Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh attended the State-Level Green Finale of the 77th Van Mahotsav Celebration 2026 in convergence with Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0 at City Convention Centre, Imphal today.
Yumnam Khemchand Singh stated that, within a span of two weeks, the Forest Department, along with various departments of the Government of Manipur, security forces, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and students, actively participated in planting 15 lakh saplings across the State.
He stressed that the climatic conditions in the State have changed drastically due to deforestation. He added, the programme was organised to create awareness about the benefits of planting trees for future generations.
The Chief Minister also inspected various stalls, which showcased different forest produces and forest fire fighting equipments.
As part of the programme, Khemchand Singh performed the ceremonial watering of the commemorative sapling of “Uthambal” on the stage, where it will be transplanted to its designated site at the Churachand Higher Secondary School campus as the Chief Minister’s Commemorative Tree.
The programme organised by the Department of Forest, Government of Manipur was attended by Losii Dikho, Deputy Chief Minister, Manipur; Anuraj Bajpai, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of The Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF) Manipur; Arun Kumar Sinha, Principal Secretary, Forest & Environment and Climate Change; Prof. Sumitra Phanjoubam, Vice Chancellor Manipur University; Naorem Roshibina Devi, Arjuna Awardee; senior officials of the department; staff; teachers and students among others.
Also, Ukhrul Forest Division has brought laurels to the district by being awarded the prestigious Award under the category “Maximum Number of Saplings Plantation – Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (EPMKN) 3.0” during the State Level Green Finale of the 77th Van Mahotsav Celebration, 2026.
The award was presented by the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Losii Dikho along with other officials on the dais.
The award which recognizes the exceptional efforts of Ukhrul Forest Division, which successfully planted 4,31,493 saplings between 5th June and 14th July, 2026 under the nationwide campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0” was received by Laishram Gitla, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer(DFO), Ukrhul.
The Divisional Forest Officer, Ukhrul expressed gratitude to every stakeholder whose participation demonstrated that environmental conservation can only succeed through community ownership and partnership. The DFO further appeals to the citizens of Ukhrul to protect, nurture and ensure the survival of every seedling planted today. In the event of any casualties, she requests that community members undertake casualty replacement next year by collecting new seedlings from the Division.
She also mentioned that the remarkable achievement was made possible through the wholehearted participation of the District Administration Officers, Village Authorities, NGOs, CSOs, Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, educational institutions, churches, security forces, orphanages, youth organizations & Self Help Groups. Remarkable contribution in plantation comes from the Water Resource Conservation Groups (WRCGs) of 23 villages under the Community-Based Sustainable Forest Management for Water Resource Conservation in Manipur (COSFOM), making the campaign a true people’s movement.
The recognition today is expected to inspire greater public participation in future afforestation and environmental conservation programmes, further strengthening Ukhrul’s position as a leading district in community-driven forest conservation in Manipur, she added.