Amity School of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (ASNRSD), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, has organized “Van Mahotsav”, from 1 July to 7 July, 2022 at its Noida campus. The week-long celebrations comprise of various interesting activities, with an aim to encourage the students, staff and faculty to protect and plant trees.

Inaugurating the Mahotsav, Mr. V.K. Singh, IFS (Retd.), Former Deputy Director General, Northern Region, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi, said, “Planting trees is important but more important is protecting the trees which have already been planted. Climate change is becoming a huge problem across the globe and planting trees and saving forests can significantly curb this problem to a large extent. Also, those who plant trees should be awarded or given some recognition, as a step towards encouraging them to plant more trees.”

Emphasizing upon the importance of planting trees, Mr. Surender Kumar, IFS (Retd.), Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Tripura, averred, “Great advancement in Science & Technology has been a huge blessing but at the same it has badly damaged the environment. Deforestation and reduction in the green cover has adversely affected our planet, earth and its effects can be seen in the form of carbon emissions, pollution, rise in temperature, etc. Therefore, there is a dire need to keep planting trees throughout the year and save the planet.”

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. A.K. Jain, IFS (Retd.), Senior Advisor, Green Highway División, Ministry of Road and Transport, New Delhi, stated, “The population of India is approximately 130 crores and even if one person plants one tree each, India will have 130 crore trees in a short span of time. In the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha, the forest área has been increased notably due to stringent efforts made by the government and the individuals. Efforts are also being made to increase the green cover under Sustainable Development Goals, specially SDGs 13, 14 & 15.”

Addressing the gathering, Mr. S.K. Upadhyay, IFS (Retd.), Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Forces(HoFF), Uttar Pradesh, said, “The lives of human beings are dependent on trees. Even ancient scriptures like the Vedas, Puranas and other holy scriptures have mentioned the importance of tres, in great detail. Banyan tree, mango tree and peepal tree are still commonly worshipped in India, on different occasions and hold deep, religious significance. They are treated like Gods as they provide human beings with food, shelter along with pure and clean air to breathe. Global warming, climate change and carbon emissions are the problems which have emerged today due to the lack of green cover, which has been reduced considerably in the recent times as a result of industrial and economic growth.”

Welcoming the guests, Dr. S.P singh, Director, Amity School of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (ASNRSD), said, “Van Mahotsav was officially launched in 1950 by the then Minister of Food and Agriculture Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi. “Van Mahotsav” consists of a week-long celebration across India, which starts on July 1 and concludes on July 7, 2022, to raise awareness about tree plantation and forest conservation and encourage the citizens of India to plant more trees. “Van Mahotsav” also coincides with the onset of the monsoon. Forests and trees help in lowering the carbon footprint and maintain ecological balance of the environment by increasing oxygen-level and absorbing carbon dioxide.”

During the week-long celebrations of “Van Mahotsav”, ceremonial plantations will be done at various locations in Amity University Uttar Pradesh campus through faculty members, researchers, staff and students under the leadership of Head of Institutions and Head of Departments. The other activities include Online Essay Writing and Poster Making Competition, Afforestation Awareness through Video Clippings, and a Webinar on “Role of Afforestation in Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Livelihood”, which will be conducted as a part of “Van Mahotsav” activities.

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