AGARTALA, July 24 (TIWN): Van-Mahotsav, which is an annual tree planting festival in the month of July was held in Agartala Suryasen Baloari Centre, under AMC Wrd No-21.

During this festival many trees were planted. AMC Mayor Prafullajit Sinha inaugurated the programme.

The annual Van-Mahotsav was started in 1950, by K. M. Munshi, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Food at that time. It was started to create awareness in the mind of the people for the conservation of forests and planting of new trees.

However, Whereas sampling near Howrah river plant yet to be done, AMC Mayor is propagating by Van-Mahotsav. Howrah river, once knew as capital city’s life is worsening day by day but to get media focus so many programmes are organized by the govt.

However, the Van Mahotsava is celebrated as a festival of life. In India it was started as a crusade to save mother earth. The name Van Mahotsava means 'the festival of trees'. It began in July 1947 after a flourishing tree planting drive was undertaken in Delhi, in which national leaders like Dr Rajendra Prasad and Jawaharlal Nehru participated.

The festival was simultaneously celebrated in a number of states in India. Since then, thousands of saplings of diverse species are planted with energetic participation of the locals and various agencies like the forest department.