Week-long workshop of IFS officials in Tripura

Agartala, Nov 22 (UNI) A week-long workshop of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officials began at Hatipara in Tripura's West District yesterday.

At least 28 IFS officials from various parts of the country are attending the seminar, which was inaugurated by state Forest Minister Jitendra Choudhury at Hatipara Forest Training Institute.

In his speech, the Forest Minister said the state is covered with 60 percent forest of which 34.2 percent are reserve forest area.

''There are 11 Forest development agencies in the state,'' said Mr Choudhury.

He further urged the common people to participate in safeguarding the environment and forest adding that without the participation of common people, it would be difficult to combat challenges of deforestation.

The IFS officers would visit the Sipahijala and Teliamura Forest Reserves.

UNI PB-PD JYN SS1328