Kolkata, Aug 8 (IANS) The efforts by the 134 Ecological Task Force (ETF) of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command were lauded by the Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Saturday.
The Minister visited the ETF’s headquarters in the Sonitpur district of the state and acknowledged the afforestation, eco-restoration and soil-water conservation initiatives taken by the force.
“Assam Minister of Environment and Forest (Jayanta Mallabaruah) along with senior dignitaries, visited 134 Ecological Task Force. The Minister acknowledged the afforestation, eco-restoration and soil-water conservation initiatives at Chattai Hill and appreciated the 134 Ecological Task Force efforts towards restoring degraded forests and enhancing Assam green cover,” the Indian Army said on social media platform X.
The Minister also participated in a ceremonial tree plantation, reaffirming the collective commitment towards eco-restoration and biodiversity conservation, it added.
The ETF is a Territorial Army Infantry Battalion and is specialised in the conservation of the environment.
It undertook a plantation drive in the remote Chattai Hills, resulting in restoration of green cover.
Based at Tezpur in Assam, its primary roles include fighting deforestation, restoring degraded landscapes, and revitalising wildlife corridors in Northeastern India.
It also protects elephant and wildlife corridors, and preserves local biodiversity.
The ETF routinely plants thousands of native and fruit-bearing saplings in collaboration with local communities, school children, regional NGOs, and environmental groups like the Balinara Foundation.
It recently planted thousands of saplings across critical zones like the Nameri Tiger Reserve and Sonitpur-Biswanath areas.
Its teams strive to transform wastelands into biodiverse green belts and agroforests that contribute to environmental conservation, soil health, and long-term ecological sustainability.
They get entire communities engaged in their efforts and monitor the projects for years.
Their collective involvement not only reflects a strong commitment to community-led conservation and sustainable development, but also collaboration between locals and men in uniform.
–IANS
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