GUWAHATI: In a remarkable feat of environmental consciousness and community involvement, the Assam government proudly received nine Guinness World Records certificates on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accepted the certificates from Guinness World Records Adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar in recognition of the state’s extraordinary efforts.
Under the “Amrit Brikshya Andolan”, a staggering 1,11,17,781 seedlings of commercially valuable tree species were planted across Assam on a single day, September 17.
The initiative embraced the “jan bhagidaari” (community involvement) model, fostering collaboration among self-help groups, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, educational institutions, police personnel, tea garden workers, government officials, and citizens.
Chief Minister Sarma, highlighting the success of the initiative, credited the synergy between citizens and government functionaries.
“Amrit Brikshya Andolan has been successful only because of jan bhagidari. The collective efforts of both citizens and government functionaries have transformed the impossible to possible,” Sarma told the press.
The Guinness World Records spanned various categories, showcasing the scale and innovation of Assam’s tree planting drive –
- Longest line of potted saplings: Kamrup East Forest Division set a record with a 22.22 km long line of 3,22,444 poly potted saplings arranged in a spiral form at Veterinary College Field in Guwahati.
- Largest number of saplings distributed at one venue in 24 hours: A record was achieved when 3,22,444 seedlings arranged in a spiral form were distributed at Veterinary College Field.
- Most trees planted by a team in 24 hours: 9,21,730 saplings were successfully planted in 100 hectares of degraded forest land in Bhairabkunda Reserve Forests of Udalguri district.
- Most trees planted by a team in 1 hr: A team of 8,900 persons planted 3,31,929 saplings in one hour.
- Largest potted saplings mosaic: Digboi Forest Division in Tinsukia district created a mosaic in 8,563.01 sq metres depicting the map of Assam and a rhinoceros using 6,32,000 saplings.
- Record for quick plantation: In Sivasagar district, 1,229 girl students planted 1,229 agar seedlings simultaneously in just 58 seconds.
- Online lesson on environmental conservation: Principal Chief Conservator of Forests delivered a lesson on Environmental Conservation and Sustainability viewed by 70,490 persons and over 10 lakh people later.
- Photographs uploaded online: A record was made with 71,82,358 photographs of people planting trees uploaded online on the Amrit Brikhya Andolan portal.
- Most pledges received for environmental sustainability: A total of 47,28,898 online pledges were taken to plant trees and protect them.
Moreover, the government plans to plant three crore and five crore saplings in 2024 and 2025, respectively, and intends to create another record by staging the Bihu dance in New Delhi in 2025 with the participation of 25,000 dancers.
