“We have manpower but we don’t have authority of the land, hence we need to liaise with the village authority,” said Commanding Officer of 27 Assam Rifles, Col. Rippon Bora.
TFM Ukhrul Correspondent
With an aim to increase the survival rate of saplings, Somsai Battalion of 10 Sector Assam Rifles, Ukhrul organised a training cum demonstration on tree plantation at its headquarters at Somsai on Monday.
The programme was attended by Ukhrul Forest Division assistant conservator of forest Wungrin Malue as resource person. Additional DIG, Col. Dipankar Basu and officers from 27 Assam Rifles and 24 Assam Rifles attended the programme.
Speaking at the programme, Wungrin Malue dwells on natural and artificial regeneration of forest. He stated that “it is very important to determine the kind of species to be planted in the area. One needs to study the nature of soil, environment and weather. Local vegetation study should be done before taking any decision to take up plantation projects”.
“Soil erosion in the hill areas is one challenging factor in maintaining the saplings that have been planted. Spacing is also an important factor for the healthy growth of plants. A 3 metre spacing is favourable so that it does not disturb the growth of other trees. In Ukhrul, the best season is to plant in monsoon since watering the plant in large scale plantations is a detious job.
“After plantation is done, it is very important to take care of the sapling from fire and cattles for two or more years. In the campus of 27 AR, we can opt for fruit species or timber species, which can be harvested later on for future consumption or use.
“Forest covers should be increased for the sustenance of mankind on this earth. The initiatives of Assam Rifles is laudable, it is a great step in saving the future generation of the country”.
The Home Ministry of India has given a strict instruction to Central Armed Paramilitary Forces to plant trees on a large scale. “The 27 Assam Rifles have planted numerous saplings in 2020 in Ukhrul. However, the survival rate of the sapling was very low. Therefore, in order to increase the survival rate of sapling, the Somsai Battalion of 10 Sector Assam Rifles have organised such a programme” stated Commanding Officer of 27 Assam Rifles, Col. Rippon Bora.
Col. Rippon Bora informed this correspondent that their battalion has planted 14,600 saplings till date and they target to plant 47,000 saplings. Because of the pandemic and lockdown, we cannot go to the village to take up this project. Once the situation subsides, we would liaise with the village authority and engage intensively with the project. We have manpower but we don’t have authority of the land, hence we need to liaise with the village authority, he added.
Staff of Ukhrul Forest Division demonstrated the basic know-how of planting trees to the rank and files of Assam Rifles.