Neermahal, Kashba Kali Bari, and Sepahijala Zoo declared Tobacco-Free Zones in Tripura

In a significant step towards promoting public health and environmental preservation, the Sepahijala District Administration in Tripura has officially declared three of the state’s major tourist attractions—Neermahal, Kashba Kali Bari, and Sepahijala Zoo—as Restricted Zones for Tobacco Use.

Sepahijala District Magistrate Siddharth Shiv Jaiswal in a notification stated that the decision aligns with the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and falls under the larger framework of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP).

“With immediate effect, tobacco use in any form—smoking or smokeless—is strictly prohibited in and around the Neermahal Tourist Complex, Kashba Kali Bari Complex, and Sepahijala Zoo. Additionally, the sale of tobacco products is banned in these areas,” said Jaiswal.

The move, he explained, aims to uphold the sanctity and cleanliness of these culturally and ecologically vital landmarks, safeguard public health—particularly that of children and visiting tourists—and reinforce compliance with tobacco control laws.

“All Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Block Development Officers, law enforcement agencies, and relevant departments have been instructed to implement and monitor the strict enforcement of this order,” he added.

The administration has also ordered the installation of visible signage marking the areas as tobacco-restricted zones. In addition, regular enforcement drives and awareness campaigns will be carried out in partnership with the District NTCP Cell.

Violations of this directive will invite penalties under the provisions of COTPA, 2003. The order is effective from the date of issuance.