Van Mahotsav plantation drive continues across Tengnoupal, Chandel
Source: The Sangai Express / DIO

Tengnoupal/Chandel, July 02 2026: The week-long celebration of Van Mahotsav 2026 continued across Tengnoupal and Chandel districts on Thursday with large-scale tree plantation drives aimed at promoting environmental conservation and increasing green cover.

In Tengnoupal district, the second day's plantation programme was held at Thamlai village under the Machi Range of the Tengnoupal Forest Division.

The drive witnessed enthusiastic participation from local residents, village authorities, women's groups, forest officials and students of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Avashiya Vidyalaya, Heinoukhong.

The programme was attended by Divisional Forest Officer Mahamuda Begum and Headmaster of SCBAV School, Heinoukhong, S Koshilning Dangshawa Maring.

The Tengnoupal Forest Division has set a target of planting over 1.10 lakh saplings across the district during the Van Mahotsav celebrations.

Meanwhile, the Chandel Forest Division continued the second day of the 77th Van Mahotsav with mass plantation drives at Purum Chumbang, Ziontlang and Chandolpokpi villages, where around 1,550 saplings were planted.

At Purum Village alone, nearly 120 villagers participated in the programme, including Village Chief Khiang Donhra Chothe, forest officials led by DFO Dr N Munal Meitei and DFO (Chandel) N Deepa, village authorities and students.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Munal Meitei said the Chandel Forest Division has set a target of planting 1.10 lakh saplings as part of the State's larger goal of planting 15 lakh saplings during the, week-long observance.

The plantation campaign will cover 32 villages across the district, including those under Chakpikarong, Khengjoy and Chandel subdivisions.

Emphasising the importance of tree care, he said planting saplings is only the beginning, while ensuring their survival and growth is the real challenge.

To encourage community participation in conservation, he announced that the Forest Department will award a special cash prize of Rs 10,000 to the village that records the highest survival of planted saplings.

Dr Munal noted that the initiative is intended not merely as a monetary incentive but as a means to motivate villages and recognise their contribution towards environmental conservation and sustainable forest management.

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