Imphal: Manipur kicked off the 77th Van Mahotsav on Wednesday. The state-wide event is part of the national Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0 campaign. Anurag Bajpai, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, launched the effort at Chingkhu Mayai Leikai. His department aims to plant 1.5 million saplings this season.
Bajpai pushed for public participation to ensure these trees actually survive. He said, "The Forest Department has set a target of planting around 15 lakh saplings across Manipur during Van Mahotsav."
District officials are already digging in. In Chandel, crews planted 800 saplings at the 8th Manipur Rifles campus. They plan to plant 110,000 more this month and will reward villages that keep their trees alive. Senapati officials put 2,000 native plants near the Karong Water Reservoir. They also set a goal of planting 100,000 seedlings.
Other regions are hitting their own targets. Thoubal crews planted 150 saplings at Nongpok Sekmai. Ukhrul foresters are aiming for 210,000 trees across their division. They are also using camera traps to watch local wildlife under the COSFOM project.
Churachandpur marked the start of the week-long event with a painting contest and tree planting at Saikot Community Hall. Throughout the coming days, the state will work with schools and security forces to expand the green cover. These groups aim to bolster climate resilience through community-led conservation efforts.
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