Assam, NHAI ink pact for increasing green cover

Guwahati: An MoU was signed between the environment and forest department and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) here on Saturday to increase the forest cover along the national highways in the state by planting trees.
As per the MoU, four divisions — Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Nagaon and Barpeta — will be covered in the first phase.
The department’s social forestry division will execute the plan of planting trees on both sides of national highways and dividers and monitor the growth of the saplings as per the MoU.
Increasing forest cover in the state, minimising carbon footprint and presenting pleasant driving experiences to the drivers on the highways are some of the prime objectives of the MoU.
Urging both signatories of the MoU to work with dedication to achieve the target of green highways in the state, state forest minister Chandra Mohan Patowary hoped that the memorandum of understanding would boost the efforts in this regard and increase efficiency through this partnership.
He also asked the social forestry division to focus on planting native trees like Sonaru, Krishnachura, Bokul etc., which would grow well in Assam’s climate and make the highways beautiful and emphasised on the need to plant fast-growing trees to make the highways greener.