Synchronizing with the observation of World Environment Day, the BPF organized a public awareness meeting on protection of forest at Bashbari ME School in Bismuri near Chirang reserve forest today. The chief of BTC- Hagrama Mohilary who is also the president of the BPF graced the occasion as the chief guest. He called upon the people to protect the forest resources for the sake of the mankind. He also said the council has initiated for conservation of forest and its resources in BTC area where the support of the people are utmost important to curb down the timber smugglers and illegal encroachers.

The programme was also spoken by the deputy chief- Kampa Borgoyary who is also the In-charge of the Forest and Tourism, BTC. Besides, the programme was also attended by MLA- Pramila Rani Brahma and other EMs of BTC.

Meanwhile, the Bodoland Guardian, a weekly newspaper published from Kokrajhar, in collaboration with 135 Eco Task Force (Green Rhinos) have launched a plantation-cum-cleanliness drive in Kokrajhar. The programme started with tree plantation at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kokrajhar where about 100 of saplings were planted. A total of 200 saplings were distributed to the students for planting at their home. The plantation of saplings was also organized at Commerce College, Don Bosco and Science College, Kokrajhar, where a total of 200 saplings were planted. A short discussion on “Impact of Environmental Degradation on Human Life” was also held on the occasion.

The next programme was conducted at Don Bosco School, Kokrajhar, where the students performed street play. All the students of Don Bosco took one sapling each and took an oath to plant the saplings at their home.

Addressing the gathering, Lt Col KS Jaggi, Commanding Officer of 135 ETF, said that the force is always ready to provide saplings and any other help to the people if they are willing to plant saplings. “We have to save our environment by launching a regular plantation programme,” said Colonel Jaggi, adding that “the students have a bigger role to play in this regard.”

The principal of Don Bosco, Rev Fr Damian Basumatary spoke on the need of plantation. He urged the students not to use plastic bags or polythene. He also urged the Bodoland Guardian to organize more such programmes on environment issues. The plantation programme will be carried out throughout the monsoon period. Several villages, schools and vacant field have been selected for the purpose, he added.

On the other hand, the Patgaon School Alumni Society in association with the Patgaon High and ME School also observed the World Environment Day today at the school compound. The Director of Education, BTC- Rabi Sankar Borgoyary attended the function as the chief guest.

In his speech, Borgoyary called upon the students to play a pivotal role to protect the forest and its resources. He said the climate change due to destruction of nature has bad impact on the humanity and other animals. Since life is not possible without tress, everybody should plant tress anywhere and for clean environment everybody should think of cleanliness, he said adding that the students need clean environment for their study and this environment comes from the nature and therefore, the students should participate in protection of forest and plant more trees everywhere with proper care.

The DFO- Kachugaon- Suvasish Das said the World Environment Day has been observed on every June 5 since 1972 with a view to protect the environment degradation. He said that 19 per cent of forests are being destroyed every year and in BTC the rate of destruction of forest is faster. After large scale destruction of forest, the Kokrajhar district has 35 per cent left with forest cover and degradation is still going on, he said adding that everybody should come forward to protect the rest of forest and students should plant trees anywhere other than observation of World Environment Day.

Borgoyary and Das started the plantation of saplings in the school compound. The Superintendent of Sales Tax- Puleswar Basumatary who is also the alumni of Patgaon School also planted sapling. The headmasters of Patgaon High and ME Schools- Samit Iswary and R Baglary, local people, teachers and students also took part in planation of saplings in the school compound and outside school boundary.