Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha launched an innovative initiative titled “QR Codes for Flora” on Earth Day. This project, rolled out in the capital city of Agartala, aims to digitize the identity of trees and enhance public awareness about the state’s rich biodiversity.
As part of the initiative, trees in public parks, educational campuses, and government gardens are being tagged with QR codes. When scanned using a smartphone, these codes provide detailed information about the species, including its botanical name, local name, ecological significance, medicinal uses, and estimated age.
The campaign marks a first-of-its-kind effort in Northeast India, where digital tools are being used to bridge the gap between people and nature. The launch event, held at the Rabindra Kanan park in Agartala, drew participation from school students, environmentalists, and citizens who enthusiastically interacted with the new technology.
A Digital Leap for Environmental Awareness
Speaking at the event, CM Dr. Manik Saha highlighted the importance of promoting environmental literacy among the youth. “This Earth Day, we are not only planting trees — we are giving them an identity. Through QR codes, we’re encouraging people to know and understand the green life around them,” he said.
The QR code plaques are made of weather-resistant material and fixed at eye-level on the tree trunks or nearby stands. Each scan leads to a dedicated webpage with verified data curated by botanists and local forest officers.
This initiative is a collaboration between the Tripura Forest Department and the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs. It’s also part of a broader effort to integrate digital education with eco-tourism, enabling both residents and tourists to learn more about Tripura’s flora in an engaging, interactive way.
Promoting Conservation Through Knowledge
Officials say the idea was born out of the need to raise awareness about the ecological importance of trees, particularly native and endangered species. Tripura, which boasts over 60% forest cover, is home to a wide variety of tree species, including sal, teak, neem, mahogany, and the rare hollong.
By scanning a tree’s QR code, users can discover not only its name and physical characteristics but also its carbon absorption capacity, role in the local ecosystem, and cultural or medicinal significance in indigenous communities.
Dr. Arun Bhowmik, a botanist from Tripura University involved in the project, noted, “Many people walk past trees without knowing what they are. But when they learn a tree’s story — its age, its uses, its role in traditional medicine — they form a deeper bond. That connection is what inspires conservation.”
Education and Engagement
The state government plans to expand the initiative to schools and colleges, encouraging students to take part in tree mapping and digital cataloguing. Environment clubs will be trained to generate QR codes using open-source tools and upload verified data.
In the next phase, students will also participate in creating audio guides in both English and Bengali to make the project more accessible, especially for visually impaired users and tourists.
Several educators have praised the move, calling it a creative way to combine learning with environmental stewardship. “It’s like turning every park into a living biology textbook,” said Tanmoy Debbarma, a school principal who attended the launch.
Boosting Eco-Tourism
With Tripura making a push to develop eco-tourism, this initiative adds a modern edge to nature-based attractions. Forest trails, botanical gardens, and heritage sites will soon be equipped with tree QR codes, allowing visitors to embark on self-guided tours with their phones.
Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said the state is exploring ways to integrate these QR-coded trees into mobile apps and travel guides. “It’s about creating immersive experiences. The more people know about our forests, the more they’ll want to protect them,” he stated.
A Sustainable Future
As climate change and deforestation continue to threaten biodiversity globally, Tripura’s tech-driven green initiative sets an example for others to follow. By blending digital innovation with grassroots conservation, the state has offered a fresh way to celebrate Earth Day — not just by planting trees, but by telling their stories.
In a world where screens dominate attention, Tripura is bringing people back to nature — one QR scan at a time.