Van Mahotsav week observed across the State
Shyamkumar takes grim note of massive deforestation
Source: The Sangai Express

Ukhrul, July 04 2018: "Wanton felling of trees for our economic wants and other human activities have caused immense environmental degradation and impacted on the climate in many ways besides destroying the natural beauty of the land," said Forest Minister Th Shyamkumar today.

The Forest Minister said while kicking off the 69th State level celebration of Van Mahotsav at St Joseph's College, Alung, Ukhrul.

Most of our forest land has depleted and turned into sparse land posing an environmental threat, cautioned the Minister.

Expressing apprehension over the present scenario, Shyam Kumar called out to all to contribute their mite to preserve forest, water, rivers etc to ensure that the ecology is balanced and environmental pollution checked.

Van Mahotsav can be interpreted as Festival of Forest, said the Minister and assured that extensive awareness programme on forest conservation, protection of wild life and massive afforestation efforts will be taken across the State, assured the Forest Minister.

Later, the Minister released a book titled "Achievement of Forest Department- 2017-2018".He also assured to construct a guest house at Ukhrul adding mat Avocado saplings would be distributed from the Horticulture Department.

MLA Leishiyo Keishing who attended as the functional president of the festival dwelt on the ill effects of deforestation.

He said tribal or hill people are directly related to forest adding "our tradition, custom and culture all originated from forest." Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Kereilhouvi Angami who also attended the festival stressed on the need of conserving the forest and protecting wild life in order to ensure sustainable environment for the future generations.

UADC Chairman Dickson Kumrah also addressed the gathering.

Van Mahotsav week (July 1 to July 7), is mass tree plantation festival to revive lost forests and sustain environment.

Van Mahotsav implies festival of forests and was launched in the year 1950 by Kanhaiyalal M Munshi, the then Union Minister for Agriculture and Food.

Here are the highlights of the programmes in the State:
Bishnupur: Different CSOs, schools, clubs under the Divisional Forest officer Bishnupur have organised the Van Mahotsav and planted 10,000 saplings at 17 different places of the district.

Bishnupur district administration along with the Forest Department has celebrated the Van Mahotsav at Khoijuman Khullen, Oinam and Ngangkha Sabal, Moirang by planting tree saplings today.

MLA Oinam AC L Radhakishore Singh, MLA Moirang AC P Sharatchandra Singh, DC Bishnupur Pawan Yadav, ADM P Gojendro Singh, PCCF (Wildlife) and CWLW D JN Anand, SP Bishnupur Hopson Sapam, and DFO RK Amarjit Singh, DLOs, Panchayat, ward members, officials of Forest Department and Civil Society Organisations' leaders took part in the tree plantation drives.

The drives were conducted at Maibam village playground, Oinam Sanpham road, Irengbam Mamang Leikai, Sadu Chiru playground, Sadar Joute Playground, Maha Kabui playground, Keinou Thongthak Awang Leikai etc.

Churachandpur: In Churachandpur district Forest Department and many civil society organisations conducted several tree plantation drive at various places including Tribal Martyrs Park, Khuga Dam, S Molhoi village, Kangvai, HQs Veng, Monglian, Torbung and other places.
Imphal E/W: Unique Wildlife Protection Committee Manipur and Central Forest Division in association with PLYDA Club planted 250 saplings around the playground of the club at Phoubakchao Awang Leikai.

Every household of Thongam and Phoubakchao Awang Leikai vowed to water, take care and nurture the plants they planted daily.

The caretaker/ planter of the best plant in three years will be awarded prizes, said the organisers.

Tamenglong: Western Forest Division Tamenglong too organised the tree plantation festival in the district.

ADC Tamenglong Chairman Namsinrei Panmei inaugurated the Van Mahotsav by planting trees in Palong village.

Conservator of Forest Kh Brojendro, Range Officer Kh Hitler and S Khogen planted saplings with the villagers.

Tengnoupal: Tengnoupal Forest Division too planted a massive 2,500 saplings at Aimol Satu village.

Working Plan, research and Training Conservator of Forest Department Khaidem Shyam Singh, RFO Tengnoupal Hanjabam Imo Sharma, Chairman of Aimol Satu Village Authority S Korsolow, secretary SK Ruisothang and villagers took active part in the event.

Similar programmes were taken up at Aimol Tampak and Phalbung village.

Thoubal: Divisional Forest Office, Thoubal organised a mass tree plantation drive at Khongjom War Memorial Complex.

Wangjing-Tengtha AC MLA Paonam Brojen, Chief Conservator Forest Anurag Bajpai, Deputy Conservator Forest RK Amarjit, Deputy Commissioner Thoubal Haobam Rosita, ADM Thoubal L Radhakanta and SP Thoubal S Goutam took part in the plantation festival.

MLA P Brojen lauded the students for their helping hands in the successful conduction of the tree plantation.

The programme was also conducted at Kairembikhok village.

Meritorious students of Kairembikhok - 18 Class X students and 12 Class XII students who have excelled in the Class X and XII examinations were awarded at during the event.

Jiribam: Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Jiribam too celebrated the Van Mahotsav in the district.

Tree plantation drives were held at Jairolpokpi and Leingangpokpi areas of Jiribam where 10,000 saplings were planted.

H Brajamani Sharma, Chief Conservator of Forest, Government of Manipur, Divisional Forest Officer, Jiribam Ch Ibomcha Singh along with other officers of the department attended the event.

Students of New Life Academy as well as Indian Reserve Battalion (JJRB) personnel posted at Jiribam also attended the programme.

Kakching: Kakching/Thoubal Forest Division in association with Ideal Youth Association (IYA) Kakching Wairi Ward No 1 planted tree saplings along Kakching to Mantak road in line with Van Mahotsav.

Deputy Commissioner of Kakching Neilenthang Telen, Chief Conservator of Forest Anurag Bajpai, Director Manipur Zoological Garden Gaithaolu Thaimei, Range Forest Officer N Munal Meitei, Vice Chairperson of kakching Municipal Council Ksh Jhaljit, Councillors Mayanglambam Memcha Devi, M Uma Devi, P Sanahal Devi, Thangjam Ongbi Kananbala Devi, Sandam Premita Devi, Moirangthem Inakhunbi Devi, Ksh Radhamani Devi, president of Ideal Youth Association Moirangthem Brojen Singh and members of the club took part in the tree plantation.

The Van Mahotsav week was also observed at Grace Cottage Academy Kakching, Kakching Higher Secondary School, Irengband Primary School, Sugnu Higher Secondary School, Pangantabi High School, Police Outpost Wangoo Lamkhai, Wangoo Laipham Chingya Leikai Youth Club.

Kakching Khunou Athletic Organisation and Social Reformation Organisation Waikhong also observed the week at their respective jurisdictions.

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