Assam Launches Major Afforestation Initiatives with Amrit Brikshya Andolan
Significant Afforestation Efforts Announced
The state planted 1,149.64 hectares against a target of 1,191.82 hectares during the period. (Photo:@himantabiswa/'X')
GUWAHATI, July 3: Assam is preparing to implement extensive afforestation and ecological restoration initiatives in the upcoming months. This includes the planting of one crore saplings as part of the Amrit Brikshya Andolan, along with the distribution of an additional one crore indigenous fruit saplings next year, as announced by Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah on Thursday.
The announcements were made during the 77th Van Mahotsav celebrations at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, where the Minister, accompanied by Forest Department officials and local residents, planted 77 saplings to commemorate the event.
Scheduled from August 10 to 14, the Amrit Brikshya Andolan will involve approximately 10 lakh students, starting from Class IX and including college attendees, each tasked with planting 10 saplings. To enhance the survival rate of these plants, each student will be paired with a job card holder under the VB-G-RAM-G framework. These job card holders will receive an incentive of Rs 1,500, equivalent to five days' wages, distributed in installments, contingent on the survival of at least 50% of the saplings planted.
Students who successfully care for their saplings and upload geo-tagged images will earn the ‘Briksha Bandhu’ certificate.
Additionally, the Minister introduced the ‘Phalbari’ initiative, which aims to distribute one crore indigenous fruit saplings—such as mango, jackfruit, letku, paniyal, kordoi, and kaji nemu—across the state starting in April next year. Nursery development for this program is set to commence in October.
This initiative is designed to preserve indigenous plant species while enhancing food and nutritional security.
As part of the Van Mahotsav festivities, each Forest Range in Assam will create a ‘Janmadin Seuj Shopoth’ (Birthday Garden), which will be inaugurated on July 7. Residents will be encouraged to celebrate their birthdays by planting trees, with an online portal established for booking saplings.