Tripura demands 20% weightage for green cover

Agartala: Tripura has urged the 16th finance commission to assign 20% weightage to ‘forestry & ecology' in the horizontal devolution formula, seeking fair compensation for the environmental services rendered by the northeast. The request was made during a meeting convened in New Delhi to address the special fiscal requirements of seven smaller NE states. Finance minister Pranajit Singha Roy said with over 70% green cover, Tripura has limited scope for intensive economic activities, which should be offset in recognition of its role in climate conservation. "The entire NE is sacrificing land for environmental protection instead of industrialization. It deserves due compensation," he said. He also raised issue of rising drug trafficking across Tripura's international borders