Sri Vijaya Puram, July 13: As a part of month-long celebration of 76th Van Mahotsava, the South Andaman Forest Division organized an Inter-Panchayat Knockout Football Tournament at the Mini Stadium, Wimberlygunj, from 1st to 12th of July, 2025. The Tournament was organized to foster a sense of Environmental Consciousness among the youth as well as the general public.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from all the Panchayats wherein they have extended support by sending a Football Team for the Tournament. During the event the general public were enthusiastically engaged in witnessing football matches all throughout the week. The tournament was envisaged as a source of entertainment and a platform for the youth to build and promote teamwork and discipline.
Final Match of the Tournament was held today i.e. 12/07/2025 between the teams of Gram Panchayat Mannarghat and Gram Panchayat Stewartgunj in which the Team of Gram Panchayat Mannarghat won the tournament with 2 goals. In the Final Match Dr. A. Anil Kumar, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Territorial), Department of Environment and Forests, Andaman & Nicobar Islands was the Chief Guest. Mr. Ashwin J. Parihar, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, South Andaman and Mr. R. S. Sharath, SFS, Assistant Conservator of Forests (HQ) also graced the occasion.
In line with the special initiative by the Prime Minister of India “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” 2.0 Campaign, seedlings of fruit bearing species were distributed among all the Pradhans of Gram Panchayat and Players of Foot Ball Match with a request to plant the seedling within the premises of their house.
During the Event three executive staff of the Division were applauded with a commendation certificate and a memento recognizing their best performance during the year 2024-25 toward detection of Forest and Wildlife Offence cases. Mr. P Mohd. Shafique, Forest Guard, Mr. Mahananda Gharami, Forest Guard and Mr. P. Viyakanta, Forest Guard were among the three achievers.
