GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, unveiled the "Amrit Brikshya Andolan" today, an initiative aiming to plant one crore commercial saplings across the state. Scheduled for September 17, this drive seeks to empower grassroots communities in cultivating commercial tree species, promoting agroforestry, and bolstering the state's tree-based economy.
Addressing the launch event at Janata Bhavan, CM Sarma emphasised the importance of this tree plantation drive. He stated, "Assam would plant one crore commercial saplings in three hours on 17 September 2023."
The government is engaging Self-Help Groups, frontline workers like ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, tea garden workers, educational institutions, Police personnel, and NGOs for this initiative. This strategy aims to reach even the farthest and most remote areas.
Notably, Amrit Brikshya Andolan stands out for its women-led approach towards tree plantation. By actively involving women in every aspect of the drive, the government aims to empower frontline workers, especially women, and encourage their leadership roles in environmental conservation.
The drive places strategic emphasis on Tree Outside Forest (ToF) and Agroforestry, thereby promoting sustainable land use and economic diversification, as highlighted by Environment and Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary.
For the plantation, 23 commercially valuable species, including Teak, Boga Chandan, Agaru, Gamari, Hollock, Tita Sopa, and Bogi Poma, have been selected. These tree species offer significant economic potential and present opportunities for local communities to improve their livelihoods.
As a gesture of appreciation, the state government would credit an incentive of ₹100 through direct benefit transfer to registered beneficiaries upon successfully planting a sapling and uploading its photo on the specially developed mobile app. Another ₹200 would be credited at the end of the third year if the sapling survives.
Furthermore, CM Sarma also launched a web portal for the implementation of the Assam Wood Based Industries (Promotion and Development) Rules 2022. This move is expected to streamline the functioning of the Wood Based Industries in Assam, attracting big-ticket investments in the state and generating significant direct and indirect employment opportunities.
