Forest can boost primary, secondary sector of economy: Bajpai
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 05 2025: The 76th Van Mahotsav 2025 celebration continued in various parts of the state on Saturday, marked by tree sapling plantation drives and other related programmes.

The Directorate pf Handloom and Textiles under the Department of Textiles, Commerce and Industry (TCI) joined hands with Forest Department for the celebration of Van Mahotsav 2025 at Nilakuthi Industrial Estate, Imphal.

The event was led by additional chief secretary (TCI) and principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) & head of forest force (HoFF) Anurag Bajpai and was attended by conservator of forests Sanajaoba Khuraijam, TCI director Y Robita, handloom & textiles director E Jiten Singh, joint secretary (TCI) H Bobby Sharma, Central Forest Division divisional forest officer (DFO) Vikram Nadhe and deputy secretary (TCI) H.Orjubala, along with a large number of officials from the department of textiles, commerce & industry, forest department, cluster development executives, textile designers, students, teachers, workers and local villagers.

Addressing the gathering, Anurag Bajpai emphasised that industry and forests need to grow together for sustainable economic development in the state.

He pointed out that forests are the strength of Manipur, as a large amount of raw materials required for industries are sourced from forests.

He said that forests of Manipur have the capability to push forward the primary and secondary sectors of the economy.

Anurag further stressed that in the government, it is essential for departments to come out of their silos and work together for efficient management and optimum utilisation of natural resources.

He called upon industries, students, teachers and villagers to come forward and plant saplings in their neighbourhoods, homestead gardens or any available open space around them.

"Trees prevent adverse impacts caused by industries through chemicals or gaseous effluents.

For a good and healthy life, we need a strong economy supported by a fresh environment," he added.

On the other hand, forest department's soil & water conservation division-1 held Van Mahotsav celebration at Yaingangpokpi Bazar under the theme "Plant Trees, Save Trees, Lend a Hand to Make Our Manipur Greener", by distributing free saplings of fruit-bearing trees, medicinal plants and big trees.

The programme was attended by Yaingangpokpi DFO M Wungrin Lansing and range forest officer (RFO) Geetchandra Angom.

Meanwhile, Manipur Police Training College (MPTC), Pangei, in collaboration with the forest department, celebrated Van Mahotsav 2025 with MPTC director in-charge and deputy director Sorokhaibam Gautam Singh and Central Forest Division DFO Vikram Suresh Nadhe as presidium members.

According to an MPTC release, a total of 2,025 saplings were planted at Wairi Firing Range campus, MPTC, Pangei, with the participation of forest department officials.

The function was also attended by assistant directors A Ghanashyam Sharma, Victoria Yengkhom, P Manjit Singh and Md Abul Kalam, additional SP (MPTC) A Devananda Singh, officers, law instructors, JCOs, 200 MPTC personnel and forest department staff.

Similarly, Thoubal Range under the aegis of Thoubal Forest Division, in collaboration with Ningel villagers, planted saplings in the surrounding areas of Ningel Thumkhong Lairembi under the same theme.

The event was attended by Thoubal RFO Dineschandra Salam, Mayai Keithel beat officer L Samananda, Yairipok beat officer Kh Herojit and forest staff.

Meanwhile, on the fifth day of Van Mahotsav 2025, plantation drives were carried out at Chandel Christian; Koinpnia Training School, Chandel; United College, Lambung, Chandel; United Public School, Serou and Khengjoi village, under the aegis of Chandel DFO Dr Naorem Munal Meitei.

During the drive, around 1,000 saplings of fruit-bearing trees, flowering and decorative plants were planted by Chandel Forest Division staffers, students, teachers and villagers.

Likewise, Tengnoupal forest division celebrated Van Mahotsav 2025 with a mass tree plantation drive at 5 Assam Rifles KLP, Moreh in Tengnoupal district.

The programme was attended by Tengnoupal forest division deputy conservator of forests Mahamuda Begum, 5 AR commandant Colonel Rahul Jain, Moreh RFO S Seiminthang Touthang, Tengnoupal RFO Md Salauddin, forest division staff, AR personnel, villagers and students.

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