HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 20: In a significant step towards combining environmental sustainability with women empowerment, the Silchar Municipal Board has launched Phase-II of the ‘Women for Trees’ initiative. The programme is a collaborative effort under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), both functioning under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.
According to an official statement, the initiative aims to increase urban green cover while generating livelihood opportunities for women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in AMRUT-covered cities. The second phase of the project was formally inaugurated on June 19, 2025, with the planting of 50 saplings — a mix of medicinal and fruit-bearing trees — at the Solid Liquid Resource Management (SLRM) Centre near Cachar College.
The plantation drive witnessed active participation from the Executive Officer, officials of the Silchar Municipal Board, and SHG members, reinforcing a community-driven approach to ecological development.
Related Posts:
As part of the project’s sustainable model, the responsibility for nurturing the saplings has been entrusted to the SHG members. These women are being compensated for their efforts, thus aligning ecological restoration with income generation. The initiative underscores the dual goals of green urban development and grassroots empowerment.
The site for the plantation was previously identified on May 21, 2025, and the continuation of efforts through Phase-II marks Silchar’s growing commitment to the cause. The initiative positions women as custodians of the environment and highlights the potential of inclusive, community-led development.
The ‘Women for Trees’ campaign, as stated, is designed not just to promote tree planting, but to build a lasting culture of environmental stewardship across the country, with Silchar emerging as a leading example.
