- This year the celebration of Van Mahotsav was started at Ram Lila Park, Delhi on July 5 by the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It was a month-long drive to plant saplings.
- Addressing the gathering the Minister said that “The condition of our forests, rivers, air and land is a matter of serious concern for us. The reason for this is the modern lifestyle adopted by us. “Plants are another form of God, they give us free oxygen and absorb carbon-dioxide”.
- He reminded the Prime Minister’s emphasis on ‘Van Dhan’ for enhancement of the country’s forest-based economy, while improving the biodiversity and living in harmony with nature has been a part of our culture for thousands of years.
- The Minister highlighted the importance of Van Mahotsav in achieving India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDCs) of creating additional Carbon Sink of 2.5 to 3 Billion Tonnes of CO2, equivalent to additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
- He also said that the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was established at the initiative of Shri Narendra Modi and with the cooperation of France, ISA’s office was established in Gurugram and funds have been made available.
About Van Mahotsav
- Van Mahotsav, is a week long festival of tree planting is organised every year in the month of July all across India and lakhs of trees are planted.
- Van Mahotsav was launched in the year 1950 by Shri Kanhaiyalal. M. Munshi, the then Union Minister for Agriculture and Food to create an enthusiasm in the popular mind for the preservation of forest and planting of trees, as "trees mean water, water means bread and bread is life" and also for creating tree consciousness among the people.
The planting of trees during Van Mahotsava serve for the following purposes;
1. To provide fuel and thus release cow dung for use as manure.
2. To increase production of fruits and add to the potential food resources of the country.
1. To provide fuel and thus release cow dung for use as manure.
2. To increase production of fruits and add to the potential food resources of the country.
3. To help creation of shelter belts around agricultural fields to increase their productivity.
4. To provide fodder leaves for cattle to relieve intensity of grazing over reserved forests.
5. To provide shade and ornamental trees for the landscape.
6. To provide small poles and timber for agricultural implements, house construction and fencing.
7. To help conservation of soil and further deterioration of soil fertility.
8. To inculcate tree consciousness and love of trees amongst the people; and
9. To popularize the planting and tending of trees in farms, villages, municipal and public lands for their aesthetic, economic and protective needs.
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