Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Launches ‘Amrit Brikshya Andolan’ App to Spur 1 Crore Sapling Drive.
App and Web Portal
On 2 August 2023, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled the ‘Amrit Brikshya Andolan’ mobile app and web portal, marking the start of the state’s ambitious plantation campaign. The initiative aims to plant 1 crore (10 million) commercially viable saplings—such as teak, sal, and sandalwood—across Assam in a single day on 17 September 2023, involving public participation to strengthen the state’s green cover and contribute to climate action.
- The Amrit Brikshya Andolan mobile app and portal, launched in Guwahati’s Janata Bhawan, serve as digital platforms to register participants, share geo-tagged planting photos, and issue participation certificates. Registered citizens receive ₹100 per sapling, with an additional ₹200 if the sapling survives for three years.
- On 17 September 2023, around 40 lakh members of women self-help groups across Assam were lined up to plant two saplings each, totaling 80 lakh, while the remaining 20 lakh+ saplings were slated to be planted by government officials, frontline workers, tea garden labourers, and the general public.
- The campaign targets not just environmental restoration but also rural livelihood enhancement. Commercial saplings planted can be sold without forest department permission, offering income generation opportunities to farmers and villagers.
Main Point :- (i) Assam aims to expand the drive in future phases—targeting 3 crore saplings in 2024, and 5 crore by 2025, with the goal to raise the forest cover in the state from 36% to 38%. The 2024 edition introduced digital upgrades, enabling easier registration and monitoring via app.
(ii) Dubbed a key element of Assam’s green economy strategy and climate resilience agenda, the initiative aligns with CM Sarma’s vision of sustainable development and biodiversity enrichment, and has been touted as Assam’s contribution to national climate goals.
Chief minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor: Lakshman Acharya
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