Guwahati: Stressing on the need to increase the use of technology like satellite imaging by the State environment & forest
department for monitoring activities, Assam government decided to use drone surveys for verifying the authenticity of all tree plantation
programs carried out under various biodiversity projects. Attending the 72nd van mahotsav week organised by the environment &
forest department at AIIMS construction site in Changsari locality near the Guwahati metropolitan city and also planting a rudraksh
sapling, State chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized on monitoring for quantifying the performance.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has taught the importance of oxygen and therefore we must strive towards preserving the State’s forest
covers,” said CM Sarma adding that the van mahotsav helps in spreading necessary awareness about greeneries and trees for a sustaining
ecology.
He also informed that massive reforms would be initiated in the forest department soon so that incidents like 18 elephants’ death in
Bamunipahar of Nagaon, where rampant deforestation took place, do not occur again. Accountability will be fixed and strict action to be
taken against the department officials if forests are jeopardised, asserted Sarma.
“The forest officials must work for preserving the forest resources like sand, stones etc and here after the forest beats & gates
will be abolished to check corruption and illegal supply of forest resources,” stated Sarma adding that simplifying rules for
enabling people to grow and sell Agar, red sandal wood etc in private lands becomes necessary.
Assam to use drones for verification of plantation programs
