Van Mahotsav, also known as the Forest Festival, is an annual tree-planting festival that takes place in the month of July. It is a festival where thousands of trees are planted nationwide. This year, like every year, Van Mahotsav will be observed from July 1 to July 7 to spread forest conservation awareness and save the environment. As we are all aware, trees and forests play an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance of the environment by providing oxygen to human beings. Thus, Van Mahotsav week is a reminder to protect forests and stop deforestation. We at LatestLY will provide you with details about the history and significance of the festival.

Van Mahotsav 2024 Start and End Date

Van Mahotsav, also known as Vanamahothsava, is an annual one-week tree-planing festival in India, which is celebrated in the first week of July. The celebration of Van Mahotsav 2024 will start on July 1 and end on July 7.

Van Mahotsav History

The roots of Van Mahotsav stretch back to 1947, when the esteemed Punjab botanist MS Randhawa orchestrated the first celebration from July 20 to July 27. The inaugural event, graced by the then Delhi Police Commissioner Khurshid Ahmad Khan on July 10, 1947, was a poignant reminder of the dire consequences of deforestation on our rich flora and fauna. The nation's leaders, Dr Rajendra Prasad and Jawaharlal Nehru, led a spirited plantation drive, marking the beginning of a tradition that continues to this day. Van Mahotsav 2024 in India: From Planting Trees to Green Initiatives, 5 Ways To Celebrate the Annual Tree Planting Festival.

From 1947, the tradition of celebrating Van Mahotsav and planting trees has continued. In 1950, the festival was declared as a national activity by Kanaiyaka Maneklal Munshi, the Minister of Food and Agriculture. Following this, the festival wasshifted to the first week in July and was renamed to Van Mahotsav.

Van Mahotsav Significance

The weeklong celebration in India encourages people to plant more trees as they are being cut down owing to the large scale of industrialisation and urbanisation. Trees contribute to the production of food resources, maintaining ecological balance, improve the quality of air, climate restoration, water conservation, preservation of oil, wildlife support, drough reduction and prevention of soil erosion and pollution.

Van Mahotsav is not just a festival but a call to action for each one of us. It's a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect our environment and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. On this day, children and adults alike roll up their sleeves, plant saplings, and participate in the plantation drive, thereby contributing to the awareness of the crucial role trees play in our lives.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 01, 2024 07:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).