IT News
Imphal, July 5:
The annual tree-planting festival, “Van Mahotsav,” observed nationwide across India, was celebrated in Thoubal today. The Van Mahotsav week, spanning from 1st to 7th July, aims to propagate awareness regarding forest conservation and environmental preservation.
Organized by the Thoubal Forest Division in conjunction with the Khongjom War Memorial Committee, the district-level celebration of the 75th Van Mahotsav was held at the Khongjom War Memorial Complex. The festival’s overarching objective is to venerate and cherish Mother Earth through tree planting, fostering an appreciation for nature’s splendor, and promoting the principles of reduction, reuse, and recycling.
During the event, Deputy Commissioner A. Subhash Singh, IAS, addressed the palpable shifts in climatic conditions and the deleterious effects of deforestation on the populace. Guest of Honour Rakesh Balwal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Thoubal, and Dr. Leishangthem Jeecelee, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Thoubal Forest Division, joined the Deputy Commissioner in spearheading the tree plantation initiative.
Participants included students, teachers, and non-teaching staff from various schools in Thoubal, alongside representatives from several governmental departments. The Van Mahotsav week serves as a reminder of the imperative to protect forests, curb deforestation, and adhere to the 3R rule—reduce, reuse, and recycle.
The Senapati Forest Division in collaboration with District Administration, Senapati celebrated the Seventy-fifth Van Mahotsav 2024 today under the theme “Plant a hope for the future” at Mini Secretariat, Senapati.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner of Senapati, Mamoni Doley, IAS, stated that Van Mahotsav celebration is celebrated to raise awareness on the importance of tree plantation.
Highlighting the various tree plantation activities taken up in the district she appealed the gathering in taking responsibilities to make sure that the planted trees grow properly. She lamented on the rampant tree cutting in the district has caused soil erosion and less soil absorption. She also appealed the village authorities to join hand together with district administration and take wise decision on deforestation.
In the welcome note, Shanngam S, IFS, DFO, Senapati said Van Mahotsav is celebrated across the countrywide on the first week of July to commemorate the importance of forest as it sustained every living creature in various ways. He mentioned that the tree plantations will be carried out in various ranges of the district under the slogan “Ek Ped Maa Ka Naam: Plant4Mother”.
The District Administration of Bishnupur also organized the 75th Van Mahotsav 2024 under the theme “Plant for Mother” with mass tree plantation. The event took place at Sangai Ethnic Park, Moirang Khunou, under the supervision of Bishnupur Forest Division.
Key officials present included DC Bishnupur Lourembam Bikram IAS, ADM Bishnupur Hanjabam Bobby Sharma, DFO Bishnupur Waikhom Romabai IFS, SP Bishnupur Kshetrimayum Ravikumar, Executive Engineer Rambo Puyam from PHED Bishnupur, CMO Bishnupur Dr. Laishram Raichandra, ZEO Bishnupur Nongthombam Chingkhei, DSWO Nongmeikapam Jotish, Addl SP (Ops) Lamabam Amarjit, RFO Moirang Hidangmayum Geetchandra, DFO Bishnupur HQ RK Sadananda, DFO Mutum Nilamani, SDO Bishnupur Rishikanta Loitongbam, BDO Nambol Tongbram Shyamkumar, and SDC Nambol Thoidingjam Shambhunath, among others.
Officials gathered at the Sangai Ethnic Park, Moirang Khunou campus plant a total of 40 different species of trees, aiming to enhance the green cover and mitigate climate change impact in Manipur. DC Lourembam Bikram highlighted the urgent need for collective efforts to combat the adverse effects of climate change, stressing the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable development for the well-being of present and future generations.