Malkangiri: Van Mahotsav was celebrated at the Government High School of Kyang Panchayat, under the Mathili forest range in Malkangiri district. The event was organized by the Mathili forest division.
Chief guest at the event was Kyang Sarpanch Lakinath Pujari, while Sunadhar Bate, the Head Teacher, addressed the gathering as the key speaker. Ward Member Panchanan Nayak attended the event as the honored guest.
During the program, Mathili Forest Officer Basudev Nayak explained to the school students the importance of Van Mahotsav, environmental conservation, and tree plantation.
Under his leadership, 800 saplings were planted in Kyang village, and 200 valuable forest and fruit-bearing saplings were planted at the new forest department camp.
Latitude: 18.609555
Longitude: 82.134415
Elevation: 259.26 ±8.2 m
Accuracy: 1.3 m
Azimuth: 284° (W)
Pitch: -6.5° (3.2)
In addition, free distribution of various tree saplings was conducted for the villagers. Tree lovers could also collect rare and valuable saplings from a special stall at Govindapalli, by providing a copy of their Aadhaar card and paying just ₹1. These saplings can be planted in homes, fields, or any barren land, as per the information provided by Forest Officer Basudev Nayak.
Forest guards, forest rangers, members of Srishti organization, staff under “Ama Jungle Yojana”, and para-staff actively participated and contributed to the success of the event.
The Forest Officer also informed that Van Mahotsav celebrations and plantation drives will continue in different locations of Mathili and Khairaput blocks over the next seven days.