THOUBAL, July 5: State Forest department today organised the 65th Vanamahotsava at the Thoubal College Campus today.
The observation was co-hosted by the College.
As part of the observation, a brochure on Vanamahotsava was also released by the department.
The function was presided over by MLA, P Brojen while, Md Abdul Nasir minister of Agriculture and Fisheries attended as the chief guest.
The symbolic tree planting program of the observation was led by the chief guest and president.
PN Prasad, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests stressed on the need to stop deforestation due to large scale unregulated felling of trees for firewood and other various purposes, forest fire and shifting cultivation.
He added it is also necessary to nurture the trees after planting them as well.
Instilling on the idea of reforestation, he appealed to the local leaders, non-governmental organisations, clubs and the public in general to help the department in the endeavor.
The chief guest, Md Abdul Nasir also spoke on the need to plant trees.
He said such observance of the Vanmahotasava has helped in spreading the awareness of nature preservation.
The forests areas of the State require protection and it can be achieved only with cooperation from the public, he asserted.
The minister further called upon the public to pledge to protest and conserve the natural resources and save forests.
In his presidential speech, P Brojen Singh gave a detailed account of the relationship between man and forest.
The shortage of staff in the Forest department will be notified to the concerned authorities at the earliest, he said.
Principal of Thoubal College, O. Chaoba Devi also attended the observation.