UKHRUL, July 5 | EKHON: The Ukhrul Forest Division, in collaboration with the Ukhrul District Working Journalists’ Association (UDWJA), on Saturday organised an environmental awareness campaign at Charshung, Seipet Phungreitang, as part of the nationwide 77th Vana Mahotsav celebrations, highlighting the crucial role of the media in protecting forests and promoting environmental awareness.
Addressing the gathering, Ukhrul Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Laishram Gitla praised the media for its influence in shaping public opinion on environmental issues.
“While thousands of citizens across the country are holding saplings in their hands today, you hold something infinitely more powerful in yours: the pen, the camera, and the microphone,” Laishram said.
“A sapling planted in the soil grows into a tree. But a story planted in the minds of the public can grow into a movement. That is why the press is not just an observer of environmental conservation; you are its life support system,” she added.
The DFO said conservation cannot happen “in the dark” and stressed that journalists play a vital role in explaining complex issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and forest conservation through news reports, documentaries and feature stories.
“You give a voice to the voiceless, the grassroots activists, the forest guards working in perilous conditions, and the rural communities who are the true custodians of our wilderness,” she said, urging media professionals to effectively use digital platforms to make conservation “engaging, visual and urgent” for younger generations.
Laishram also remarked, “Nature does not have a PR agency. It relies entirely on the integrity of the press to tell its stories,” while thanking the media fraternity for its “voice, courage and continuous dedication to truth and our shared planet.”
A forest department official also stressed on the importance of protecting Ukhrul’s rich biodiversity, noting that the district is home to diverse flora and fauna that require collective efforts for conservation.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the programme, Laishram said the district has made significant progress under the ongoing plantation drive linked to the 77th Vana Mahotsav and the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative.
“Since July 1, we have started the 77th Vana Mahotsav festival across the country. Following the launch of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we began our plantation programme here in Ukhrul. During June alone, we completed the plantation of 2.47 lakh saplings across the length and breadth of the district,” she said.
Laishram said the success of the plantation drive was made possible through the participation of local communities, village authorities, students, women’s groups, youth organisations, churches, colleges and the press.
“Twenty-three villages under our springshed management project have contributed immensely to the plantation programme. Since the beginning of Vana Mahotsav till yesterday, we have planted another 1.84 lakh saplings,” she said.
She, however, stressed that planting trees alone is not enough.
“Planting a tree is important, but taking care of it and ensuring that it grows to provide shade and fruits for the people is equally important. Let us pledge today to plant, protect and nurture for our future,” she said.
Responding to a question on maintaining the plantations, Laishram said the Forest Department conducts regular monitoring and replacement of saplings.
“This year we have planted the saplings, and next year we will take up maintenance programmes. We revisit the plantation sites, assess casualties and replace dead saplings. We continue this care for four to five years in large-scale plantation areas. For saplings distributed to private individuals, we encourage them to take care of the plants, and if there are casualties, they can approach the department for replacement during the next plantation season,” she explained.
She added that large-scale plantations have been undertaken in Hoomi, Teinem, Marem, Sihai and Wahong villages.
On the choice of species, Laishram said the department prioritises indigenous trees suited to local ecological conditions.
“We encourage people to choose indigenous species. Since many plantations are on private land, we provide species that people prefer, including oak for fuelwood and other native trees. We also distribute fruit-bearing trees and ornamental species such as Thuja and cherry for offices and institutions. In the Tusom area, where there is a pine belt, we are continuing efforts to restore and expand the pine forests. This is the third consecutive year of the programme, and we will further extend the area before the end of July,” she said.
Vana Mahotsav is observed annually across the country as a week-long festival dedicated to tree plantation and environmental awareness, encouraging public participation in greening initiatives and sustainable conservation.
