AR planted over 21L trees in 2020 in state: Maj Gen Naresh
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 16 2021:
Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) major general Alok Naresh on Friday interacted with media persons of Manipur and briefed them on afforestation drive undertaken by the Assam Rifles in Manipur.
During the interaction, Alok Naresh stated that in-keeping with the ethos of the Forces, "Sentinels of the North East", Assam Rifles has been at the forefront of various people-centric activities in Manipur and North East as a whole.
In line with this, the Assam Rifles was part of the initiative of undertaking an afforestation drive in Manipur as part of the pan-India programme being organised under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs.
The pan-India programme is in-line with the Prime Minister' s inspirational vision of bringing 26 million hectares of land under plantation by 2030 which he elucidated during the G20 summit in November 2020 .
Accordingly, troops of the IGAR (South) planted over 21 lakh trees in 11 districts of Manipur in 2020 as part of the afforestation drive.
It is pertinent to mention that IGAR (South) spearheaded the afforestation drive in Manipur wherein the troops of Assam Rifles planted over 96 per cent of the total trees planted in the State in 2020 .
To achieve this massive task, certain initiatives were undertaken by the Force such as establishing our own nurseries in various operating bases as well as creating Van Vatikas to honour the fallen soldiers of Assam Rifles.
Continuing with the initiative, IGAR (South) will be planting a further 7.2 Lakh tree during the current year.
To support this drive, the Formation is in the process of establishing new nurseries and Van Vatika's along with creating vermicomposting pits to attain self-sufficiency with respect to afforestation.
By the end of the current year, the Formation will have 127 nurseries, 62 Van Vatika's and 33 vermicomposting pits in various locations across the state.
It is also planning to engage local communities to participate in the afforestation drive to educate and involve the masses in this very important ecological activity.
At the same time, Assam Rifles is actively collaborating with the local Forest Department authorities to give an impetus to the efforts of the state government and Forest Department in their efforts to also 'green' the state of Manipur.
Assam Rifles has also been at the forefront of drive to prevent deforestation in Manipur through frequent educative interactions with people at the grassroots level as also by stopping the illegal trade in forest and wildlife products.
In the span of last one and a half years, IGAR (South) has undertaken 46 specific operations wherein forest produce including timber and wildlife products to the tune of Rs 213 Crore have been seized.
In the end, the Inspector General assured the people of the state of Manipur that the Assam Rifles is committed to their uplift through not only providing security but also by engaging in people-centric and humanitarian efforts now and in the future also.
Comment
