Daspara Sets Benchmark as India’s First Self-Sustaining Bio-Village

Tripura’s Daspara has emerged as a model of rural sustainability and renewable energy adoption under the Bio Village 2.0 initiative.

In a landmark achievement for rural sustainability, Daspara, a small village in Tripura’s Sepahijala district, has become India’s first self-sustaining bio-village under the Bio Village 2.0 initiative. Home to just 64 families, the village has transformed into a model of eco-friendly living, renewable energy use, and sustainable agriculture.

The initiative, launched in 2018 by Tripura’s Biotechnology Directorate, initially focused on organic farming but soon expanded into a holistic climate-smart program. Today, Daspara thrives on green technologies such as solar-powered pumps, biogas systems, and energy-efficient appliances, which have reduced reliance on fossil fuels and chemical fertilizers. Approximately 75% of the villagers, who are engaged in agriculture and fisheries, now benefit from healthier soil, higher crop yields, and clean energy solutions.

Beyond agriculture, the project has significantly boosted household incomes. Families in Daspara earn an additional ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 per month through sustainable farming, mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, and bio-composting. These new livelihood opportunities have strengthened food security and reduced economic vulnerabilities.

The impact of Daspara’s transformation has drawn international attention. The Climate Group, a London-based NGO, recognized the village’s eco-friendly practices as one of the top ten global models for sustainable development. Encouraged by this success, the Tripura government has already established 10 more bio-villages and plans to scale the initiative to 100 across the state.

What sets the program apart is its community-driven approach. Villagers select the interventions most useful to them—be it solar water pumps, biogas plants, or improved livestock breeds—ensuring that solutions are locally relevant and widely accepted.

Daspara’s success story highlights how small rural communities can lead the fight against climate change, foster economic resilience, and inspire sustainable development nationwide.