Van mahotsav 2022 celebrated in Pherzawl

73rd Van Mahotsav Celebration 2022 was kickstarted on July 1, 2022 by Th. Autumn, DFO Pherzawl at Pherzawl and Damdei Village, Pherzawl District with the active participation of Village Authority, Villagers, Teachers and Students in the Mass Tree Plantation Drive.  On 3rd July 2022, the celebration continued at Thanlon village with participation of Officials of BRTF, Police personnel, School authorities and students of St. Xavier High School and Convention English School, Village Authority and Villagers.

On these events, Th. Autumn highlighted brief history of Vanamahotsav, also known as Forest Festival, celebrated during 1st-7th July every year and importance of mass tree plantation.  He apprised the notable conservation works of Bishnoi community of Rajasthan and the legendary story of Amrita Devi Bishnoi, where 363 people sacrifice their lives for protest of the cutting down of Khejri trees in the year 1730. Quoting lines from Amrita Devi Bishnoi, Th Autumn says “If a tree is saved even at the cost of one's head, it's worth it”. 

Emphasizing the need of forest conservation in hilly district like Pherzawl, he reiterates for protection of trees along the National highway. Occurrence of frequent landslides during rainy season have been highly impacting the lives of the inhabitant; thereby causing breakdown of road connectivity, failure of food supply, cut down of electric power supply due to breakdown of electric posts, obstruction in medical emergency services, etc., says Th Autumn. Lastly, the DFO exhorted them to nurture the saplings they have planted and carry out post-plantation care by watering, fencing and weeding as an extra-curricular activity for a period of 3 years. 

Pherzawl Forest Division invites all Government employees, NGOs and villagers of the district to actively participate in mass tree plantation programme during this week long Vanamahotsav Celebration. Similar mass tree plantation drives will be held at Parbung on 7th July 2022.