The NTFP Centre of Excellence of Tripura

Minutes of the First meeting of the Board of Management of the NTFP Centre of excellence of Tripura held under the chairmanship of the Chief Executive Officer & Project Director, Tripura JBIC Project at conference hall of the Aranya Bhavan, Pt. Nehru Complex, Agartala.

The Government of Tripura under the Tripura JBIC Project has established the NTFP Centre of Excellence for promotion of the NTFP resources of the state. The NTFP Centre of Excellence has come into being pursuant to the said provision of the Project.

The first meeting of the Board of Management of the Centre was held today at Aranya Bhavan under the Chairmanship of Dr. V K Bahuguna, Chief Executive Officer & Project Director of the Tripura JBIC Project. The list of the members of the Board present in the meeting is annexed.

Sh. D K Sharma, Director of the Centre welcomed the members of the Board of Management in its first meeting and has briefed the members about the background, the genesis and the role the Centre in changing the scenario of the NTFP resources and the role it would play in everyday life of the people of the state. The strength of the state in regard to the NTFP resources was identified and how the Centre could lead in promotion of the resources for the utilization was discussed in detail.

The ways and means to promote production and marketing of the Bamboo, Cane, Orchid, Honey, Folk Medicine and Eco tourism in which the state has strong presence were flagged and it was decided to enhance livelihood opportunities through following actions,

• The Craft Council of Tripura would submit a project report within a month’s time on promotion of bamboo cane crafts after value addition.

• Dr. Das, Scientist of ICAR would finalize and submit a roadmap on development of Orchids and community participation in development and marketing of the same.

• The Tripura University shall prepare a project report on the apiculture and its promotion.

• The Directorate of Handloom, Handicraft & Sericulture would submit a status report on market demand and supply of craft items and a directory of the craftsman for documentation by the NTFP Centre of Excellence.

• The Directorate of industries & Commerce would submit a status report on the various facilities of training available and conducted by them in the bamboo & craft sector along with name and address of the persons trained.

• A compact office of The Directorate would be set up at the earliest.

4. The meeting was concluded with a decision to hold the second meeting of the Board on the 15th January, 2008 to review the progress on the above points and with a vote of thanks to the chair.