VAN MAHOTSAV

Van Mahotsav is an annual pan-Indian tree planting festival, occupying a week in the month of July. During this event millions of trees are planted. It was initiated in 1950 by K. M. Munshi, the then Union Minister for Agriculture and Food to create an enthusiasm in the mind of the populace for the conservation of forests and planting of trees. The main objectives of the planting of trees during Van Mahotsav are to: Provide fuel and thus release cow dung for use as manure. Increase production of fruits and add to the potential food resources of the country. Help creation of shelter-belts around agricultural fields to increase their productivity. Provide fodder leaves for cattle to relieve intensity of grazing over reserved forests. Provide shade and ornamental trees for the landscape. Provide small poles and timber for agricultural implements, house construction and fencing. Help conservation of soil and prevent further deterioration of soil fertility. Inculcate tree consciousness and love of trees amongst the people. Popularize the planting and tending of trees in farms, villages, municipal and public lands for their aesthetic, economic and protective needs. Vanamahotsava is the festival of life. It was started in India, as a campaign to save mother earth The name Vanamahotsava (the festival of trees) originated in July 1947 after a successful tree-planting drive was undertaken in Delhi, in which national leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr Rajendra Prasad and Abdul Kalam Azad participated. The week was simultaneously celebrated in a number of states. Since then, lakhs of saplings of different species were planted with active involvement of agencies like the forest department.

 The concept of this great festival for the nature lovers was first initiated by (Late) K.M. Munshi, the then Union Minister for Food & Agriculture in the year 1950.