Van Mahotsav 2026 launched across Manipur with massive plantation drives to promote green future
Source: The Sangai Express / DIOs

Spt/Non/Tpl/Ukl/Tbl/Ccpur/Cdl/Bpr, July 01 2026: The 77th Van Mahotsav, the annual Festival of Forests, was launched across several districts of Manipur on Wednesday with large-scale plantation drives, awareness programmes and community participation aimed at increasing green cover, conserving biodiversity and strengthening environmental protection.

The week-long celebration witnessed active involvement of Forest Departments, district administrations, security personnel, educational institutions, village authorities, students and local communities in various plantation activities.

SENAPATI

In Senapati, the Senapati Forest Division officially launched the Forest Festival at Karong Water Reservoir.

The inaugural plantation drive saw over 2,000 seedlings of native species including Taimareng, Tairen, Hollock and Mango planted across five hectares of degraded land surrounding the reservoir.

Chief Guest ML Kaisungbou, Additional Superintendent of Police (NH-2), Senapati, urged citizens to actively participate in forest conservation and water resource protection by dedicating at least one day every year towards planting trees.

Divisional Forest Officer Shanngam S highlighted the importance of Van Mahotsav, observed from July 1 to 7, in promoting afforestation and ecological balance.

He stated that forests play a crucial role in providing clean air, conserving water resources and sustaining biodiversity.

During the programme, Khabung Karong Youth and Students Organisation was honoured with a cash award for its contribution towards forest fire prevention.

Certificates of Appreciation were also awarded to Hills Academy of Science, MANEDA Orphanage and Compassion Children Ministry Orphanage for their support in environmental conservation activities.

The Forest Department announced a target of planting more than one lakh seedlings across Senapati district during the festival.

NONEY

In Noney, the 77th Van Mahotsav was launched with inaugural functions and plantation drives at Rhema Public Academy, Khumji and Longkhuibut Eco Park, Longmai-2 under the Noney Forest Division.

DFO D John Sha stressed the importance of planting trees to increase green cover, combat climate change and prevent deforestation.

The awareness programme and plantation drive at Longkhuibut Eco Park witnessed participation from students of Tazei Public Higher Secondary School, Longmai Nature Club, Biodiversity Management Committee, village authorities, teachers, women's societies and local residents.

TENGNOUPAL

Tengnoupal commenced Van Mahotsav with plantation drives at Maojang and Heingoukhong villages under Tengnoupal Forest Division.

Conducted under the aegis of Deputy Conservator of Forests Mahamuda Begum, the programme encouraged community participation in protecting and restoring forest ecosystems.

Indigenous tree species were planted during the drive, while free saplings were distributed to residents across Moreh, Tengnoupal and Machi ranges, encouraging households and communities to actively contribute to afforestation efforts.

UKHRUL

In Ukhrul, the Forest Division launched a district-wide ecological campaign with an ambitious target of planting 2.10 lakh saplings.

The initiative follows the momentum created under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, which added around 2.47 lakh seedlings in the district.

The flagship launch was held at Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Uppuluri Chaitanya, DFO Laishram Gitla, Superintendent of Police Abhinav and other officials, along with students and members of Tungrei Youth Organisation.

A parallel plantation and conservation drive was also conducted at Shokvao village under the COSFOM project, where officials inspected afforestation sites and installed a camera trap inside the Forest Closure Area for wildlife monitoring.

The technology will soon be expanded across all 23 COSFOM project villages.

Plantation activities were also carried out at Awang Kasom, Khalhang Khullen, Jessami Range and Wahong Village with participation from villagers, students and forest officials.

THOUBAL

The district-level 77th Van Mahotsav celebration was jointly organised by Thoubal Forest Division, Thoubal District Working Journalists' Union and North Eastern Environmental Protection Committee at Nongpok Ningthou Panthoibi Sanglen.

Chief Conservator of Forest Longjam Joykumar Singh, DFO Leishangthem Jeeceelee and other dignitaries participated in the plantation drive where 150 saplings, including fruit-bearing plants, were planted around NESU Ground, Nongpok Sekmai.

Speaking on the occasion, Longjam Joykumar Singh expressed concern over increasing temperature and changing rainfall patterns due to deforestation and urged collective efforts towards planting and protecting trees.

CHURACHANDPUR

In Churachandpur, the Forest Division launched a week-long Van Mahotsav at Saikot Community Hall under the theme "A Tree Today, A Thousand Smiles Tomorrow".

Deputy Commissioner Krishna Kumar and DFO Abhijith KV led the plantation drive, marking the beginning of district-wide activities.

The programme also included distribution of prizes, certificates and cash awards to winners of the District Level On-the-Spot Painting Competition held in connection with International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 .

CHANDEL

In Chandel, the festival was launched at the 8th Manipur Rifles Campus on the theme "Healing the Earth through Greener Initiatives".

Around 800.saplings were planted during the students, security personnel, public leaders and forest officials.

DFO Chandel Dr Munal Meitei informed that around 1.10 lakh saplings would be planted, in the district during the first week of July as part of the campaign and appealed for collective participation from all sections of society.

BISHNUPUR

In Bishnupur, the Forest Division launched the district-level Van Mahotsav at 2nd IRB Campus, Naranseina with a, target of planting around 55,000 saplings under the theme "A Tree Today, A Thousand Smiles Tomorrow".

MLA Moirang AC Thongam Shanti, while attending the programme, stressed that plantation alone was not enough and urged people to nurture and protect saplings to ensure their survival.

The event organised jointly by Bishnupur Forest Division, 2nd IRB Battalion and 8th Battalion CRPF, saw plantation drives at the campus and surrounding areas of Naranseina Low Canal.

The district-wide observance of Van Mahotsav 2026 reflects a collective commitment towards restoring forests, protecting natural resources and building a greener and climate resilient Manipur.

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