The Aranya Suraksha Samiti, Assam (ASSA), a prominent environmental body, has formally urged the state government to establish a dedicated environmental university within the Udalguri district of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). This significant demand aims to position the district as a global hub for ecological studies and sustainable development.
Memorandum Submitted to State Minister
On Tuesday, representatives of ASSA presented a detailed memorandum to Assam's Transport Minister, Charan Boro, in Rowta, Udalguri. The document was officially addressed to the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, seeking his direct intervention and support for this ambitious educational project.
After receiving and reviewing the appeal, Minister Boro acknowledged the importance of the demand. He expressed his gratitude to ASSA for bringing the proposal forward and gave assurances that he would personally discuss the matter with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Boro also highlighted that his ongoing development agenda for the BTR includes plans for a medical college, an extension of the Bodoland secretariat, and the establishment of a university, signaling a broader focus on enhancing the region's infrastructure.
Vision for a Globally Prominent Udalguri
In a conversation with the media, Haricharan Das, the Secretary General of ASSA, elaborated on the contents of the memorandum. He stated that their primary appeal to the Chief Minister is to extend full cooperation to make Udalguri district globally prominent through the founding of a specialized environmental university.
Das emphasized that such an institution would not only provide higher education opportunities in critical fields like environmental science, forestry, and climate studies but also drive sustainable development and research specific to the region's rich biodiversity. The move is seen as a strategic step to align the Bodoland Territorial Region's growth with ecological conservation and to create a skilled workforce capable of addressing modern environmental challenges.
Potential Impact and Future Steps
The demand for an environmental university in Udalguri has the potential to transform the educational and economic landscape of the BTR. If realized, it would attract students and researchers from across the country and potentially internationally, fostering innovation and placing Assam firmly on the map for environmental academia.
The ball is now in the court of the state government, with Minister Charan Boro acting as the conduit to convey ASSA's proposal to the highest level. The coming weeks will reveal whether this vision for a dedicated center of environmental learning in Udalguri gains the necessary political momentum and is incorporated into the state's future development plans for the Bodoland Territorial Region.
