GUWAHATI, April 4— Assam now has four state symbols. The State Cabinet recently approved the rhino as the ‘State animal’ the white-winged Wood Duck as the ‘State bird’, the fox-tail orchid as the ‘State flower’ and the hollong as the ‘State tree’. The symbols reflect the State’s rich flora and fauna, its culture and heritage, Assam Minister of State (Independent) for Forests Pradyut Bordoloi announced here today. Bordoloi, who was addressing presspersons at the Janata Bhavan, said that every State in the country has been adopting its symbol having their state animal, bird, flower and tree. Assam has done it now. The symbols have been chosen after consultations with institutions and experts, he said.
The State animal, Rhino, has been brought back from the brink of extinction and is now thriving in Assam. Its population has risen from merely a dozen to over 2000 now, Bordoloi informed. “The rhino is our USP (unique selling point),” he said. Successful conservation of rhinos is a gift to the world by the people of Assam. The rhinos have projected Assam as a World Heritage Site, a Biosphere Reserve and an unmatched tourist destination.
The State bird, the white-winged wood duck (deo hans) is a rare resident bird of the State. It is a serene and shy bird that thrives mainly in the tropical wet evergreen rain forests. Due to shrinkage of its habitat, the species is endangered. Bordoloi said that conservation measures will now be taken up especially for it. The largest numbers of this species is in Assam. The State flower is the fox-tail orchid (kopow) which is intricately interwoven with the cultural fabric of Assam. The flowering of kopow heralds the onset of ‘Bohag’ and triggers fervent festivity. A catkin of kopow in the hair band of a Bihu dancer during Bohag Bihu is perhaps the purest sight of beauty. The serene white flowers, with a hint of magenta, inspire enthusiasm and symbolise hope.
Hollong, the State tree, is the main species that form the rain forests of Assam. Assam’s recognition as a mega biodiversity zone owes largely to this species. The tall and majestic hollong dominate Assam’s forests as the principal species. It attains awesome heights of up to 150 feet. Hollong has contributed immensely to the building up of Assam since ancient times. This is due to the versatility of its wood and its suitability for domestic uses. The Forest Minister said that efforts will be undertaken to try and make kopow bloom through the year by encouraging genetic engineerng. “It is not an impossible dream,” he said. As far as hollong is concerned, Bordoloi said that the species is thriving in the State’s forests. The kopow, meanwhile, is in great demand in Singapore, Japan, etc, he informed.
Bordoloi said that the Forest Department will launch a special mission from April to September to green the degraded lands in the reserved forest areas of the State. Most of such land have already been recovered from encroachers, he said. The intensified greening programme will begin on April 25, he said. Any interested institution or individual can take saplings from the state nurseries, the capacities of which are also being expanded, the Minister informed.
Bordoloi said that special focus is being given to Guwahati. All its surrounding hills will be taken up for afforestation. A meeting was held last Wednesday with representatives of NGOs, the police, district administration and civic agencies. Afforestation drives will be carried out outside the reserved forest areas, also he stated. A special cell, under CCF (Territorial) BK Bishnoi has been created for Guwahati. A target, to plant a million saplings in Guwahati, has been set. Concentration will be given to fastgrowing species. The Minister sought the help of the corporate and private sector to protect the newly planted saplings.
The Forest Minister said that there has been a paradigm shift in his Department with emphasis being given on creating income and employment avenues through the forest sector. He said that merely declaring protected areas will not help save the forests. What is needed, he felt, is scientific forest management which will also fulfil the needs of the people while preserving the green cover. Bordoloi also informed that a deer park at the Amsing reserved forest, on the outskirts of Guwahati, is being mooted. The project is still in the planning stage, he said.