Guwahati, 20th July: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Friday that the state will undertake an extensive tree-planting campaign from August 1 to 15, aiming to plant three crore saplings to enhance forest cover.
Addressing the press, Sarma outlined a broader goal to plant 10 crore saplings over the next three to four years, which is expected to boost the state’s forest cover by two percent. He noted that last year, the state surpassed its target of one crore saplings by planting 1.12 crore, with a 90 percent survival rate.
The initiative, dubbed the ‘Amrit Briksha Andolan’, involves collaboration with various agencies and central forces, including the army, air force, SSB, CRPF, BSF, as well as schools, colleges, self-help groups, and NGOs.
Sarma highlighted that the government also focuses on afforestation in areas reclaimed from forest evictions, with around 10,000 hectares of land cleared so far. Additionally, the government is actively working on plantation drives in areas reclaimed from the Brahmaputra River due to erosion.
“We aim to create a positive environmental impact in five to six years with our extensive plantation efforts,” Sarma added.
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