Guwahati :  Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday urged the people of the State to plant one crore trees on October 2, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of the Amrit Plantation Programme’ at Kamrup, CM Sarma said, “On 2nd October on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, the state government is mulling to plant 1 crore saplings starting at 9 AM till 11 AM.”

The plantation will lead to a 38 percent increase in forest cover by the year 2028, Sarma said. Individuals will get Rs 100 as a reward against each tree plantation and after two years if the tree survives they will again receive Rs 200.

To create a forest-centric parallel economy, the state government has taken steps to encourage the plantation of commercial timber like sal, teak etc.