Trees planted in connection with Van Mahotsav

Our Correspondent
THOUBAL/KAKCHING/NONEY, Jul 6: Kekru Yairi Club Yairipok (KYCY) conducted a tree plantation drive today at Kekru playground in connection with the week-long celebration of Van Mohatsav.
The programme organised under the aegis of Forest Department saw members and former officer bearers of the club plant around 50 saplings of 'Bokul', 'Manahi', 'Heikru/ Indian Gooseberry', 'Pungtol/ Guava', 'Theibong/ Jackfruit', 'Dalchini/ Cinnamon' etc along the periphery of the playground.
Speaking on the occasion, secretary of KYCY, Longjam Digen said that the programme was organised in association with Thoubal Forest Division and is aimed to reduce the growing ecological imbalance and its harsh impact.
He also expressed gratitude to DFO Thoubal and concerned authorities for providing the tree saplings and helping them conduct the event successfully.
Meanwhile, the 1984 matric batch of Kakching High School planted over 100 tree saplings on both sides of Kakching Khunuda Chingjil to Irengband road stretch to observe Van Mahotsav 2020, today.
Speaking to the media person, Forest Range Officer N Munal Meitei said that observing Van Mahotsav in every first week of July to conserve the environment will not bear fruits if unchecked felling of trees continues.
N Munal Meitei  is also the president of Kakching High School 1984 Matric Batch.
Though many have started planting trees on important occasions, which is encouraging,  to mitigate the effect of climate change and help conserve the environment, only a few trees survived all odds and grew to its full potential, he said and added that it is important to learn why a vast portion of the planted saplings die without maturing.
Saying that observing the day is meaningless if deforestation continues in hills areas at the current rate, he appealed to all hills and valley people to lend their hands to protect the environment, which is home to not only humans but also other species.
Van Mahotsav is an annual one-week tree-planting festival in India.
In Noney, a mega plantation drive was organized jointly by Noney Forest Division and Longmai Nature Club at Longmai, Noney today.
A total of 2,600 ornamental trees were planted at different sites in Longmai and surrounding villages, said a statement .