Assam takes up Green Coverage campaign

Tezpur (Assam), Jun 18 (PTI) The forest department of Assam has undertaken a massive programme for a Green Coverage campaign across the state, Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said here today.Inaugurating the first Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) campaign in the state, Hussain said Rs three crore would be spent for the Green Coverage campaign this year.Rs 10 lakh each would be provided to nurseries for growing saplings for afforestation in the state which has a forest cover of 37.33 per cent against the all India 33 per cent, he said.The minister assured the people living in the char (riverine) forest areas prior to December 13, 2005, that they would not be disturbed during eviction drives provided they preserve and and protect forest areas.However, they would not be provided with land settlement papers by the government.The minister also instructed forest department officials to immediately seal all illegal wood saw mills except those obtaining permission from the Gauhati High Court to operate.