Sri Vijaya Puram,July 1: The Biological Park, Chidiyatapu, Department of Environment & Forests kick-started the Van Mahotsav 2026 celebrations with a ceremonial plantation drive, marking the beginning of the week-long nationwide festival dedicated to tree planting, environmental conservation, and public participation in protecting the Islands’ rich biodiversity.
Inaugurating the plantation drive as the chief guest, Shri Ravi Horo, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)-cum-Chief Wildlife Warden, A&N Islands, said that Van Mahotsav is not merely a tree-planting programme but a nationwide movement that inspires collective responsibility towards protecting forests and preserving ecological balance. Highlighting the nationwide campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ he urged every citizen, especially the younger generation, to actively participate in forest conservation and adopt environmentally sustainable practices.
Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Shri Joju P. Alappatt, IFS, Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) also attended the programme, along with departmental officers, staff, frontline personnel, and workers of the Biological Park.
A major highlight of the celebration was the enthusiastic participation of students and teachers from Government Primary School, Chidiyatapu. The chief guest, dignitaries, school children, officers, and staff planted native tree saplings within the park premises, symbolising their collective commitment to enhancing green cover and conserving the unique biodiversity of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
As part of the programme, the students were taken on an educational tour of the Biological Park, where they learned about native flora, wildlife conservation, and the Park’s role in biodiversity conservation and environmental education.
