Trees exhale for us to inhale them to stay alive. Can we ever forget that? Let us love trees with every breath we take until we perish," said a well-known writer, Munia Khan. Our country has many festivals and mythological stories dedicated to forests and trees. One of the most celebrated is Van Mahotsav, a week-long celebration dedicated to Mother Earth to protect our life support system. Celebrated from July 1 through July 7, this week-long Mahotsav aims to divert attention to the big issue, which undoubtedly is increasing deforestation.
Delhi, India's capital, celebrates Van Mahotsav a notch higher by turning wastelands into future green zones. Every year, as a part of this campaign, many afforestation drives are conducted in the city to spread community awareness about the ill effects of urbanisation and globalisation on nature. Many NGOs, government authorities, and school children's participation mark the beautiful initiative. Children write Van Mahotsav slogans, plant saplings with their teachers, and learn the importance of co-existing with nature.
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Date of Van Mahotsav 2024
Van Mahotsav 2024 will be celebrated from 1st July to 7th July. This occasion aka Forest Day is celebrated with utmost dedication towards Mother Earth.
The Theme of Van Mahotsav 2024
The Theme of Van Mahotsav 2024 is creating awareness amongst masses and safeguard our Mother Earth.
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History of Van Mahotsav Day
With the onset of the monsoon, tens and thousands of saplings are planted all across India and the festival literally is the celebration and creation of new life. Van Mahotsav was started back in the year 1950 by K.M. Munshi, who, back then, was a Union Minister for Agriculture and Food.
The main aim of this Mahotsav is to create enthusiasm and awareness amongst the masses. During this festival, each and every citizen of India is expected to plant a sapling during the entire Van Mahotsav week and pass it on to the next generation.
Thankfully, the tradition and celebration continue to date and are being passed on to the next generation as well.
Major Attractions of Van Mahotsav Day
On the occasion of Van Mahotsav Day 2024, the plantation of trees is well planned and generally, native saplings are planted as they readily adapt to the local conditions and have a higher rate of growing into full-grown trees. The saplings and the funds are arranged and supplied by the government authorities, state, and civic bodies to schools, colleges, NGOs, institutions, and other welfare organisations.
While Delhi celebrates the festival with full heart, Uttar Pradesh took home the crown of planting the most saplings in the year 2020 during Van Mahotsav. All the 75 districts in the state planted more saplings than the actual target which was assigned to them. The state achieved a success rate of 114% by planting over 55 lakh trees surpassing their target of 48 lakh. In 2024, Van Mahotsav will be celebrated in the following ways:
- Awareness Campaigns: These campaigns are initiated to garner a sense of responsibility among individuals towards the protection of the trees and Mother Earth. These awareness campaigns are a way to educate people about the significance of trees and their importance in the ecological system.
- Tree Plantation Drives: This initiative helps plant more trees to increase the green cover on out Mother Earth and escape from the harmful greenhouse effect.
- Competitions: Various competitions such as drawing, posters, plays, and others are conducted among schools to generate awareness among students, educate them about the trees and foster a sense of responsibility among the,m.
- Seminars and Workshops: Various organisations organise seminars and workshops on the occasion of Van Mahotsav to share knowledge, develop skills, inspire, and motivate people to safeguard the exciting trees and plant new ones.
- Street Plays: Various awareness-generating street plays, skits, and enactments are presented on the occasion of Van Mahotsav to spread the message of environmental conservation and the urgent need to protect the forests.
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Conclusion
Van Mahotsav is an event celebrated to make people more aware of the ongoing issues and degradation. Conserving the green cover ie trees is very crucial to safeguard Mother Earth and our future. With the rapidly expanding greenhouse effect and other environmental concerns, planting more trees has become imperative. This festival majorly encourages individuals to be more responsible and actively participate in the tree plantation drives. On Van Mahotsav 2024, ‘Let us vow to make earth more greener, healthier, and safer place to live.’
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Frequently Asked Questions About Van Mahotsav 2024
Q.1 When Van Mahotsav Is Celebrated In India?
Ans. 1st July to 7 July - Every Yea
Q2. What is van mahotsav?
A2. Van Mahotsav or the Forest Festival is a one-week tree-planting festival celebrated annually in the first week of July.
Q3. Who started Van Mahotsav?
A3. KM Munshi was the first one to celebrate Van Mahotsav. He inaugurated this festival back in the 1950s when he was the Union Minister for Agriculture and Food.
Q4. . When is Van Mahotsav celebrated in 2024?
A4. Van Mahotsav Day 2024 will be celebrated in the first week of July.
Q5. Why is July best for Van Mahotsav Day?
A5. July is considered the best month for Van Mahotsav as the plants planted during this time have more chances of survival.
