Assam begins four-day plantation drive under Brikshya Bandhu initiative

Minister for Environment and Forest Jayanta Mallabaruah ceremonially launched the ‘Brikshya Bandhu’ initiative at the Sri Sri Damodardev International Auditorium, Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Panjabari, Guwahati, marking the beginning of a four-day statewide plantation drive involving more than 22 lakh students from Class VI onwards. Under the initiative, students across Assam will plant more than 1.5 crore saplings from August 11 to 14 as part of the Amrit Brikshya Andolan.

The initiative has brought together 11,277 educational institutions across the State, with 2,128,495 students already registered for the plantation drive. The Forest Department has distributed 1.57 crore saplings to participating educational institutions till now.

Seven educational institutions took part in the central launch programme in Guwahati, while students and institutions across the State joined the programme through online platforms.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Baruah thanked the students, teachers, Education Department and officials of the Forest Department and all those associated with this initiative. He said the programme aims not only to increase tree cover but also to develop a lasting sense of responsibility among the younger generation towards planting, protecting and nurturing trees.