Crores Spent, But Forest Nurseries Fail to Deliver: Questions Raised Over Monitoring and Quality in Tripura Forest Department

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, June 18, 2026

Serious concerns have emerged over the functioning of forest nurseries and research centres operated by the Forest Department across Tripura, with allegations that despite the expenditure of crores of rupees over the years, many of these facilities are failing to produce quality planting materials and are suffering from a lack of effective supervision.

According to sources familiar with the department's operations, many forest nurseries and research centres are currently functioning across different districts of the state. These facilities were established with the objective of producing quality saplings of timber species, bamboo, fruit-bearing trees, exotics flowering plants, medicinal species and other forestry resources required for afforestation, biodiversity conservation and livelihood promotion programmes.

However, field-level observations and feedback from stakeholders suggest that many nurseries are struggling to maintain adequate stocks of quality saplings. Sources allege that several centres do not have sufficient numbers of improved varieties of bamboo, fruit plants, medicinal species or other commercially and ecologically valuable tree saplings that are in demand among farmers, local communities and government plantation programmes.

The situation has reportedly raised questions about the effectiveness of planning, implementation and resource utilization within the department. Critics argue that while significant public funds are being spent annually on nursery maintenance, infrastructure and plantation-related activities, the expected outcomes are not always visible on the ground.

Another major concern being highlighted is the alleged lack of monitoring by senior officials. Sources claim that inspections and field visits by top-level officers have become infrequent, resulting in weak oversight of nursery operations and research activities. The absence of regular monitoring, they argue, has contributed to declining accountability and operational inefficiencies at the field level.

Forest experts point out that nurseries are the backbone of any successful afforestation and ecological restoration programme. The quality of saplings produced directly influences plantation survival rates, forest regeneration efforts and long-term environmental sustainability. Any shortcomings in nursery management can have far-reaching consequences for the state's ambitious plantation and green-cover expansion initiatives.

Sources within the forestry sector further allege that administrative laxity and poor coordination between field units and headquarters have created conditions where performance evaluation has become weak. They contend that stronger monitoring mechanisms, periodic audits, scientific management practices and accountability measures are needed to improve the functioning of these nurseries and research centres.

The allegations have also sparked demands for an independent assessment of the state's forest nurseries, including a review of expenditure, sapling production, plantation outcomes and field-level infrastructure. Environmental activists and concerned citizens have urged the government to ensure that public funds allocated for forestry development are utilized effectively and transparently.

While the Forest Department has never officially responded to these allegations, observers believe that a comprehensive review of nursery operations and field-level activities could help identify gaps and strengthen Tripura's forest conservation and plantation programmes.

The issue assumes significance at a time when the state government has announced large-scale plantation drives and ambitious targets for increasing green cover, making the availability of quality planting materials and effective field management more critical than ever.

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