Assam to create history by planting 1 crore commercially viable saplings across state

People across the state participated in this massive plantation drive, which has been named as the "Amrit Brikshya Jan Andolan".

Assam today attempted a World Record by planting one crore saplings on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 73rd birthday.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel attended the ‘Briksha Abdolan’ at the Janata Bhawan in Guwahati this morning.

People across the state participated in this massive plantation drive, which has been named as the “Amrit Brikshya Jan Andolan”.

Speaking to media, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Today, we have started the process of planting 1 crore saplings and it’s protection. We have tried to create some world records from September 9.”

“So far we have yet to receive the certificates from the authority of the Guinness Book of World Records. We have planted a 22.22 km long line of spiral pattern with more than 3 lakh saplings on September 9. It should be part of the world record”, he added.

He said the ‘Amrit Brikshya Andolan’ will increase green cover as well as boost the local economy as commercial trees will mostly be planted during the plantation exercises.

He said next year the state government will attempt to plant three crore saplings in non-forest areas and another five crores in forest areas, while in 2025, the attempt will be for 5 crore seedlings each in non-forest and forest areas.

Sarma further added that he was hopeful of a good number as this year’s plantation is mostly done by private households and the people will take care of the plants.

“Also, since the saplings are of trees with commercial value, people will have an interest in nurturing it as they will get good returns after 7-10 years,” he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded Assam’s ‘Amrit Brikshya Andolan’ and said that initiatives like these will further bolster our national mission for clean and green growth.

PM Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and said, “The idea of planting one crore saplings across Assam is admirable and laudable”

The letter was shared by Sarma on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday.

It is always blissful Hon PM Shri @narendramodi Ji to get your guidance and generous blessings in our novel endeavours.

Our Amrit Brikshya Andolan has been inspired by your vision, and dedication to a clean, green and sustainable future. We commit to relentlessly pursue your… pic.twitter.com/C6dDJN6sXV

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 16, 2023

Modi said several references in the nation’s culture and literature reflect the importance of trees and forests, and quoted a couple of Sanskrit lines on how trees purify the air and help in driving away diseases.

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