On the occasion of World Environmental Day, a Guwahati based community The FERNS Society (TFS) distributed 300 saplings of various plants to Assam Police personnel and public and planted around 60 more in various schools in Guwahati.
This initiative was supported by Guwahati Foodie & Trishoolin Yoga and Wellness.
In order to extend the reach of the initiative, the team divided into two groups. The first group looked into the plantation of around 60 sapling of different fruit bearing plants in 10 schools of Guwahati. While the second group took the task of distributing 300 more saplings across the city.
They started the project from the office of Crime Branch of Assam Police. To mark the beginning of the drive, the TFS team distributed saplings at the office of Guwahati Crime Branch including DCP (Crime) Barun Purkayastha and other officials of the crime branch.
With the help of volunteers and local citizens the first team planted the saplings in playgrounds of the schools. They planted a variety of fruit bearing plants like mangoes, guava, pomegranate etc.. The aim is to teach school children to take active part in these activities.
The Second team traveled across the city from DCP (Crime office) – Machkhua – Bharalumukh – Maligaon – Jalukbari . Then returned from there to Panbazar via M G Road – Chandmari – Noonmati – Narengi – Patharquarry to 6 Mile. Then returned via GS Road – Ganeshguri – Bhangagarh – Ulubari – B Baruah Road to Guwahati Club and finally ended the distribution at Panbazar.
They also distributed some saplings among the team of Assam Startup at the Nest.
To ensure that the saplings are not wasted, the team took the effort to ask each of the recipients if they were willing to rear a plant. Some of the people expressed that they didn’t have the space to plant at their residences or enough time to take care of a sapling. They encouraged to either plant the sapling at their workplaces or gift it to someone who has space.
The team distributes around 300 saplings among Guwahatians under this plantation drive. Along with the plantation of 60 more saplings in various schools across the city. The main objective of this drive was to make people aware about the importance and benefits of afforestation. TFS also wanted to spread the word that saplings can be a perfect gift for any occasion.
In a recent interview, the DFO Guwahati Social Forestry, Jayanta Deka expressed concern over the fact that most of the saplings distributed in such drives are not planted afterwards. Recipients lost a large share of saplings due to lack of plantation space or negligence. Hence, they attempted to ensure zero wastage of saplings. The team briefed the recipients on how to plant and nurture these saplings .Read more here.
During the last season of flood in 2019, TFS provided relief to quite a number of affected areas in Assam including, Morigaon, Tihu, Nalbari, Jorhat etc. During their mission they went to the remotest places possible. TFS also aims to provide relief to the affected people, promote zero use of plastic and sustainable development.
In near future TFS is planning to generate self sufficiency and promoting local food and handicrafts at the same time. They are also working towards the promotion of traditional organic food.
Here are a few tips for World Environment Day from the Discover East Team.
