From A Correspondent
KALIABOR, July 1: To add momentum to the government’s endeavour of making Assam greener, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal as a part of the 68th Va Mahotsava celebration, ceremonially launched Avenue Plantation Programme along the tiol highway from Kaliabor Tiniali to Bokakhat at a programme held at Kaliabor and Jakhalabondha on Saturday.
Iugurating the Va Mahotsava at Muktijujaru Bhawan in Kaliabor today, Chief Minister Sonowal said that the State Government is committed to a pollution free environment which according to him would be the right manifestation of parivartan that the people of Assam have endorsed. Sonowal also said that synchronising with the 68th Va Mahotsava, State Government would plant 10 crore saplings across the State.
Addressing the gathering, Sonowal said, “Plantation is our tiol duty and under any circumstances Assam won’t be lagging behind in performing its tiol duty. Plantation of 10 crore saplings is our endeavour which would augur well in making Assam greener and free from pollution”.
Sonowal also called upon the students’ fraternity, teachers and parents to shoulder the responsibility to plant saplings and contribute to the State’s growth in organic sector. He also said that the State has a rich repository of medicil plants and an organised effort would be a force multiplier to use Assam’s abundant variety of flora in producing medicines and promoting the health and hygiene of the people.
Sonowal also said that trees are deterrent to flood and erosion and large scale plantation besides helping the State to take a giant leap in its development can help it in tackling flood and flood induced erosion. He also emphasised that large scale plantation is also a way towards creating village tourism and generating employment opportunities.
Chief Minister Sonowal also said that State Government is working on a holistic approach for the development of historic Kolong Waterway and informed that this year’s budget has already sanctioned Rs. 10 crore for the purpose. He also released a Contingency Flood Manual-2017 for Kaliabor Sub-Division at the same function.
Minister for Environment and Forest Pramila Rani Brahma, Minister for Water ResourcesKeshab Mahanta and Minister of Agriculture Atul Bora also spoke on the occasion.
