Our Responsibility Does Not End With The Planting Of A Sapling, But We Must Take Care Of It For Its Growth : Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma.

Agartala, Tripura, 20th July, 2026 : Under the aegis of the forest department State Level 77th Van Mahotsav was organised on Saturday (18th July, 2026) at the Chitrangada Kala Kendra, Teliamura. Hon’ble Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma Inaugurated the observance programme by watering and planting a tree there.

Kalyani Saha Roy, MLA and Chief Whip of the Tripura Legislative Assembly graced the event as the chief guest. Among other dignitaries present on the occasion included MLA Pinaki Das Chowdhury, Saha Sabhadhipati of Khowai Zila Parishad Satyendra Chandra Das, Chairperson of Teliamura Municipal Council Rupak Sarkar, Chairperson of Teliamura Panchayat Samiti Dipa Deb, noted social worker Achintya Bhattacharya, CCF of Territorial Division of the forest department Dr.K. Shashi Kumar, DM (Khowai) Rajat Pant, District Forest Officer of Khowai Ashok Kumar, additional SP of Khowai Jastin Joseph and other officials.

The Van Mahotsav celebrations started with the ‘Vande Mataram’ song. Addressing the event Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma said, our responsibility does not end with the planting of a sapling, but we must take care of it for its growth. He said, forest conservation is necessary to save our environment and bio-diversity. He also opined that with the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ programme of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, afforestation movement across the country has received additional momentum. He informed that last year in Tripura around 20 lakh trees were planted. In order to minimise human-elephant confrontations five anti-depredation camps (watch tower) have been set up in Maiganga, North Krishnapur, Chakmaghat, Ghilatali and East Laxmipur area of Teliamura subdivision. Besides, 24 hour helpline has been launched. Trench has been dug along nearly 9 km. stretch to prevent wild elephants entering the human habitations. He said, multiple forest-based development projects like IGDC. JAICA are being implemented and the department has taken various employment generation initiatives that target forest conservation.

Addressing on the occasion Chief Whip of Tripura Legislative Assembly Kalyani Saha Roy said we have to tum tree plantation into a mass movement for the protection of the environment. She said the ecological balance is being affected by the ongoing destruction of forests. In such a context, programmes like Van Mahotsav are playing important role in creating awareness among people about the need to have trees and protect the environment.

Welcome address was delivered by the PCCF R.K. Samal. Guests of the programme handed over Revolving fund cheques to five SHGs of Mungiakami area. Additionally. some persons with remarkable contribution in different fields, Joint Forest Management Committees and organizations were felicitated. The winners of the state level photography contest organized to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 were presented prizes.

A cultural programme was organized by the Teliamura ICA office. From there the Forest Minister virtually inaugurated the five anti-depredation camps. On the part of the forest department plants were distributed free of cost to the participants of the programme. In addition, 16 exhibition stalls were opened there by various government departments and SHGs.

About The Author