A CORRESPONDENT
NUMALIGARH: Last month, the Government of Assam announced that in order to protect Assam as a State with rich bio-diversity, the government, under the aegis of the Environment and Forest Department, would set up Sahitya Monikhi Upobon in 24 different places of the State and as part of the initiative, at least 1,000 tree saplings were to be planted in this monsoon season.
On Thursday, State Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya inaugurated the Sahitya Monikhi Upobon at Thuramukh near Nambor-Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary in Golaghat district and planted tree saplings on the occasion. The Forest Minister was accompanied by Member of Parliament Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and other senior forest officials of the State.
Addressing the people present on the occasion, the minister stated, "In our ancient scriptures, it is written that a tree is equal to ten sons and the saying has its own significance. The support and benefits that a tree provides you throughout your life is not less than what ten of your sons will do for you." He urged the employees of the Environment and Forest Department and the local people of the area to take care of the planted saplings and ensure their upbringing.
The minister said that at least 1,000 species of different herbs, exotic and medicinal saplings would be planted in the bio-diversity park and the scientific and local names of all the plants would also be displayed so that the new generation and other interested stakeholders could get to see and know the rich bio-diversity of their land.
An inaugural session was also held on the occasion. The programme was moderated by Divisional Forest Officer of Golaghat, Bhaskar Deka. Conservator of Forest (Upper Assam Circle), Narayan Mahanta offered the welcome speech where as PCCF and HoFF of the State, AM Singh elaborated the objectives of the programme. In his speech, Singh stated that the common people of the State were unaware of the exotic plants and herbs found in the region. He said that this noble initiative would not only help the common people to enhance their knowledge but people would also be interested in medicinal qualities of such herbs and exotic plants. He urged the people to plant such saplings in everyone's backyard.
In his speech, Member of Parliament Kamakhya Prasad Tasa said that Golaghat district was enriched with rich bio-diversity and flora and fauna. He also said that with Kaziranga National Park and Nambor-Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary in it, Golaghat had the potential to be announced as a 'Bio-Diversity District' in the future.