On the 73rd birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Assam witnessed a historic moment as it embarked on a mission to plant one crore commercial tree saplings in a single day. This monumental endeavor, aptly named the ‘Amrit Brikshya Jan Andolan,’ not only seeks to enhance the state’s green cover but also aims to lay the foundation for a burgeoning “tree economy.”
The ambitious initiative, spearheaded by the BJP government in Assam, brought together a diverse group of participants, including members of women’s self-help groups, prominent citizens, students, police personnel, and government officials. The grand plantation drive was officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati on a sunny Sunday morning.
“Assam creates history! Today I joined the #AmritBrikshya Jan Andolan to plant 1 cr saplings, a citizen-led movement to build a tree economy, a clean environment and celebrate the birthday of a true champion of the Green Planet – Adarniya Shri Narendra Modi ji,” Sarma proudly declared on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) after planting a sapling within the state Secretariat’s premises.
The event garnered even more attention as officials from the Guinness Book of World Records were present to witness this remarkable feat. An official announcement about setting a new world record for planting the highest number of saplings in a single day is expected in the near future.
Assam’s commitment to this green revolution doesn’t stop here. CM Sarma revealed the state government’s plans to plant three crore saplings in non-forest areas and an additional five crores in forested regions next year. By 2025, the aim is to reach a staggering five crore saplings in both non-forest and forest areas annually.
However, some concerns were raised regarding the survival of these newly planted trees, given the dry and humid weather conditions at the time of plantation. CM Sarma was quick to address these concerns by highlighting the forest department’s assurance of an 80% survival rate. This optimism stems from the fact that many saplings were planted within residential areas, where local residents are expected to take good care of these vital green assets. Despite a maximum temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius recorded in Guwahati on the day of the event, the state remains hopeful about the project’s success.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself lauded the mass plantation drive in a letter to Assam’s CM, underscoring the significance of this endeavor for both the state and the nation.
Assam’s ‘Amrit Brikshya Jan Andolan’ stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the power of collective action in nurturing our environment and fostering a sustainable “tree economy.” As the saplings take root and flourish, they symbolize a greener, more prosperous future for Assam and a shining example for the world to follow.
