Greening Chandigarh Action Plan launched on occasion of Van Mahotsav 2011

Van Mahotsav is an annual pan-Indian tree planting festival, celebrated on 5 June and even in the first week 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.

In 2011, on the occasion of Van Mahotsav was celebrated with fervor at various locations under aegis of Meerut Sub Area. During the annual event, army units undertook large scale plantation of trees in their respective areas of responsibility and also along side the main roads of the city's cantonment. Afforestation is considered to be the only answer to ill-effects of changing global climate.

The Greening Chandigarh Action Plan 2011-12 was released by the Department of Forest, Chandigarh Administration on the occasion of Van Mahotsav 2011.  Plantation by all greening agencies will be carried out as per the targets in the Plan which is to plant 2.30 lakh saplings during 2011.  To sensitize and to generate awareness among the stakeholders, department decided to organise various days like Triveni Day, Eco Club Day, NGO Day, Resident Welfare Association Day, Herbal Day etc. to plant saplings of tree species and herbal plants during the ensuing monsoon season.

On the occasion of Van Mahotsav-2011, a plantation campaign was launched by Forest Department of U.T. Chandigarh at Punjab Raj Bhawan.

Van Mahotsav is celebrated annually with an aim to achieve the following objectives:

•    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.