Information about how to obtain saplings free

Do you want to go green with a bit of plantation? You can go for such a venture with saplings being supplied free of cost by the Social Forestry, Assam.

The State Social Forestry distributes saplings round the year even though it prefers such distribution during the monsoon – from April.

For free-of-cost saplings from the department, a person needs to apply to the Social Forestry Division of his locality. He can also apply directly to the DFO (Divisional Forest Officer) concerned of the Social Forestry for saplings. The DFO concerned can make the arrangement for the supply of saplings from departmental nurseries. The approach road for obtaining free-of-cost saplings is one and the same for institutions and NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) as well.

If the demand for saplings is bulk, the department takes the pain of verifying the spot for plantation and the plantation plan.

The department seems to be choosy while supplying saplings. It supplies a variety of saplings right from fruits to medical plants. However, the department is reluctant to supply timber saplings as people prefer to cut them after 15 years or so. Apart from this, timber plants don't allow herbs and shrubs to grow under them, nor do they help prevent soil erosion. The department prefers to provide saplings of ahot (pippol) trees, banyan trees, bamboos and the like that help prevent soil erosion.

Saplings are supplied in bulk during green festivals like Seuj Saptah, World Earth Day, World Environment Day etc.

The department collects seeds from forest areas and purchase when needed.

For detailed information one can visit their nearest forest range office or that of the DFO.

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