76th Van Mahotsav week celebration commences across State
Source: The Sangai Express / DIOs

Jbm/Spt/Ukl/Spt,, July 01 2025: The 76th Van Mahotsav Week, popularly celebrated as the "Festival of Trees", kicked off across the State of Manipur today with vibrant tree plantation drives and awareness events under the theme "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" .

The state-wide celebration witnessed active participation from forest officials, students, armed forces, civil society groups and local communities.

JIRIBAM

As part of the nationwide celebration of the 76th Van Mahotsav Week also known as the festival of tree and forest, a Divisional Level Van Mahotsav Week celebration, 2025 was inaugurated in a function held at Jiri College.

The inaugural function was organized by Divisional Forest Officer, Jiribam on the theme "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" Plant Trees, Save Trees, Lend a Hand to Make Our Manipur Greener" emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability.

The function was graced by Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam Krishna Kumar, IAS, Divisional Forest Officer, Jiribam Elangbam Nirmala Chanu, Superintendent of Police, Jiribam Shaikh Mohd Zaib Zakir, IPS as Chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking on the occasion as chief Guest Krishna Kumar said that considering the pressure on earth and with the increase in population we need to adopt good practices to promote conservation of forest, combat with deforestation and climate changes.

He also urged the people to promote afforestation, conserve natural resources and environmental awareness.

As part of the celebration a ceremonial tree plantation led by Deputy Commissioner Jiribam was also held at Jiri College campus, symbolizing the commitment to environmental protection.

The function was attended by CO 7 th IRB, Jiribam, Semmi Ramror, MPS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam, Th Manoranjan Singh, MCS, CO 156 Bn CRPF Kanhaiya Singh, District Level Officers, Officials of Jiribam Forest Division besides enthusiastic participation from teachers and students of Jiri College and other schools highlighting the community's commitment to environmental protection.

SENAPATI

Senapati district kicked off the Van Mahotsav Celebration, 2025 today under the theme "Ek Paudha Maa Ke Naam 2.0" in the presence of Soreiphy Vashum, IFS, Addl Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Government of Manipur, Mamoni Doley, LAS, Deputy Commissioner of Senapati, ML Kaisungbou, MPS, ADSP, Senapati and other district officials who later led the tree plantation in commemoration of the celebration.

Soreiphy Vashum, IFS, Addl.

PCCF as the chief guest emphasized on the importance of conservation and encouraged all the participants to "Plant a tree, nurture it, and contribute to a greener tomorrow".

She also appealed to all the citizens of the district to join hands to make Van Mahotsav 2025 a success.

The Divisional Forest Officer of Senapati Shanngam S, IFS while delivering welcome address stated that the Divisional Forest Division of Senapati has taken up the initiative of road side plantation of avenue trees from DRDA Hall to Assam Rifle Camp- a stretch of 1 km in commemoration with the 76th Van Mahotsav celebration 2025.He also stated that recycled bottle tree guards are used at the plantation providing benefits to young trees like protection from pests, moisture retention, and even potentially helping with water collection.

He mentioned that multiple plantation activities of tree plant will continue on till next week across the district by the Beat Officers and Rangers while mobilizing the theme "Ek Paudha Maa Ke Naam 2.0" meaning Plant a tree, Honour your mother.

As part of the celebration, a mass-scale tree plantation drives were carried out by Senapati Forest Division all over the district planting over 200 tree saplings for the day.

The department will continue to plant 1 lakh number of seedlings during the first week of July, 2025 while celebrating Van Mahotsav-Forest Festival in the district.

A total of 200 participants from various schools, colleges, DLOs, CSOs, Student bodies, police personnel, security personnel, Church leaders, Women societies, VDVK members, representatives of various banks of Senapati participated in the program.

UKHRUL

The Ukhrul Forest Division today commenced its annual Van Mahotsav, 2025 celebrations with a series of significant plantation drives across the District, reaffirming its commitment to environmental conservation and expanding green cover.

Highlighting a pivotal shift from rhetoric to reality, a significant tree plantation drive, emphasizing concrete action in environmental conservation was spearheaded by Laishram Gitla, MFS, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ukhrul in Jessami village together with K Siyo, Range Forest Officer, Jessami and a dedicated team of field staff.

A total of 600 seedlings of indigenous species were planted in and around the village.

The event witnessed the presence and active involvement of several key institutions like the Jessami Village Council led by Joysingh Wejah, chairman, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya with students and teachers participating enthusiastically, staff from the Sub-Divisional Office, Jesami, personnel of Manipur Police, Jessami and NHIDCL staff, demonstrating interdepartmental collaboration.

Speaking at the event, DFO Gitla, today issued a powerful call to action, transforming the well-known benefits of trees and forests into tangible efforts.

She also underscored the urgent need for practical implementation following years of awareness campaigns.

Joysingh Wejah emphasized the crucial role of collective action in safeguarding the environment and highlighted the importance of planting and nurturing trees for a sustainable effort.

Parallel plantation programs were also carried out in Yaolen, Litan and Awang Kasom (Ngahui) junction.

CHANDEL

Marking the beginning of Van Mahotsav 2025, the Divisional Forest Officer/ Chandel in collaboration with the 21 Assam Rifles launched a significant tree plantation drive at the Headquarters of the 21 Assam Rifles in Modi village, Chandel district.

The inaugural function was attended by L Joykumar Singh, chief conservator of Forests as chief guest, Col Dr Akbar, 21 AR as the president and Dr N Munal Meitei, DFO/Chandel as guest of honour.

During the event, 1050 saplings were planted by the officers and jawans of the 21 AR and forest staff.

Speaking at the event, Dr Munal Meitei stressed the importance of environmental conservation and encouraged everyone to treat trees like their own mother.

He also acknowledged the crucial role of students, women's groups, and local communities in environmental protection.

L Joykumar Singh, CCF stated that Manipur has set an ambitious target of planting 34 lakh tree saplings during the current year as part of its ongoing environmental conservation.

Highlighting the importance of collaborative effort, Joykumar stated that the active participation of the Armed Forces, particularly the Assam Rifles will be crucial in achieving this goal.

He further appealed to the public to consider tree planting as a fundamental duty to protect the environment for the future generations.

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