From Sudip Sharma Chowdhury
Guwahathi: Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonwal in a meeting with officials of Environment and Forest Department at his official residence here today reviewed the works and achievements and asked the department to sustain its good works to contribute to the enhancement of green coverage in the state. Chief Minister Sonowal said that because of the unrelenting endeavour of the government and the adequate support rendered by the department the forest cover in Assam has increased by more than 22 hectare.
He asked the department to carry forward the plantation drive in full throttle and script a phenomenal success in meeting State government's agenda of making Assam pollution free. Sonowal also asked the Forest department to set a Swahid Uopobon and plant saplings in the memory of all the martyrs of Assam Agitation and rear them for their upbringing. Environment and Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya who was also present at the meeting presented the certificate of Conservation Excellence Award, which was accorded to Manas Tiger Reserve by the Global Tiger Forum, to the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister congratulated the dept for the achievements in tiger conservation. Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Paban Kumar Borthakur, Principal Secretary to Environment and Forests Avinash Joshi, Chief Conservator of Forests AM Singh, Additional PCCF MK Yadav and other senior officers of the government were present at the meeting.
