हिंदी
Chandigarh.22nd July.2021:The word “Van Mahotsav” refers to “tree-plantation ceremony”, which is celebrated every year, in the month of July, to inculcate among the general public the need for growing trees and nurturing them. The Department of Forest & Wildlife, Chd has organized various plantation programmes during this Van Mahotsav to sensitize and generate awareness among the masses towards plantation. Today, a Van Mahotsav was organized by the Department of Forest & Wildlife, UT Chandigarh in association with the Yuvsatta – an Environment NGO at Botanical Garden, Sarangpur, Chandigarh where a massive plantation was done by the Senior Officers, Principals & Eco-Club Incharges of various schools of UT along with the officials of the Department. Ceremonial plantations were also done by Shri Debendra Dalai, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests, UT Chandigarh by planting a ‘Palash’ sapling and Dr.Abdul Qayum, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests, UT Chandigarh also planted the sapling on the occasion.
On the occasion, the Chief Conservator of Forests, Sh.Debendra Dalai informed that like every year, the Department of Forest & Wildlife is distributing tree saplings as well as the saplings of medicinal plants free of cost at the doorstep of the people of Chandigarh. The Department is doing every possible effort to raise awareness among citizens and especially among young students towards plantation. He said besides the tree plantations taken up by the Government Departments, the various schools, colleges and general public at large have also been very keen in maintaining the greenery of the city. He applauded the efforts by the residents in maintaining the greenery of the City Beautiful. He also appreciated the excellent nurseries works done by various school Principals & the Eco-Club Incharges which helps in further enhancing the greenery in the city. He further appealed all the stakeholders to carry their good work by involving all individuals to plant more and more trees during this monsoon season and also to nurture/take care properly so that the saplings be grown as a full-fledged tree. He further highlighted the exemplary work done by the Department towards rehabilitation of degraded land Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh. This forest land was used by the surrounding residents for dumping of waste material/garbage and for providing shelter to their domestic animals. To control the encroachment and to stop the further dumping of garbage, area was sealed by the Department. Then the dumped material was removed and successful plantation work has been carried out which increased the green cover of Chandigarh and also improves the air quality. At the end, the Chief Guest also distributed cotton bags with medicinal plants (each carrying five different medicinal plants) to the Principals & Eco-Club Incharges as a token of appreciation for the effort made by various stakeholders.
As a concluding remarks, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Dr.Abdul Qayum, briefed about the achievements by the Forest Dept in current Van Mahotsava. During the year 2021-22, the Department has a plantation target of 75,000 saplings in different forest managed areas and target of 80,000 saplings for distribution free of cost to the public. He added that the Department has already planted substantial number of saplings against the set target. Under free distribution policy, the Dept has already distributed the target of 80,000 plants to the public including plants distributed at the door steps under ‘Van Vibhag Aapke Dwar’.
All the participants planted one Palash sapling (State Flower of Chandigarh) each at Botanical Garden, Sarangpur in order to develop a Palash Block in the garden.
