Sonowal also said that the state has already decided to set up a forest division at Borail range. Moreover, steps have also been taken to link Dehing Patkai with Joypore to transform it into a National Park and Jonai rain forest into a wildlife sanctuary.
He also emphasized the importance of flora and fauna in enriching nature and said it is important to take the responsibility to protect plants and animals.
Slamming the previous government for not doing anything to stop the rhino poaching, Sonowal said that during the erstwhile government, the poachers turned the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries into their pasture lands.
However, the current government after coming to power took active steps to stop rhino poaching and 240 poachers were given the strictest punishments by setting up 10 fast track courts. With this, the state has also witnessed an increase in tourists as a result of neutralizing the poachers and resultant increase in wildlife population in Assam.
Speaking on the occasion, state Environment and Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya said their government, in a bid to contribute to the green coverage of Assam, has already planted 8 crore saplings across the state.
During the event, the Chief Minister also presented 'Lifetime Achievement Award' to environmentalist PC Bhattacharyya.
Sonowal also felicitated wildlife conservationists Purnima Devi Barman and Suhan Mallick. He further presented awards to winners of online competitions held commemorating the Wildlife week.