Van Mahotsav: An initiative to revive the deteriorating ecosystem!

Green trees are good for your eyes says the doctor. Being in nature and around trees always makes you feel healthier and calm. I am sure you would also agree with me on this. Since our childhood, the basic thing that we learn about trees is that trees provide us with oxygen and they help in removing carbon dioxide. Still, people grow up and forget what they had learned in school. Felling trees, industrialisation, urbanization are increasing at a jet speed. Thus, to counter these hazards, a step was taken by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi, back in 1950. It was the Van Mahotsav, a nationwide festival in the 1st week of July.

Union Agriculture and Food Minister of India Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi and his team planting trees in Delhi; source: Delhi Greens Blog

"Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you haven't done a thing. You are just talking." - Wangari Maathai. Wangari was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace prize. She founded the green belt movement in 1977 to plant trees across Kenya. She found out that there is a connection between environment, poverty and human rights. Wangari’s life revolves around education and trees.

Today due to the surge in population, trees are being cut for livelihood, construction of houses, and industrialization which has led to a rise in pollution, global warming, and other health hazards. Climate change is taking place at a very rapid pace. The green cover on the earth is vanishing. Planting trees is the easiest way to save the earth from pollution.

Mr Mohinder Singh Randhwa an Indian Historian, botanist, author and a civil servant observed many countries celebrating campaigns like forest week, festival of trees or arbor days and was influenced by these. In the year 1947, from 20th July to 27th July he decided to organise a campaign for planting trees. A week was celebrated as the plantation week.

Inspired by this activity, later, every year this week was celebrated as awareness about conservation of trees and planting trees. In the year 1950, the then Food and Agriculture minister, Mr. Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi shifted the plantation week to the 1st week of July and named it Van Mahotsav.

So, Van Mahotsav is celebrated every year from 1st of July to the 7th of July as the onset of monsoons in the first week of July is the perfect time to plant saplings.

But why is it called a festival? Mr. KM Munshi wanted the citizens of India to be excited and happy while they help in the plantation of trees. He wanted to implant love and consciousness among the people of India so that they willingly participate in maintaining the ecological balance by planting trees. Thus the name, ‘Van Mahotsav’ or ‘Forest Festival’.

It is not just planting of trees. Lot of planning goes behind the celebration each year. During this week various awareness programs based on topics like the climate change, the importance of trees, how to conserve trees and many more are held. Saplings are planted by elders and young. The academic institutions, Ngo’s and other welfare organisations also participate in this mass drive. They are supplied with saplings from state governments and other civic bodies.

Along with plantation of native trees that can grow easily and survive, fruit trees are also planted. The native trees not only helps us, but also the birds, animals and insects.

Here is a beautiful poem on Tree for you to read and enjoy.

Trees

BY JOYCE KILMER

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

Trees, trees and trees they never stop giving. Just imagine a place without trees, like any of the deserts. Is it possible to survive there? No, very difficult. Why are trees so important for the human race? I am sure we all know it! Still we keep on forgetting. Let us take some time to freshen up our childhood memories.

Trees are the main support system of our environment. The carbon dioxide that is being built in our atmosphere is constantly being absorbed by the trees and in turn they release oxygen. The trees help to filter out the pollutants in the air making it cool and fresh. You all must agree with me when I say trees keeps the surrounding cool and calm. They provide shade whenever we need. Trees are the promoters of biodiversity.

Apart from providing food trees help to hold soil in place thus reducing soil erosion. It is medically proven that a patient heals faster if they have a view of green trees. People from different communities, ages and gender come together to plant trees, thus encouraging diversity.

A noble initiative to create an awareness about how trees help the human race is the Van Mahotsav. Since 1950 this festival has been able to achieve a lot.

You might have heard about the climate change. Carbon sequestration is one of the methods of removing carbon from atmosphere and then storing it. By 2030 India has a target of creating 2 billion carbon sequestration.

The government is doing its bit, being an Indian we too have a responsibility to contribute to the cause of conserving trees and spreading awareness about planting more trees.

Let us see how we as an Indian can help the cause:

• The first thing is the awareness in us.

• We can spread the word to large masses.

• It is high time that we stop and avoid using things that are produced by destroying forests.

• Planting of trees at our homes, schools, colleges, offices should be encouraged.

• The young generation should be enlightened about the global warming and how planting of trees helps to prevent it.

• Not just planting trees, we need to take care of it too.

• Deforestation is increasing at a very fast rate, we need to be responsible about it.

I am sure if each one of us take a pledge to save our trees and spread the word of awareness, the celebration of Van Mahotsav will achieve a lot in the years to come.