Ukhrul celebrates International Day of Forests
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, March 19 2025: In the run-up to the International Day of Forests 2025 on March 21, Ukhrul district marked this global event with a series of activities organised by the Ukhrul Forest Division at the district level on March 18 and 19, focusing on the theme Forests and Food' .

The two-day event highlighted the invaluable contribution of forests to food security, nutrition, and the livelihoods of many people, particularly those in forest-dependent communities.

On Tuesday, an interactive session on the theme of the celebration, "Forests and Food," was held at KTL Excel Higher Secondary School, which saw active participation from as many as 800 students from Class 6 to 10 .

Ukhrul celebrates International Day of Forests

Speaking at the event, Ukhrul DFO Laishram Gitla underscored the crucial role forests play in ensuring food security, noting that "sustainable forest management is essential for maintaining a balance between develop ment and the preservation of vital resources for future generations".

Range forest officers Kh Sanaremba Singh, N Bikram, and K Siyo, along with the staff of Ukhrul Forest Division, initiated a plantation campaign titled "Be a Tree Owner" with the students, pledging under the slogan, "No to cutting trees.

Yes to planting trees, and yes, I will be a tree owner".

During the campaign, over 50 horticultural saplings were distributed and planted within the school campus with an aim to promote individual responsibility for ensuring the long-term health of Ukhrul's rich natural environment.

School principal Yarmi Kashung stressed the need to plant more trees whenever opportunities arise, while encouraging the students to become stewards of the forests.

The programme also witnessed an action song performed by the students on the theme of the celebration.

On Wednesday, a "Foot Rally: Run for Forests" was organised by the Ukhrul Forest Division, drawing participants from Hunphun Katamnao Long, students, and teachers from Ukhrul Central School.

Flagging off the rally from the Mini-Secretariat complex, Ukhrul DC Asish Das reiterated the call for preserving forests, stating that they play a crucial role in providing food resources, sustaining livelihoods, and preserving biodiversity.

In her speech, DFO Laishram Gitla stressed that forests provide the most vital elements of life such as air, water, and food, and also contribute to nutrition and well-being, particularly for indigenous and forest-dependent communities.

She called for collective efforts to protect and sustainably manage forests, leading the rally with the slogan, "No to cutting trees, yes to planting trees, and yes, I will be a tree owner" .

The rally culminated at the Ukhrul Forest Division complex after covering the Gandhi Chawk, Phungreitang.

Support for the cause was demonstrated through the active participation of various officials, including CEO/ADC Ukhrul David Kashungnao, DC/ADM Polly Makan, Ukhrul SDO Dinringam Kamei, Jessami SDO Duna Duo, Chingai SDO Roland Ningshen, LM Block SDO Ngamreiwung Luithui, ZEO Thaimei Badan, DRDA Ukhrul Project Officer Md Zulfiqar Ali Shah, NHIDCL/Ukhrul general manager, and other DLOs .