Golaghat: A large-scale plantation drive commenced on Saturday at Sonari Bil in the Rengma Reserve Forest, Uriamghat, following the recent reclamation of nearly 8,900 bighas of forest land. The initiative, led by the Forest Department, aims to plant 15,000 saplings across 60 hectares of cleared land in the first phase.
Local residents joined hands with officials from various departments to participate in the programme. Special Chief Secretary M.K. Yadava described the event as “like a festival,” adding that the drive will continue daily until September 23.
The Forest Department has also outlined plans to transform Rengma Reserve Forest into an eco-tourism hub, with community-based tourism projects involving local villages.
Golaghat Deputy Commissioner Pulak Mahanta expressed optimism about the forest’s restoration, noting that the effort is being carried out under the guidance of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The plantation drive comes after a major eviction operation on July 29, which cleared alleged encroachments from over 11,000 bighas of forest land, affecting multiple villages. Notices were issued to 1,500 of the approximately 2,000 families in the area prior to the demolition.