Darpan News Service
Chandigarh 13th July: 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.
During the current year, the Forest Department, Chandigarh is celebrating Van Mahotsav in the form of MAGIC (Mega Afforestation & Greening Initiative in Chandigarh) Mela. The MAGIC Mela has been conceptualized for plantation of 75,000 number saplings within city area.
To sensitize the general public regarding importance of tree plantation, Van Mahotsav-2022, was launched today at Colony No.4 site, Industrial Area, Phase-I. Shri Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Punjab & the Administrator Chandigarh flagged off the vehicles titled “वन विभाग आपके द्वार” for the free distribution of the saplings at the door steps of residents of Chandigarh.
The Administrator planted ‘Rudraksh’ plant in the Rudraksh block of the Amrut Van thereby inaugurating the month long tree planting festival i.e. MAGIC (Mega Afforestation & Greening Initiative in Chandigarh) Mela. He highly appreciated the concept of “Amrut Van”.
Sh. Purohit also interacted with the children who came for participation in the plantation programme and encouraged children not only to plant but also to nurse the same afterwards. He urged students to carry forward the message to their neighourhood and friends.
On this occasion the ‘Greening Chandigarh Action Plan 2022-23’ and a booklet on ‘AMRUT VAN, Chandigarh’ was also released by the Hon’ble Administrator.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dharam Pal, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator said that this Amrut Van is a unique concept. The department has conceptualized and people of Chandigarh will be highly benefited from it. Sh.Dharam Pal also informed that during visit of Hon’ble Union Home Minister – Shri Amit Shah to Chandigarh in March, 2022 he appreciated the greenery of the city and further directed the Administration to make a Special Plantation Drive during the ensuing monsoon season in order to connect the Citizens, Students and the Government employees in the greening activities. The vision of the Hon’ble Home Minister has accordingly been synthesized by the department in order to give further boost to the greening activities of the City Beautiful. Accordingly, a Plan namely “Mega Afforestation & Greening Initiative in Chandigarh (MAGIC) Mela – 2022” has been prepared wherein total no. of 75,000 saplings have been planned to be planted within the city area involving various Departments of Chandigarh Administration, School/ College students, Central Government Organizations, Para Military forces, general public etc. In order to mark the beginning of the MAGIC Mela 2022, this plantation drive has been inaugurated by Hon’ble Administrator.
Sh.Nitin Kumar Yadav, IAS, Secretary Forests appreciated the effort of the department who toiled very hard to convert the degraded site to such a beautiful area and established this Amrut Van.
Sh.Debendra Dalai, CCF informed that to celebrate ‘Azadi ka Amrut Mahaotsav’ i.e. 75 Years of India’s Independence, an Ämrut Van at Colony No.4 site, Indl. Area, Phase-I has been established where the Department has planned to plant 75 different tree species of medicinal value of 75 no. each and designed in such a way that the Amrut Van will bloom all throughout the year as per flowering season of the particular plant.
Shri Dalai, IFS, CCF further informed that as per “Greening Chandigarh Action Plan 2022-23”, total 1,75,000 saplings will be planted in a phased manner on government and available private land and 80,000 saplings are being distributed by Forest Department free of cost to the citizens of Chandigarh. This shall further add to the greenery of the City Beautiful.
300 school students from different schools of Chandigarh attended the programme and planted saplings on the occasion to mark the beginning of celebration of Vanmahotsav-2022 (MAGIC Mela).
All the Dignitaries such as Mrs.Sarabjit Kaur, Mayor (MC), Sh.Praveer Ranjan, IPS, Director General of Police, Sh.Vinay Pratap Singh, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Dr.Vijay Namdeorao Zade, IAS, F.S, Mr.Arulrajan P., IFS, CF, Sh.Kuldeep Chahl, IPS, SSP, Dr.Abdul Qayum, IFS, DCF and other officers of Chandigarh Administration, Principals of Schools, Eco Club Incharges and employees of departments also planted saplings at Amrut Van to mark the beginning of month long tree plantation drive.