The week-long Van Mahotsav 2026 plantation campaign gathered momentum across Thoubal, Tengnoupal and Chandel districts on Saturday, with the Forest Department carrying out extensive plantation drives, awareness programmes and community participation initiatives aimed at expanding the State’s green cover.
In Thoubal district, plantation drives were conducted at Tekcham, Tentha and Langmeithet under the supervision of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Thoubal Forest Division, Dr. Leishangthem Jeeceelee (IFS). The programme at Tekcham was organised in collaboration with Tekcham Lamjingba Naharol Club and led by Thoubal Range Officer Dineshchandra Salam, Mayaikeithel Beat Officer Lourembam Samananda and Wildlife Warden Waikhon Ramchandra. More than 1,000 saplings were planted across the three locations with the participation of around 150 volunteers, including students and local residents.
In Tengnoupal district, the Forest Division reported that 58,900 saplings have already been planted since the launch of the week-long campaign on July 1 against a target of 1.10 lakh saplings. A plantation drive was held at Saivom Village under the leadership of Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Mahamuda Begum (IFS), with the participation of village authorities, women’s groups, students, Forest Department officials and local organisations.
Plantation activities have also been carried out at several locations, including Maojang, D. Zalenbung, Tengnoupal Headquarters, Sita, Aimol, Laiching, Khangsim, Angbrasu, Khoibu, Thamlai and Heinoukhong villages, as well as the camps of 3 Assam Rifles and 36 Assam Rifles. The division has also been distributing saplings free of cost to the public through its forest ranges to encourage household and community plantation. It further announced district-level incentive awards for individuals, village authorities, civil society organisations and institutions achieving high plantation survival rates, with the best performers to be nominated for State-level awards.
Meanwhile, in Chandel district, the Forest Department organised plantation drives and awareness programmes at multiple locations. The main event was held at St. Paul’s Higher Secondary School, Liwachning, where around 380 students participated in an environmental awareness programme followed by the plantation of about 550 saplings. Additional plantation drives were conducted at S.S. Mohring School, Damjol Khul, the 46 Assam Rifles camp at Serou and Sugunu, where students, security personnel, Meira Paibi members and Forest Department officials collectively planted more than 600 saplings.
Addressing the programme at Liwachning, DFO Chandel, Dr. N. Munal Meitei, said protecting forests is a shared responsibility and urged students to take an active role in conserving the environment. He also appealed to schools across the district to participate in the plantation campaign, noting that the department aims to plant 1.10 lakh saplings in Chandel district during this year’s Van Mahotsav.
As part of the nationwide Van Mahotsav celebrations, ENFOGAL, in collaboration with the Greenland Youth Society, organised a tree plantation and conservation awareness programme at Greenland in Ukhrul district under the theme “Plant a Tree for Pangolin.”
The programme was conducted under the project “Community-Led Conservation of the Chinese Pangolin in Ukhrul District,” with support from Green Hub and Royal Enfield. The initiative aimed to promote community participation in forest conservation while raising awareness about the protection of the endangered Chinese pangolin and its habitat.
Community members, youth volunteers and local stakeholders actively participated in the plantation drive and awareness sessions. Resource persons highlighted the ecological importance of the Chinese pangolin, the threats posed by habitat loss and illegal wildlife trafficking, and the vital role of local communities in conserving biodiversity.
Organisers said restoring forest ecosystems is essential for safeguarding endangered wildlife and noted that every tree planted contributes to creating healthier habitats and a more sustainable environment.
They appealed to the public to refrain from hunting endangered species, protect forest resources and actively support community-based conservation initiatives. The programme concluded with participants pledging to work collectively towards preserving Ukhrul’s forests and rich biodiversity.