Agartala, 11th April 2026 : Tripura held its inaugural meeting with stakeholders focused on carbon sequestration and climate finance, gathering representatives from 25 government departments, academic institutions, NABARD, and civil society organizations on Tuesday. The goal was to identify potential opportunities and develop strategies.
The Department of Good Governance, in partnership with ARPAN Society, the Directorate of Biotechnology, the IGDC Tripura project, and JICA, coordinated the event, featuring discussions led by experts from the Climate Action Network of South Asia (CANSA).
Kiran Gitte, the Secretary to the Chief Minister, opened the conversation by highlighting Tripura’s advantages in securing the adaptation fund and the positive impacts of carbon sequestration. He mentioned that preparations are in progress for the upcoming Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
He noted that NITI Aayog has promised to support Tripura in this endeavor, recognizing the state’s capabilities. Gitte emphasized the state government’s dedication to advancing a green economy as a means to counter climate change effects.
P S Banerjee, OSD to the Chief Minister, addressed the climate vulnerabilities affecting Tripura. He referenced reports detailing changes in seasonal cycles, inconsistent rainfall, and increasing temperatures, underlining the urgency of launching effective initiatives in response.
Dr. Biswendu Bhattacharjee, a prominent climate activist and leading journalist in Tripura, served as the keynote speaker and remarked that India is positioned to finalize its carbon credit trading system by October, with Tripura poised to be the first beneficiary if all proceeds as planned.
He stressed the importance of collaboration among all departments and experts over the next three months to outline a clear roadmap, urging the government to seek financial resources from green hub projects to combat climate change.
Experts Dr. Jayanta Basu and Dr. Sanjoy Baishst examined Tripura’s climate vulnerabilities along with adaptation strategies. They provided insights on how to access climate funds aimed at community development, improving livelihoods, creating green jobs, and managing land, in addition to the processes involved in carbon trading.
India is a key player in the global carbon credit market, with a goal to have its Integrated Carbon Market recognized internationally by 2030. Dr. Basu emphasized that Tripura plays an important role in this initiative by issuing Carbon Credit Certificates, thanks to its absence of polluting industries.
Aejay Bandhyapadhya, who leads the Asia-Pacific Climate Change team at the International Finance Corporation, along with Tanusri Bhattacharjee, the General Manager of NABARD Tripura, shared insights on funding options for green initiatives in Tripura and how to obtain climate financing.
S Prabhu, the CEO of IGDC, and the Joint Director of Biotechnology Anjan Sengupta discussed the promising sector for carbon credit evaluation and encouraged the initiation of a baseline study before entering the market.
