MSSRF CELEBRATES VAN MAHOTSAV WEEK 2025
The Tribal Agro-biodiversity Centre, regional centre of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Jeypore, observed Van Mahotsav Week 2025 from 1st to 7th July 2025 in collaboration with the Department of Forest & Environment, Government of Odisha, the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), Koraput, and with the support of the Odisha Biodiversity Board. The celebrations were held across Koraput, Kundra, Jeypore, and Boipariguda, aligning with the nationwide tree-planting festival that promotes afforestation and environmental conservation.
Van Mahotsav, first initiated in 1950 by Shri K. M. Munshi, is an annual campaign to promote awareness on the significance of trees in maintaining ecological balance and combating climate change. The 2025 theme “Ek Ped—Maa ke Naam 2.0” (Plant a Tree, Secure Our Future) highlighted the role of tree plantation in ensuring a greener, healthier, and climate-resilient future.
MSSRF marked the occasion on 1st, 6th, and 7th July through tree plantation and seed ball distribution drives in Pottangi, Galigabdar, Deomali, Phulbhata, and other areas. On 6th July, a district-level Van Mahotsav celebration was inaugurated by Honourable Union Minister of Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, who planted a sapling as part of launching the programme. He emphasized the importance of increasing forest cover to 45% and caring for Mother Earth in line with the Honourable Prime Minister’s vision. Shri Pradhan also noted that a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) begins with a Viksit Koraput.
The event witnessed participation of several dignitaries, including Shri Surya Bansi Suraj, Minister of Higher Education, Odisha; Shri Nityananda Ganda, Minister of School & Mass Education, Odisha; Shri Gokulananda Mallik, Minister of Fisheries & Animal Resource Development, Odisha; Shri Balabhadra Majhi, MP, Nabarangpur; Shri Raghuram Machha, MLA, Koraput; Shri Rupu Bhatra, MLA, Kotpad, Shri Rama Chandra Kadam, MLA, Pottangi; Shri Pabitra Santa, MLA, Laxmipur; Shri Lalatendu Sethi, Chairman, Koraput Municipality. In addition, senior government officials including Mr. V. Kreerthi Vasan, IAS, Collector, Koraput, senior police officers, forest officers, BSF, CRPF personnel, scientists, and representatives from partner organizations.
More than 3,000 quality saplings of species such as Ficus benghalensis, Ficus religiosa, Azadirachta indica, Anogeissus acuminata, Phyllanthus emblica, and Mimusops elengi were planted with the enthusiastic participation of over 1,000 people, including school children, community members, and security forces. The programme was coordinated under the guidance of the Divisional Forest Officer, Koraput.
On 7th July, MSSRF continued plantation activities at Asna GP, Uduliguda Government School, and Gundal GP, in collaboration with Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) members. Around 450 saplings were planted with the active involvement of 80 school children, 70 BMC members, and local villagers. The celebrations reinforced the spirit of Van Mahotsav by fostering community participation in environmental conservation and creating awareness about the role of trees in building a sustainable future.