Major Achivements  of Eco-Conservation,Tourism, Sericulture as per vision document, Bongaigaon 2001-2002

a.Afforestation & Eco-restoration:

The vision document of Bongaigaon District had envisaged to take up certain afforestation and eco-restoration activities for asset creation and improving the environment within the district. Accordingly four projects were selected for implenmtation under the supervision of two District Afforestation & Eco-restoration Committees constituted for the purpose.Entire allocation of funds have been made out of the funds earmarked under EAS 2001-2002 stream.

1. Development of Jogighopa Historical Site and Beach
2. Development of Bamungaon Eco-Tourism  Project
3. Development of Tamranga Vihanga Vihaar
4. Development of Bagheswari Temple Hill Site

1.Development of Jogighopa Historical Site and Beach Phase -I:

Five historical caves located near the banks of the Brahmaputra near Naranarayan Bridge is a protected site under Archaeological Survey of India.The Eco-Restoration Project has been intended for implementation due to its historical importance and quiet natural beauty. Every year thousands of visitors pay visit to this historical site specially on th e day of Ashoka Astami. Further, afforestation along the bank of river Brahmaputra has been undertaken with an aim to conserve land mass from erosion.Under first phase of the project a Nursery of 0.5 Ha, planting of Casurina Equestifolia and under species(5 Ha), construction of iron and stone mesh for raising flower beds (10 No.), 3 water tanks and layout of garden has been completed. Total outlay of first phase of the project is Rs. 3,01,989/- which has been completed during 2002-2003 and site is being maintained during 2003-04.

2. Development of Bamungaon as Eco-Conservation and Tourism Site Phase -I

A site of natural perrenial stream in Bamangaon Reserve Forest under Abhayapuri Forest Range was selected to take up afforestation and beautification works in the Phase -I (April'02 to Feb'03). A 0.5 ha of Nursery has been raised, afforestation of 20 Ha plantation constructions of stop dam and natures trail has been completed. The total outlay of the first phase of the project is Rs. 6,46,800/-, which has been completed. Bamungaon JFMC has been handed over the responsibility of collection of entry fee and maintenance. The committee has collected more than Rs. 10,000/- during 2002-2003 from different sources.

3.Development of Tamranga Vihang Vihaar. Phase -I:

Tamranga a natural lake under Boitamari Block of N.Salmara Sub-Division is a beautifull location and destination of migratory birds during winters. fed by the floodwater of the Brahmaputra, it is a combination of two lakes Tamranga(larger lake) and Kanara(smaller lake). In the phase-I, Kanara is being developed. The works completed include raising of 1 Ha nursery, planting of 350 single plants, the layout of the garden on the banks of the lake and repairing of abandoned fisheries building as Tourist Rest House. Total outlay of Phase-I was of Rs. 5,18,090/-, which has been achived during 2002-03 and now the site is being handed over to the local Joint Forest Managament Committee.

4.Development of Bagheswari Temple Hill Site. Phase- I:

Bageswari Temple on the top of in the middle of Bongaigaon town  is proposed to be developed as afforested hillock with a garden and a small artificial lake fed by a perennial stream This would improve the water catchment area of the town and the surrounding environment.The Bhageswari Hill houses acients Shiva temple inside a stone cave flanked either side by another 2 temples mainly temple of Bhageswari and Baba Tarak Nath. Every year 15 to 20 thousand devotees visit to the Bhageswari hill top.In order to develop this beutiful site into a viable Eco-Tourism and recreational spot, the following schemes were taken up and implemented during 2001-2003(31st March'2003).Entire allocation for implementing the project has been made out of funds from EAS 2001-2002 stream.

Sub Components of Schmes	Financial allocation	Physical and financial achivement
Aforestation	0.670 Lakh	100 %
Park and Garden	1.067 Lakh	100 %
Stop Dam	0.750 Lakh	100 %
Road leading to the Temple and adjacent park(500 mtrs)	5.00 Lakhs	100 %

b. Joint Forest Management Committees:

1. 64 J.F.M. Committees have been formed in the division, protecting approximately 2243 Ha of forest.

2. 6 JFMC's under E.A. Scheme of DRDA, have raised 6 peoples Nurseries of 0.5 Ha each and 97.5 Ha of plantations during 2002-03. Approximately 270000 seedlings have been raised in these  nurseries, which would sufficient to create 270 Ha of plantations. Half of these seedlings are being sold by the respective JFMCs to generate fund for maintenance of these nurseries and others village development works.

3. Encouraged by the progress made by these JFMCs, 3 more JFMCs are alloted funds under the E.A. Scheme of DRDA, which are in the process or raising nurseries and plantations during 2003-04.

4. 6 JFMCs under Manas Range have created 30 Ha RDF plantation, 5 Ha by each committee, during 2002-03, funded by state sector plan scheme.

5. 3 others JFMCs have created 5 Ha of bamboo plantation each funded by Central Sector Scheme, during 2002-03.

C.Birjhora Herbal Garden cum Orchidorioum and Butterfly rearing House:

The Project was taken up under EAS, 2001-2002 with an estimated cost of Rs. 7,79,500.00 with the objective to uplift Birjhora Science College to a prime centre of Research and Training and to create awareness for preservation and Economic use of Bio Diversity covering the following components a)  One Medicinal Herbal Garden. b)  An Orchidarium. c)  A Butterfly rearing house. d)  A Mushroom Cultivation cum Demonstration Center. e)  Patchouli Cultivation. f)  One Ornamental Flower Garden with a Patch of Fern. g)  Necessary facilities such as Nursery, Boundary wall, Water supply, Internal path, Garden implements etc..  Traditional medicinal plant have been collected and cultivated.  Butterfly

Rearing (variety)  Centre has already been constructed and successfully habitated.  Orchidorium house along with Mushroom demonstration centre have already been constructed and put to use.

D) Achivement in Sericulture Sector, 2001- 2002.

2.Extension of Mulberry Plantation: Introducing of Som plantation along with raising of Som and Mulberry Nursery at North Boitamari (Dewangaon) C.M.G. :- 1.5 hect. of Som plantation is completed along with 40000 nos of S1 and M5 variety of Mulberry Nursery in the C.M.G. 15 hect. Mulberry plantation (S1 & M5 variety) and 40000 nos of som Seeding Nursery is created in the North Boitamari CMG .

3.Creation of Mulberry Nursery at Khagarpur CMG: 40000 nos of S1 & M5 variety of Mulberry sapling Nursery has been created at Khagarpur CMG and distribution of seedlings to beneficiaries is continuing.

4.Creation of  Kesseru Nursery at Ulubari ECC : 30000 nos of Kesseru Seeding Nursery has been raised at Ulubari Eri Concentration Centre.

5.Creation of  Kesseru Nursery at Ballamguri ECC: 30000 nos of Kesseru Nursery has been raised at Ballamguri Eri Concentration Centreand distribution to rearers are going on.

6.Group Plantation and Creation of Mulberry Garden for Unemployed : 18 bighas of land has been covered by high yeilding variety of Mulberry Plants under group plantation scheme by unemployed youths as a source of their livelihood at Jelkajhar.

The different schemes as mentioned above is meant for rearers of Bongaigaon district which will directly cover more than 500 nos of Eri/Muga and Mulberry rearers for seeding and sapling distribution and engage a good numbers of local rearers who will undertake Eri/Muga and Mulberry rearing, utilising the silkworm food plants of the centres and is expected to reduce the poverty among the poor people.

E)BLOOD BANK: The Blood Bank attached to Bongaigaon Rural Hospital (CHC) is a long felt need of the district.

Emergency medical care to save lives require blood transfusion very often. Large number of surgical, obstetics and accident cases are treated in different govt. and private medical institutions daily. Life saving emergency medical services are severly handicaped due to non availibility of blood transfusion facility. The requirment of transfusion of blood is estimated to be about 250 – 300 units per month.

DRDA, Bongaigaon has taken up a project to construct a blood bank attached to Bongaigaon CHC at an estimated cost of Rs. 4.5 Lakhs.. The Blood Bank building has already been constructed as per specification given by Govt. of India with provisions for separate rooms for blood collection, donor’s examination, laboratory, refreshment, storage, record room and a laboratory .