BY TC News Desk
Agartala, January 28: The Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI), Tripura State Centre, organized a seminar in collaboration with Tripura Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. and the support of Tripura Tea Development Corporation Ltd. as a knowledge partner. The event, themed “Sustainable Tea Garden Ecotourism and Technology Interface,” was held on Saturday, at the Seminar Hall of IEI, Tripura State Centre, Gurkhabasti, Agartala, in connection with National Tourism Day 2024.
National Tourism Day, established by the Indian government, aims to raise awareness about the cultural and economic importance of tourism. The seminar focused on the emerging model of tea garden ecotourism, blending modern tourism practices with sustainability principles. This model not only fosters the sustainable development of the tourism industry but also highlights local tea culture, driving economic development and promoting interaction with nature and wildlife.
India, accounting for approximately 31% of global tea production, faces challenges related to energy and the environment in the tea industry. Energy-intensive processing stages constitute around 30% of total tea processing costs. The seminar underscored the need for a technological interface to address energy efficiency in tea processing units, promoting sustainability.
Despite being unable to attend the program due to unforeseen travel commitments, Sushanta Chowdhury, Minister of Tourism, conveyed the significance of tea in Indian culture and its vital role in the rural economy.
Guest of Honour, Samir Ranjan Ghosh, Chairman of Tripura Tea Development Corporation Ltd., highlighted the state government’s recent decision to establish a tea auction centre in Tripura, providing local tea planters with a platform to sell their products at reasonable prices.
Dr. Tanoy Bandyopadhyay, In-Charge & Senior Scientist, Tripura Advisory Centre, Tea Research Association, and Dr. Sumita Deb, Asst. Professor in Electrical Engineering, NIT Agartala, served as special speakers, discussing tea cultivation promotion, sustainability in tea tourism, and energy efficiency in the tea processing industry, respectively.
The program, presided over by Dr. Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, Chairman of IEI Tripura State Centre, included the release of the Quarterly News Letter of the Tripura State Centre, with a vote of thanks offered by Dr. Mrinal Kanti Deb Barma, Honorary Secretary of the Center.
