By Debananda Medak

Guwahati: Assam BJP spokesperson Jayanta Kumar Das on Friday urged the youths of the state to plant white sandal to fight global warming. Das also hoped that planting of valuable species like white sandal and agar will unleash an alternative livelihood for the unemployed youths of the state.

Taking cognizance of the world environment day, which is being observed on the theme, ‘Time for Nature’, Das said, ‘We must contain industrial development induced global warming through a massive plantation.’

Das, who is also, the president of the Dispur Vikash Manch said, ‘To mark this year’s world environment day, we have launched a month-long plantation drive on June 5. The objective is to plant more than five thousand white sandal and agar saplings in and around the Dispur constituency. We will fill the vacant spaces of various temples, libraries and clubs. The full-grown trees will give  good financial earning to these institutions after ten years.’

The spokesperson also stressed that there is no alternative to hydropower projects to generate the required electricity and attain development. ‘We must intensify aforestation to compensate global warming induced by such mega-development projects,’ he said.

Das assured that the government of Assam has been working to mitigate the possible downstream impact repeatedly consulting with experts from different fields.

Highlighting the state government’s stance on the present controversy over Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, Das said, ‘Government is cent per cent committed and responsible for the conservation of the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary. The state government will never step up measures that can reduce the geographical space of the sanctuary. Our government has not done anything harmful to this global hotspot as is being rumoured by a section of people.’