Indian Army celebrates Van Mahotsav Week with tree plantation in Gossaigaon

Our Correspondent

Gossaigaon: As a part of the celebration of 70th Van Mahotsav Week, a tree plantation (community orchard) was organized by 135 Eco Task Force under the aegis of Territorial Army Group HQ and Red Horns Division at Aojharguri village, of Kachugaon Police Station under Kokrajhar district on Friday. This was the second Community Orchard which was created after Ultapani on July 2. The officials stated that a green village is a process for attaining sustainable development where the local residents can live in pleasant healthy and sustainable environment.

The unit has taken an initiative to contribute towards sustenance for economic and livelihood. A novel concept was evolved to make/develop a community orchard in various villages under Kokrajhar district areas of BTAD under the aegis of TA Gp HQ Eastern Command and HQ 11 Mountain Brigade. A community orchard is a collection of fruit trees planted in a public space. These orchards are shared resources, not managed for profit. What they have in common is that they care for a community of people. Community orchards are planted for many reasons. They increase the public’s access to healthy, organic fruit-especially in areas where the population cannot afford healthy, fresh food.

They teach young people where their food comes from. They allow ordinary people to develop organic fruit tree growing skills and they can make an ordinary park or green space into a community centre, where residents volunteer together to care and harvest the trees.

Today theatre 135 Infantry Battalion (TA) ECO ASSAM carried out Community Orchard plantation at Aojharguri Village ,Sonfan Range forest under Haltugaon division. The villagers actively participated in the event which was inaugurated by the village headman. The participation of the villagers was picturesque as all age group were seen doing plantation.

The Commanding Officer Colonel K Sarkar interacted with the villagers. He said, “The small children who enthusiastically planted trees today are the future of tomorrow. The trees will go together with the child.”

The process began after various discussions & meeting with village headmen and Gaon Bura since June 2019. The land was made available by the village headman & Gaonbura about 1.5 Ha. A joint effort was meticulously planned with the villagers and personnel of 135 Inf Bn (TA) Eco ASSAM. Clearing of the undergrowths, deweeding, digging of pits commenced since June 29. A total of 770 fruit bearing saplings and commercial sapplings of various species were planted. The community orchard will be additional source of livelihood towards economic sustenance.

Also read: 70th Van Mahotsav Week celebrated in Kokrajhar and Haflong with various programmes