73rd Vanmahotsav Celebration 2022 continues
Source: The Sangai Express / DIO

Imphal/Pherzawl/Thoubal, July 05 2022: The 73rd Vanmahotsav Celebration 2022 continued today at Thanlon village with the participation of BRTF officials, police personnel, school authorities and students of St Xavier High School and Convention English School, village authority and villagers.

During the event, Th Autumn, DFO Pherzawl, highlighted the brief history of 'Vanamahotsav', also known as 'Forest Festival', celebrated during 1st -7th July every year and the importance of mass tree plantation.

He apprised the notable conservation works of Bishnoi community of Rajasthan and the legendary story of Amrita Devi Bishnoi, where 363 people sacrifice their lives in protest against the cutting down of Khejri trees in the year 1730 .

73rd Vanmahotsav Celebration 2022 continues

Quoting lines from Amrita Devi Bishnoi, Th Autumn said "If a tree is saved even at the cost of one's head, it's worth it" .

Pherzawl Forest Division has invited all Government employees, NGOs and villagers of the district to actively participate in mass tree plantation programme during this week-long Vanamahotsav celebration.

Similar mass tree plantation drives will be held at Parbung on July 7 .

It may be noted that the 73rd Van Mahotsav Celebration 2022 was kickstarted on July 1 by Th Autumn at Pherzawl and Damdei village with a mass tree plantation drive.

Separately, the 73rd Vanmahotsav celebration 2022 was also held at Leirongthel Malom and Ningel Kamyai under Thoubal district with the continuation of the three-day tree plantation drive organised by Joint Co-ordination Committee on Wildlife & Biodiversity (JCCWB), Manipur.

On the last day of the drive, around 500 tree saplings were planted by members of JCCWB aided by other enthusiastic citizens.

Many individuals, including the citizens of Leirongthel Ningel Gram Panchayat, OC of Nongpok Sekmai Police Station, LPYC Club, volunteers of CLKL Yairipok and Ambika Laishram who is spearheading the Go Clean Go Green & Tree Plantation campaign.

A simple function was also organised to mark the closing of the tree plantation drive.

During the event, JCCWB conferred Ambika Laishram with the title of 'Green Warrior" with a recognition certification.

69 Battalion of CRPF also joined in continuing the 73rd Van Mahotsav Celebration 2022 by organising a mass tree plantation at Battalion HQ Mantripukhri, Imphal.

The effort was spearheaded by Sh Bajrang Lal, Commandant-69 Bn and approximately 800 saplings were planted by the Officers, SOs and men of the unit.

It may be noted that the mass tree plantation drive was carried out using the 'Miyawaki Method' which creates sustainable forest in a small area, a statement has informed.