The 70th Van Mahotsav is currently being widely observed in Manipur by planting saplings.
State chief minister N Biren singh accompanied by forest and agriculture ministers inaugurated the festival at Churachandpur district on Monday last.
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According to Forest Department officials, the observation will continue in most of the districts till July 7.
The department aims to plant 2,50,000 saplings across the State during the plantation festival.
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“We’re also targetting 15,000 seedlings for every territorial forest division during the observation,” said an official.
On Tuesday, the festival was held at Liangmai Naga Baptist Association (Manipur) mission centre at Tamei.
The programme was organized by Tamenglong Forest Division and Baptist LNBA (M).
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Chief conservator of forest W Yaiskul Singh, divisional forest officeri Arun R S of Tamenglong district, chief medical officer Dr Chambo Gonmei of Tamenglong range forest officers Kh Hitler and S Khogen Singh were present as presidium members.
A public meeting and awareness programme was also held at Chaplin hall of the church.
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The meeting was attended by Pastor of Church Z Marilunbou, executive secretary, women church members, members of local club of Tamei and school students.
As part of the festival, Koide youths and students of Koide village in Senapati district planted 1000 tree saplings along the road side stretching about seven kms from Koide Biisho to Upper Koide to save rapidly depleting environment and for road safety.
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Hundreds of village youths and students joined the plantation drive leaving aside their hectic schedule in the ongoing paddy field cultivation.
Beat officer of Forest Beat Office R K Sadananda Singh of Tadubi and village authority members led by Koide Union president Kh Ngaolunii also joined the festival of mass tree plantation programme.
Ukhrul Elderly Persons’ Association (Kajami Long) which have great concern for restoring the depleted forests also joined Van Mahotsav celebration and planted tree saplings at different locations of Ukhrul town on Tuesday.
Considering the shrinking forest areas due to rampant deforestation in the State, the recently launched Green Mission Manipur, a brainchild of the chief minister aims to reclaim a green environment in the State.