Assam aims to plant 3 crore trees in 2024 to enhance green cover and support environmental growth across the state. The Chief Minister of Assam announced in the Budget 2023-24 the ambitious goal of planting 3 crore seedlings during 2024-25. This initiative is part of the ongoing Amrit Brikshya Andolan, a major plantation drive that began on June 8, 2023.
Last year, the initiative saw millions of people across Assam participate in a single-day plantation event on September 17, 2023. Over 1.19 crore commercial saplings were planted by various groups, including women’s groups, school children, teachers, tea garden workers, NGOs, and environmentally conscious citizens. The seedlings were provided free of cost by the state Forest Department, and the survival rate of these saplings was above 90%.
The program follows the ‘Jan Bhagidaari’ model, which received an overwhelming response, with over 48 lakh beneficiaries registering through a mobile app. Participants uploaded geo-tagged and time-stamped pictures of their planted seedlings, contributing to the creation of 10 Guinness World Records during the 2023 campaign.
In addition to the Amrit Brikshya Andolan, the Government of Assam will honor mothers by planting seedlings. On World Environment Day 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, encouraging citizens to plant a tree as a tribute to their mothers. The Chief Minister of Assam urges everyone in the state to participate in this campaign.