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Historical Background
The name “Tripura is probably after
the name of the Goddess Tripureswari of West Bengal or of
the ruling Maharaja of Tripura. It may also be a
modification of “Tipra” (“Tuipara”) the native inhabitants
of the state. “Tipra” again means the dwellers of the
territory bordered by the sea as
the word “Tui” means water.
This hilly country clothed with impenetrable forests was
conquered, as said, by Maharaja Kumar Drujhyu, one of the
sons of Maharaja Jajati. Since then the country was being
ruled by the Maharaja of the said descent. It is only on 9th
September, 1949 that the territory was integrated in the
Indian union.
Composition and condition of forests and its management
The earliest available record describing the forests of
Tripura is available in the “Statistical Account of the Hill
“Tipperah” by W.W. Hunter which was published in 1876. He
states
“The hills are covered for the most part with bamboo jungles
while the low ground abounds with trees of various kinds, of
canes and swamps. All along the northern, western and
southern boundaries of the state lie a narrow strip of low
land, differing in no material respect, as regards soil,
cultivation and population from those parts of the District
of Sylhet, Tipperah and Chittagong. From the Summit of
ranges the view of the country is striking but monotonous,
the low bamboo covered hills look at a distance like mere
undulations clad with verdure. Here & there in the spring, a
yellow spot marks the place were the bamboos have been
cleared away for the purpose of Jhum cultivation, or the
smoke of a hamlet may be seen rising above the jungle and
low trees. But one view is exactly the same as another and
scarcely repays the trouble of climbing a thousand feet of
steep hill side.”
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