Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi attends World Environment Day in Chirang

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi acceding to the demands of the various environmental enthusiasts has taken up a massive programme of plantation across the four BTAD districts in a time bound manner called 'Hariyali'. This programme is also aimed at generating awareness and to initiate assorted actions for the protection of environment in BTAD. The Governor ceremoniously inaugurated 'Hariyali' on World Environment Day at Chirang on Friday.

Governor Mukhi launched the project "Hariyali" at HQ of 15 Btln SSB, Kajal gaon, Chirang district with a block plantation of 1500 saplings by SSB jawans. Together about one lakh saplings have been planted by various agencies across 4 BTC districts by various residents, institutions and govt agencies. The current green cover of BTAD is about 36.5 per cent which is sought to be enhanced. Various varieties of plants species like jamun, aam, jalphai, leteku and ornamental species like krishnachura, radhachura, jacaranda, sonalu were planted.

About 40 lakhs of plants inclusive of flowering, fruiting, medicinal and other plant varieties are to be planted in the BTAD area in the immediate three months, June, July and August 2020 which is the rainy season. As a part of the above initiative 10 lakhs saplings will be planted in each of the four BTAD districts of Udalguri, Baksa, Kokrajhar and Chirang.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Prof. Mukhi said, "We are at the moment standing at the crossroads of urbanization and environmental degradation. However, since urbanization and its fallout of economic development have to go hand in hand, we need to devise a strategy of development in sync with the ecology. No society can go towards advancement without a balanced ecology."

The Governor said that the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) with about 189 forest villages is strategically poised to contribute to the cause of environment. The Governor said, "Indiscriminate deforestation and rampant cutting of valuable trees in BTAD which is famous for its beauty and greenery is fast turning the area into barren land. This is really a cause of serious concern for all of us especially for the younger generation." To restore the greenery of the region we have to work intensely to increase the green coverage. Also, he appealed to all the government employees to plant at least 10 saplings each leaving a distance of 6 feet between two saplings. He also urged upon the residents of BTAD area in general to plant atleast five saplings each.

Governor, Assam informed that the saplings will be freely distributed from the BTC, to the Institutions, including Educational Institutions, Agencies, Govt Servants and General Public through various distribution points spread across BTAD namely BTC Secretariat, all the four DC offices of BTAD, the Forest Range Offices, the Block Development Offices and the circle offices.

The Administrator, BTC Rajesh Prasad, Principal Secretary BTC Sidharth Singh, IGP, BTAD , Addl. PCCF, BTAD, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Chirang, Coommandant 15 Bn SSB, representatives of Army, SSB, CRPF and other senior govt. officers and invitees took part in the plantation programme.

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