Van Mahotsav celebrated in Bishnupur, Kamjong
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Bishnupur/Ukhrul, July 07 2024: As celebrated across India, the week-long "Festival of Forests" Van Mahotsav was also celebrated in Bishnupur district accompanied by tree plantation drives and a painting competition.

The 75th Van Mahotsav celebration was held at Sandhong Upper Primary School, Kumbi under the theme "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" where 40 tree saplings were planted and a painting competition was also conducted.

The celebration was jointly organised by Sandhong Upper Primary School, Kumbi, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun and Bishnupur Forest Division.

Dignitaries present at the event include Khangembam Indrakumar (National Teacher Awardee), Headmaster Sandhong Upper Primary School; Dr Mirza Ghazanfarullah, Project Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India; Honorary Wildlife Warden Bishnupur Kumam Jugeshore, former Principal of Kumbi College and Oinam Iboyaima, Keibul Lamjao National Park.

Van Mahotsav celebrated in Bishnupur, Kamjong

A hundred students from Sandhong Upper Primary School and Samballei Sekpil School Kumbi from Class III to VIII participated in the painting competition held on the theme "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" .

Prizes were also distributed to the winners.

Additionally, saplings of fruit bearing trees as well as trees beneficial to the environment were planted at Keinou Thongkha in Bishnupur as a part of 75th Van Mahotsav celebration.

The tree plantation drive was organised by Keinou Thongkha Youth Club (KYC) in association with local clubs and meira paibi groups of Keinou Thongkha under the supervision of Bishnupur Forest Division.

Led by RO Bishnupur Nilamani, representatives of KYC, K-TWO, KDC, KYDO and Apunba Meira Paibi Lup Keinou Thongkha participated in the drive.

Similarly, staff of RO Moirang in collaboration with Rural Advancement Organisation, Phubala planted around 100 tree saplings along the stretch from Phubala to Naranseina and from Phubala to Thinungei.

Dignitaries, namely, SDO Thoubal Ch Somorendro, RO Moirang Geetchandra, Y Somananda, secretary, Rural Advancement Organisation Phubala and RO Moirang staff participated in the tree plantation drive.

Yesterday, VDF personnel also planted tree saplings in the vicinity of VDF Post, Phubala on the occasion of Van Mahotsav celebration.

Lastly, Nehru Yuva Kendra Bishnupur, District Youth Affairs & Sports Bishnupur and Network of Economy and Welfare Services (NEWS) Kumbi planted around 150 tree saplings in the surrounding area of Kumbi Pukhri Achouba.

Meanwhile, Kamjong DFO Napoleon Rongmei kicked off the week-long Van Mahotsav celebration at Shingcha village for Kamjong district on Saturday.

Speaking at the inaugural function, DFO Rongmei reiterated the main objective of the nationwide plantation drive which is to combat extreme climate change and prevent natural disasters of flood and drought in order to have meaningful life for all.

Dwelling on the theme "He who plant a tree plants hope", he urged all villagers to participate in the mass plantation drive carried out by the Forest Department.

According to the DFO, the department has a target of planting thousands of trees in the weeklong celebration of Van Mahotsav 2024 in Kamjong district.

Notably, DFO Napoleon Rongmei planted a Cherry tree at Wuya Kaphung, Shingcha to kick off the plantation drive for Kamjong district in the presence of Wungnaothan Zingsho, president Zingsho Student Organization, RO Worthem Molthou and leaders of the village area.

Over 400 saplings were planted on the first day of the plantation drive.

In a separate programme, Van Mahotsav was also celebrated at K Somrei Village for Kasom Block and in Alang Village for Phungyar Block villages.

The weeklong plantation drive was organised by Kamjong Forest Division in collaboration with Zingsho Katamnao Long and Sambu Raiping Katamnao Long, Kamjong.