Guwahati: Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday attended the Amrit plantation program launched at Chandubi in Kamrup district and advocated for a collective action to create a pro-planet impact for generating sustainable economic opportunities.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarma said that a collective action on the part of everybody in the society is the need of the hour for the preservation of forests not only for individual and social needs, but also for economic needs. He also added that contribution from all the stakeholders will create a conducive climate for newer opportunities.
Sarma admitted that around 20 per cent of Assam forest land is currently under encroachment and an adverse affect of it is being faced by all. The people are destroying hills to construct their dwelling houses. At the same time with the increase of the use of fossil fuel, global warming has taken an alarming proposition, stated Sarma.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who announced LiFE, to bring individual behaviours at the forefront of the global climate action narrative, Sarma appealed to the people to contribute to cut carbon emissions to save the balance of Mother Earth. Stating PM’s call to cut carbon emission to zero by 2070, Sarma said that the State government in response to this call is taking steps for generation of 5000 MW solar power.
Spelling out the steps taken for the preservation of forest lands in Assam, Sarma said that in the last two years by launching eviction drives in Lumding reserve forests, Poba reserve forest, Burhachapori wildlife sanctuary and Orang national park, 61375 bigha lands were freed from encroachments.
“The government is working to increase the total forest cover from the existing 36 percent to 38 %. It is not in summer alone, on all 365 days, concerted efforts will be taken to plant more saplings, save trees and protect the forest from being encroached upon. He also called for Jan Bhagidari for the massive plantation drive.
He also announced that on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October next, the government will plant one crore saplings. Everybody to participate on the occasion would get Rs 100 as a token of gratitude to look after the saplings planted on the occasion. After three years if the plant survives, the person will get another Rs 200. To create a forest centric parallel economy, the government has taken steps to encourage plantation of commercial timber like sal, teak etc, added Sarma.
Governor Kataria released two books titled ‘Towards Natural Farming’ and ‘Rare and Threatened Plant Species of Assam’ along with Sarma in the function. Assam’s first lady Anita Kataria, a number of State ministers, Parliamentarians, legislators and a host of other dignitaries were present in the program.
