Van Mahotsav

So the literal meaning of “Van Mahotsav” can be deduced to “A Great Forest-Festival”, an event which is celebrated by the Indian community throughout the world with the central theme of planting trees.

Overall, Van Mahotsav is an important occasion to raise awareness about the benefits of trees and to encourage people to become more active in environmental conservation efforts.

The brilliant idea of reduce, reuse, and recycle directly correlates with contribution to answer global warming and foster nature.

Van Mahotsav is for those who love mother earth, and also for those who are ignorant because they will also get to enjoy the natural equilibrium between good environment, beautiful weather, and pleasant climatic conditions.

The first event of 20 July 1947 was inaugurated with the planting of Bauhinia saplings by Khurshid Ahmad Khan, commissioner of Delhi in the morning and the afternoon, another ceremony was held at the Purana Qila led by the Vice President of the Interim Government, Nehru.

Gandhi was in Delhi at the time and noted it in his prayer speech "The official who originated the idea of tree planting did not do it for fancy nor was it meant only for the monied men.

Some say the history of this movement traces back to the year 1947 when MS Randhawa, a Punjabi botanist, organized a tree plantation week from 20 to 27 July.

The festival also strengthens communities by providing platform for promoting afforestation and environmental awareness, and by bringing together people from different walks of life to plant trees and protect the environment.

People from different ethnic background and religion come together and engage in community building activities, making it a significant event in the country's social calendar.

In addition to promoting afforestation, the festival also aims to create a sense of social responsibility and encourage people to take care of the environment.

Van Mahotsav has been successful in creating a positive impact on the environment, and its celebration has resulted in the increased green cover across the country.