One crore sapling plantation drive: Assam identifies SHG members, Anganwadi workers among others as target groups

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

SHG members, Anganwadi workers and helpers, ASHA workers, police including VDPs and battalions, tea gardens, educational institutions and government offices as target groups. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a meeting with the Deputy Commissioners to discuss the plan of action for implementation of three ambitious initiatives of the state government at Janata Bhawan today. These initiatives are plantation of one crore saplings across Assam to boost commercial wood production and environment protection, Khel Maharan and Sanskritik Mahasangram for creating an inclusive environment for identifying talents in the field of sports and culture.

The Chief Minister said that under the proposed plantation initiative, this year around one crore saplings having commercial value would be planted on a single day across Assam. He said though SHG members, Anganwadi workers and helpers, ASHA workers, police including VDPs and battalions, tea gardens, educational institutions and government offices have been identified as target groups, DCs should encourage voluntary participation of people, NGOs, public and religious institutions in the drive to turn the exercise into a mass movement. He said the focus of this drive should not only be on plantation alone but more on ownership as this would boost commercial wood production and increasing green cover in the long run.

As part of the initiative, a portal has been developed for registration of people who are willing to join the drive. After plantation, geo-tagged photos will be required to upload and an incentive of Rs. 100 for plantation and Rs.

200 if the tree survives will be provided. Plantation can be done on own farm land and at institutions as well. The Environment and Forest