MLA on job to provide Palasbarians 'third lung'

Our Bureau

GUWAHATI/MIRZA, August 17: Palasbari LAC is on way to be a ‘Neem gari’ with the initiative of a plantation drive being carried out by local MLA Prab Kalita. In the presence of the local MLA, State Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, students and teachers of South Kamrup College and others Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal launched the plantation drive today.

The local MLA took the initiative with a view to providing his LAC an ‘additiol or third lung’ as Neem tree is famous for freshening air, thereby pulling the pollution level down. The local MLA has his set on seeing at least a Neem tree standing erect in front of every household in his LAC. As many as 1,000 saplings of Neem trees were planted today, and the target is to plant at least 5,000 a year and 25,000 such saplings in his term as an MLA.

Launching the drive, Sonowal said: “Pollution free Assam is one of the agenda of the State Government. The initiative taken by the Palasbari MLA is laudable, and the MLAs of the rest 125 LACs of the State should follow suit. Assam's beauty lies in its ture, flora and fau. The enchanting beauty of the State has mesmerised travellers from all across the world since time immemorial. And this beauty we have to preserve at any costs for future generations to come."

Speaking at the function that was presided over by former South Kamrup College Principal Praneswar Kalita, State Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma said: “Apart from freshening air and pulling down pollution level, Neem trees have great medicil value. If this drive succeeds, Palasbari, which is known for its green cover, will be greener.”

Local MLA Kalita appealed to each and every family of his LAC to plant at least a Neem sapling and nurture it as their own child. Kalita also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on the development of his LAC.

Meanwhile, South Kamrup College extended an amount to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund at the function.