

At the same time, convergence across sectors such as forestry, agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, rural development, and industry is essential. Integrating biodiversity into development planning, infrastructure, and tourism can minimize ecological impacts while enhancing economic opportunities. Mechanisms such as Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), value-chain development, and branding of local biodiversity products can further strengthen forest-based economies, making use of schemes of Government; Local for Vocal, One District/Block One Product, GI provisions, etc..

Forests also play a critical role in climate resilience in Tripura—stabilizing slopes, regulating water flows, supporting soil health, and buffering against extreme climatic events. Promoting agroforestry, mixed cropping, bamboo regeneration, and restoration of degraded landscapes can simultaneously strengthen livelihoods and ecological security.

The way forward is clear: forests must be positioned at the centre of economic planning. By building on its rich biodiversity and the traditional knowledge of its tribal communities, Tripura has the opportunity to develop a model of inclusive and sustainable bioeconomy, where conservation and economic development go hand in hand.

On this International Day of Forests 2026, there is a collective need to recognize forests as economic lifelines, invest in biodiversity-based livelihoods, strengthen traditional knowledge systems, and promote community-led sustainable use of natural resources. Nurturing forests in this manner will ensure not only ecological security, but also long-term economic prosperity for the people of Tripura.

*Author is a former PCCF & HOFF, Tripura.