Assam forest department announced to plant 1.25 crore saplings over 6800 hectare of degraded forest areas across the state this year.

On the occasion of Van Mahotsav(Forest Festival) here on Friday, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal advocated synergy between the government and the people to increase green cover in the state.

Sonowal called upon everybody to work on a mission mode to plant saplings and increase green cover.

"Celebrations of Van Mahotsav give us an opportunity to lend our hands in plantations and increase our green cover. We need to take the celebrations to every nook and corner of Assam," Sonowal said.

Expressing concern over rhino poaching, the chief minister said all sections of society should come forward to save the state animal.

Forest minister Pramila Rani Brahma said the government will raise a special Rhino Protection Force in for the protection of rhinos.

Source- The Times of India