The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a massive plantation drive across Assam on World Environment Day, aiming to plant one crore saplings. Party workers will plant at least five fruit-bearing trees at every booth, and each worker will also dedicate a sapling to the memory and honour of their mother.
Allegations of Environmental Degradation Under Previous Governments
Assam Pradesh BJP spokesperson Kamal Kumar Medhi criticised the previous Congress governments, alleging systematic destruction of forests for vested interests. He claimed that indiscriminate felling of trees, rampant encroachment upon forests and wetlands, and degradation of natural habitats became common. Rhino poaching frequently dominated headlines, and the state's natural heritage suffered sustained neglect.
Reversal of Environmental Damage Under NDA
Medhi stated that the NDA governments led by former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and current Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ended the prolonged period of environmental degradation. He said vast stretches of encroached forest land and wetlands have been reclaimed, wildlife habitats restored, and decisive measures taken to revive Assam's ecological balance.
Reclamation of Forest Land
Medhi highlighted that over 25,000 acres of forest land have been reclaimed from illegal encroachment in the last five years. During eviction drives on November 9 and 10 last year in the Dahikata Reserve Forest of Goalpara, nearly 600 illegal encroachers were removed, and approximately 1,150 bighas of forest land were restored. Subsequent afforestation and ecological restoration measures have led to the gradual return of wildlife to these reclaimed habitats.
Restoration of Elephant Corridors
The clearance of encroachments from the Dahikata and Bandarmatha reserve forests has reopened elephant corridors, reducing human-elephant conflict and enabling free movement of wild elephants.
Recovery in Other Reserves
At the Rengma Reserve Forest in Golaghat district, the government has recovered approximately 153 hectares of land and initiated extensive plantation activities. Encroachment-free restoration efforts in the Dhansiri and Daldali reserve forests of Karbi Anglong have paved the way for large-scale afforestation programmes involving multiple indigenous species. Following the reclamation of extensive portions of the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, wildlife movement has become considerably easier, contributing to a notable increase in animal populations.
World Environment Day Plantation Drive
Announcing the party's plans for World Environment Day, Medhi said, "Coinciding with the completion of 12 years of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre, the party has resolved to undertake the plantation of 1 crore saplings throughout the state."
