Dhubri: A green revival is quietly growing roots across Assam, where saplings are nurturing the future of sanchipat manuscript-making.Nearly two decades after Aranya Suraksha Samiti, Assam (ASSA) launched its campaign, the organisation continues to plant sanchi trees across Satras and Namghars. Thousands of seedlings have grown into mature trees, while others continue to grow at various Satras in Assam and Madhupur Dham in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, an ASSA source said.ASSA activists held a plantation drive at the historic Okoya Satra in Bajali district, planting saplings of Aquilaria malaccensis, traditionally used to make sanchipat manuscripts. Satra Management Committee secretary Mridul Sharma, social worker Dhiren Singh and several devotees attended the programme.ASSA secretary general Haricharan Das said many Satras still preserve valuable manuscripts written on sanchipat.“However, several of these manuscripts are gradually deteriorating and may need to be recopied in the future, for which sanchipat will be required; and to meet the needs of tomorrow, we are planting seedlings, many of which have already grown into trees,” Das added.Das said ASSA also planted saplings at Madhupur and Haripur Satras in West Bengal.Since 2009, the campaign has covered Satras, Namghars, educational institutions and religious establishments across Assam and West Bengal. These include Madhupur and Haripur Satras in Cooch Behar; the Srimanta Sankaradeva University campus and Bilasipara College; Ramraikutir, Pukhuripara, Bishnupur, Gharchia, Boitamari, Barpeta, Barpeta Road, Tongra, Dakshinpat and Gelabil Satras; Harlotari, Barshi, Brahmatol, Udamari, Bhairabganj and Shantipur Namghars; Bakultal, Pachnoi, Rangia College, Dipteswari Devalaya, and the Sankardev Shishu and Vidya Niketans at Bongaigaon and Golakganj.The Indian Ethno Library Society has supported the mission. At Madhupur Satra, it has also helped launch the process of removing bark from the agar trees planted by ASSA and preparing sanchi leaves for traditional manuscript-making.
