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Why
Vanamotsava 2004 ?
The 55th Vanamohotsava, a great festival of tree
planting was first stated by (Late)K.M.Munshi, the
Union Minister for Food & Agriculture in the year
1950. It was the vision and frat concern of the then
leader on the need to preserve and conserve the ever
increasing danger of environmental degradation
caused mankind on this earth planet. In fact such
realization and the need to restore the ecosystem of
the world of late came only after the 2nd world war.
Forest in India covers about 75 million
hectares out of the total geographical area of 329
million hectare keeping the forest areas far below
desired level. Further, the nation is losing 1.3
millions ha. of forest land every year due to
various factors and more than 1/3rd of the land mass
on earth are facing the problems of desertification
the results of rapid population growth,
urbanization, pressure on land for Agriculture and
housing, widening of roads, industrial & economic
development also cause irreparable loss to this
natural resources. The depletion of forest in the
catchments areas of streams & rivers causes flash
flood and desiltation of valuable paddy fields in
the lowland. Drying of perennial source of drinking
water due to low ground water storage has also
become a phenomenal problems all over the country.
Manipur is a small State yet widely
known for its unique cultural heritage with a vast
valley surrounded by lofty hills and home of the
most endangered Deer, species "SANGAI". The State is
rich in biodiversity and many rare species of flora
and fauna are avail be in the wild. However, owing
to increasing population and the practice of
shifting cultivation in the hills, vast areas of
natural forest have been degraded.
Moreover,development of village roads and commercial
exploitation of forest produces beyond its renewable
capacity also leads to the degradation of forest and
its bio-resources. Many catchments areas of
important lakes and rivers are almost without proper
forest cover causing occasional desiltation of flat
land and loss o many valuable lives and properties.
It is, therefore ,the responsibility of
every citizens to ponder on the issue of our
environment whether we should do something on it or
leave it to the nature . If we are concerned about
our forests and our environment, we can contribute
our mite to this noble cause by taking part in
afforestation in the blank patches of hills and
valley. We can also take part in protection of our
existing forest. Plantation of tress and its
protection should not be thought as the moral duties
of forest officials alone.
It is the constitutional duties of
every citizen of safeguard and protect its
environment. So, let us all join hands together. Let
us re-affirm our commitment and participate in
absorbing this great festival with dedication and
sacrifice to save our forest land plant more trees
to make our world worth living for us and for the
future generation.
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