Senapati celebrates Vanamahotsav, saplings planted
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, July 02 2022:
The 73rd Vanamahotsav celebration organised by Senapati Forest Division in collaboration with district administration, CSOs, school and college, SKABU and Senapati Bar Association was held at Senapati Local Ground on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Conservator of Forests (T-I) L Joykumar Singh recounted that Vana Mahotsav began in 1950 under the initiative Dr KM Munshi, the then union minister for agriculture and food, under the slogan "forest means water, water means breathe, breathe means life" .
He said forest not only gives breath of life but also plays significant role in slowing down global warming, depleting ozone level and many others.
Explaining to the student participants about the importance of planting trees, Joykumar said carbon dioxide release due to various human activities is absorbed by trees which in turn secretes oxygen that we breathe.
He also reminded the gathering the significance of planting trees and the need of oxygen during the peak of Covid-19 pandemic.
Joykumar informed that the state government is targetting to plant 75 lakhs of tree saplings across the state.
He also advised the gathering to plant more trees and protect forest while reminding that protection of forest and wildlife is our fundamental duties.
He encouraged the students to celebrate festival of forest round the year and also advised each student to plant one tree sapling and care for it till it matures.
Delivering the welcome address, DFO D John Sha shared the importance of 73rd Van Mahotsav, the festival of forests which begins in the first week of July.
Stressing on the importance of trees and forests, Sha said without forest there will be scarcity of water and clean air, in addition to abetting soil erosion and global warming.
The 73rd Vanamahotsav celebration for Senapati was also held at Maram Naojai in collaboration with Northern Maram Students' Union under Senapati forest division, Dziidurei Tunggam (Paomata) in collaboration with Tunggam union and Hills Eco-ad-venture Tourism Manipur and Mao Karong and Oklong village.
Later, officials of forest department, DLOs, students, SKABU pastors and deacons, Senapati SP, MMA gold medallists Achevei and all the participants took part in the tree plantation drive in and around Senapati local ground.
Trees saplings were also planted at district court compound and Mave school compound.
The programme was also attended by district administration, Senapati SP, SDOs, DLOs, CSOs, SKABU pastors and church leaders, Mave School, St Anthony's school and Mt Pisgah College students.
Reigning Mr Northeast P Achevei, Rubaru Mr India 2022 finallist Banner Lanamai James, MMA gold medallists namely Michael Rovei, Shanchui Zimik and Besii Ariijii, NSF general secretary Siipuni Ng Philo, Poumai Students' Union, Mao Students' Union and Maram Students' Union and others also attended the event.