Dhubri, Sept. 27: Around 10,000 neem saplings will be planted in Dhubri to transform this small and historical town into a Neem Nagari in a year through an initiative by Pannalal Oswal Memorial Committee, an NGO.

On the 12th death anniversary of Oswal last Friday, Dhubri deputy commissioner Sunil Dutta and superintendent of police Pradip Chandra Saloi launched the green drive by planting neem saplings on the premises of Dhubri Lion’s Club Service Centre.

NGO president Girindra Nath Goswami told The Telegraph that not only neem plantation but the committee had prepared a project dedicated to save the environment from further destruction.

“We have donated five wall magazine boards for schools, Prakritir Pratidwani, to encourage participation of students through write-ups and drawings on nature. This will help form a big team of students and teachers who will take forward this mission of neem plantation under the guidance of Dhruba Mahato, a trained neem planter.”

Goswami said a nature-based bulletin — Prakritir Pratidwani — was also brought out this year, which would be published on a quarterly basis with selected articles on problems and issues related to the environment.

“However, now, only an initiative will not yield any meaningful fruit as turbulent natural happenings around the world are ringing alarm bells. These are reminding us to be cautious and take corrective measures to control the damages done to the environment,” the DC said.

Dhubri superintendent of police Pradip Chandra Saloi echoed Dutta and made a fervent appeal to the young generation to come forward with zeal to protect and preserve the environment.

“I am aware of Oswal’s innovative works and his contributions as a social worker. I appeal to the members of the memorial committee and all the participants as well to be vigilant against destruction being caused to the nature and take protective steps to stop its further deterioration,” Saloi said.

The secretary general of the NGO, Bimal Oswal, said they had already raised over 5,000 neem saplings in the nursery and have started planting them after the Friday launch of the scheme.

“We will raise another 5,000 saplings in the next four months and complete the plantation by September 23 next year. Plantation will be carried out in residential open spaces, office compounds, educational and religious institutions’ premises,” Oswal said.

Dhruba Mahato, a trained neem planter and in-charge of the project, said he had an efficient team to monitor and guide the project.

“Devendra Nath Sarma, Sankardev Sishu Niketan Bidyalay principal Nripendra Nath Das, Bholanath College professors Anubrata Chakraborty and Santanu Sarma are contributing to this mission and I hope together we can make it a success,” Mahato said