Assam BJP to plant 1 crore saplings on World Environment Day
Guwahati, June 4
On the eve of World Environment Day, the Bharatiya Janata Party in Assam highlighted several environmental initiatives undertaken by the state government over the past decade.
State BJP spokesperson Kamal Kumar Medhi stated that the government has prioritised ecological preservation through large-scale forest reclamation and afforestation.
According to the party, more than 25,000 acres of forest land have been reclaimed from illegal encroachment over the last five years.
Detailing specific interventions, the party noted that eviction drives in the Dahikata Reserved Forest of Goalpara in November last year resulted in the clearance of nearly 600 encroachments and the restoration of approximately 1,150 bighas of land.
Similar restoration efforts have been reported in the Rengma Reserved Forest of Golaghat, where the government stated that approximately 153 hectares have been recovered for afforestation.
Further initiatives have been carried out in the Dhansiri, Daldali, and Laokhowa regions, which officials claim have facilitated wildlife movement and contributed to population growth in protected sanctuaries.
The BJP also pointed to the rise in tourism at Kaziranga, Manas National Park, and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary as indicators of successful conservation and infrastructure development. Government data cited by the party indicates that visitor numbers in Kaziranga increased from approximately 155,000 to 548,000, which the party credits to enhanced wildlife protection measures.
Regarding the upcoming World Environment Day on June 5, Medhi announced that the BJP will conduct a statewide plantation drive. This initiative coincides with the completion of twelve years of the NDA government at the Centre.
The party has resolved to plant 10 million saplings, with party workers instructed to plant at least five fruit-bearing trees in every booth as part of the campaign.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great to see the focus on reclaiming forest land from encroachment 😊 Dahikata and Rengma efforts are commendable. But I hope the eviction drives were conducted humanely - these are often poor families who were pushed to encroach due to lack of alternatives. Genuine rehabilitation must go hand in hand with conservation.
As someone from Assam, I can confirm that Kaziranga's tourism boom is real. I visited last winter and the park was buzzing with visitors - both domestic and foreign. The infrastructure has improved significantly. But conservation isn't just about tourism numbers; it's about protecting the rhinos and tigers. Let's not reduce ecology to a photo op.
I admire the ambition of planting 10 million trees! In Canada we do similar large-scale reforestation. The key is community involvement - if local villagers take ownership, these saplings will thrive. Also, fruit-bearing trees are a smart choice - they provide food for wildlife and livelihoods for people. Good move, Assam BJP!
BJP has been in power for 12 years now, and Assam's environment has seen both progress and setbacks. The plantation drive is good PR, but what about industrial pollution in the Brahmaputra? What about the oil fields contaminating groundwater near Digboi? 🙏 Let's not just plant trees while ignoring deeper ecological wounds.
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