HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, July 5: The Swima Athing Group (SAG), also known as “The Active Leg of Kokrajhar”, organised a plantation drive along the Golden Jubilee Road near the Railway Flyover in Kokrajhar on Saturday.
The initiative was carried out with the support of the Green Bodoland Mission, with the aim of reviving and expanding the district’s green cover.
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The event was held under the theme “Let’s have a plan to plant trees for a greener world”, and called upon citizens to actively contribute towards combating global warming through tree plantation.
The programme was inaugurated by the Director of the Green Bodoland Mission, Manaranjan Das, who planted the first sapling.
In his address, Das stated that the Green Bodoland Mission was initiated at the behest of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Pramod Boro with the goal of restoring the region’s ecological balance.
He informed that the mission has been actively supporting NGOs, clubs, and societies across the region with saplings, protective materials, and manure for plantation activities.
In Kokrajhar district alone, support has been extended to 110 clubs and societies, including financial assistance for maintenance to those who demonstrated successful implementation.
“Planting trees is a noble and globally encouraged act. We all have a responsibility to contribute as citizens in the fight against climate change,” Das said.
Speaking to the media, SAG Secretary Ajit Kumar Basumatary highlighted that the group was established in 2022 and comprises morning walkers from various professional backgrounds, including professors, doctors, journalists, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, cine artistes, and government employees.
He stated that the group was formed with the aim of promoting healthy living, cleanliness, and environmental consciousness through regular plantation drives.
Basumatary shared that SAG’s consistent efforts were recognised at the national level.
“Our initiatives reached the Chief Minister’s Office and the Prime Minister’s Office in 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged our work during his popular radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and invited us to attend the grand celebration of its 100th episode at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, in 2023,” he said.
He also added that he was subsequently invited to the Republic Day celebration in New Delhi in 2024.
He affirmed that the Swima Athing Group will continue its activities with the same dedication and commitment to a cleaner and greener Kokrajhar.
