Schoolchildren plant saplings at Jarasal. File picture

July 22: Jarasal reserve forest under Rani range has set a new standard in conservation — not a single tree has being felled in the forest in the past three months.

“We criss-crossed the entire area during our last inspection and were not able to detect even one felled tree,” an official of Kamrup forest division said today.

According to him, this achievement is the result of strong protection and vigilant efforts undertaken by forest officials. “Strong vigil by officials and guards in the reserve forest is deterring illegal activities,” he said.

“We immediately rush to a spot whenever we are informed about the presence of woodcutters or smugglers in that area of the reserve,” he added.

The Jarasal reserve forest, which falls under Kamrup East division, is spread over 1,257 hectares.

“The area could be small, but this should not give miscreants scope to engage in illegal activities,” he added.

A massive combing operation has been launched in the reserve forests of the city to detect felling of trees and other illegal activities that miscreants may engage in during the monsoon.

The official also said the plantation drive launched by chief minister Tarun Gogoi “could have inspired the locals to make the area green.”

Gogoi had launched the Seuji Assam Achoni (green Assam scheme) in the forest areas by planting a sapling in Jarasal reserve forest on the outskirts of the city in May this year.

While launching the scheme, the chief minister had asked the forest department to plant and preserve fruit-bearing trees.

The official requested the residents to come forward to help the forest department to protect trees.

He called upon them to report any case of trees being felled in the reserve forest.

“We will openly support the public and provide them with every help to nab the culprits,” he added.

He said the department did not have the kind manpower required to patrol the range and depended on a limited number of personnel.