Tripura is the second smallest state in India. It was formally declared as Union Territory on November1st, 1957 and was elevated to the status of a full-fledged state on January 21,1972. Tripura is one of the seven states in the north eastern part of India located between 22 degree and 56 minutes and 24 degree and 32 minutes north latitude and between 90 degree and 09 minutes and 92 degree and 20 minutes east latitude. It is bounded on the north, west, south and south-east by Bangladesh whereas in the east it has a common boundary with Assam and Mizoram. There is a common belief that the name of the State has originated from "Tripura Sundari" - the presiding deity of the land which is famous as one of the 51 pethos of Hindu Pilgrims. Apart from this traditional view it is believed that originally the land was known as "Tuipra" meaning a land adjoining the water.

The state is covered by picturesque hills and dales, deep and green valleys which have added beauty to its landscape. The state is connected with the rest of India by only one road which runs through the hills to the border of Cachar district in Assam. The state has three districts with ten sub-divisions. The three districts are Tripura west with Agartala as its headquarter (which is also the state capital), Tripura north and Tripura south with Kailasahar and Udaipur respectively as district headquarters.

Hill Ranges

From the east the principal hill ranges are the Jampoi, Sakham Tlang, Langtarai, Athara Mura and Bara Mura. The highest peak of the state is Be-talang-Shiv (3,200 ft) in the Jampoi hill range. A number of broad and elongated valleys - Agartala - Udaipur - Sabrum, Khowai - Teliamura - Amarpur - Silachari etc are located between the north-south trending, parallel to sub-parallel high ranges (topographic highs) such as the Baramura - Deotamura ranges, Atharamura ranges, Langtari ranges, Sakham ranges and the Jampui hill ranges.

Soils

The soil in the valley is fertile with rich alluvial deposits and therefore suitable for the cultivation of paddy, jute, oilseeds, pulses, fruits and vegetables. About 54.5% of the land is under forest. Only about 24.3% area is available for agricultural use.

Rivers

The Khowati, the Manu, the Haorah, the Muhuri and the Gomati are some important rivers of Tripura. Gomati is the largest river. Like the Ganges in North India, the Gomati is considered to be the most sacred of all the rivers in Tripura. The source of the river is taken to be Tirthamukh where lies the beautiful Dumbar falls - one of the most important holy places. The rivers Khowai, Doloi, Manu, Juri and Langai are flowing towards the north and those flowing towards west are the Gomati, Muhuri and Feni.

Agriculture

The chief occupation of the population in the state is agriculture. The main activity of more than three-fourths of the workers is agriculture. About 24.3% area is available for agriculture use. The principal crops are paddy, wheat, jute, sugar cane, potato, turmeric, coconut and oil seeds. Agriculture is being practiced in about 2.5 lakh hectares.

Stress on agricultural development during the last decades was given for the increase in production of food grains. By providing essential inputs in the form of improved seeds, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals and by increasing substantially the area of cultivation under HYV programme, it has been possible for the state to raise production of food grains.

Significant steps have been taken to bring larger and larger areas under the plant protection scheme. It is irrigation, the one input which can do a lot for diversification, multiple cropping and increasing yield of crops. But the progress on this front has not been satisfactory. Another important input is seed. Initially the state government faced considerable difficulties in bringing seed from outside the state due to high cost. But now, large-sized seed multiplication firms have been set up. Besides, a seed bank is operating. Large scale demonstration programmes are taken up covering all the branches with a view to transmitting scientific and progressive technology in the field of agriculture.

Promotion of soil and economic equality is a pre-condition for attaining substantial long-term increase in production. Measures to reduce inequalities should succeed in eliminating deterrents to work and aggregate labour utilization. But, the success mainly depends on the political climate.

The major thrust in land reforms is centred round the protection of interest of the tribals on land and restoration of alienated land to them. In September 1989 Tripura legislative Assembly passed a Bill relating to land revenue and land reforms, the important-provision of which are as follows.

1. No land belonging to tribals can be sold to a non-tribal. Even a decree by a court of law will not entitle a non-tribal to take possession of tribal land.
2. Land sold or transferred from a tribal to a non-tribal on or after 1st Jan 1969 will not be considered valid.
3. No court of law will be able to pass a decree transferring the title of a tribal land to a non-tribal.