01 Jul 2025|Noida | Amity University, Noida
Week-long Celebration of Van Mahotsav commences at Amity
Amity University Noida is organizing Van Mahotsav Week from 1st-7th July 2025, which started with a Webinar on the theme, “Van Mahotsav: A symbol of Hope through collective awareness action for Greening environment & resilience of Climate Change”. The main aim of this Mahotsav is to create awareness amongst the masses about the importance of tree-plantation.
Addressing the gathering during the Webinar, Dr. Vivek Saxena, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)-cum-Chief Wildlife Warden, Haryana, averred, “Van Mahotsav, which raises awareness about tree protection and plantation, was started in 1950 by the then Union Agriculture Minister, Shri K.M. Munshi. Research is being done on environmental protection but it is necessary to increase plantation at ground level and take care of the plants. The initiative taken by the government "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" has made people aware of their duties towards mother earth. However, after planting the trees, it is also important to monitor and supervise the plants till they grow.”
Dr. Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor, AUUP said, “At Amity, we organize annual events like Van Mahotsav to sensitize students, teachers and staff about tree plantation and conservation. By planting trees, we not only help in reducing the impact of climate change but also in protecting the environment and promoting human well-being. At present, increasing pollution and deforestation are becoming a huge problem for the environment. Therefore, planting trees is extremely crucial if we want to protect the planet.”
Mr. Subhash Chandra, IFS (Retd.) Former Additional Director General of Forests & Former Chief Executive Officer, CAMPA, MoEFCC, GoI, stated, “Trees not only provide fruits and medicinal herbs, but they also help in maintaining the balance of the environment. Many people consider it their responsibility to plant saplings once a year, however, once the sapling is planted, people do not take care of the plant and it slowly dies out. Therefore, proper care and nurturing of the plants is required to make sure the plant grows into a healthy tree.”
Prof. (Dr.) A.K. Gupta, IFS (Retd.), Chief Executive Officer & Registrar, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences & Technology, Karnataka, opined, “Conservation and sustainable development are activities which must take place in local communities and community participation in forest conservation and tree plantation is extremely essential.”
Dr. S.P. Singh, Director, Amity School of Natural Resources & Sustainable Development (ASNRSD), said, “Trees and forests play a very crucial role in maintaining an ecological balance and providing oxygen to human beings on the planet. The Van Mahotsav week is a reminder that we must protect forests, stop deforestation and practice the 3R rule- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. 'Van Mahotsav' is a wonderful initiative to save our environment to which we owe a lot.”
During the week-long celebrations, various theme-based Talk Series, Essay-writing Competition, Quiz competition, Workshop, and Ceremonial plantation under the initiative “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, will be held.
