The 69th Van Mahatsov was jointly observed in Kokrajhar with various programmes among the students and public on Sunday.
The BTC Forest Department, CHD BTC Tourism & Environment Department in association with the 135 Battalion of Eco Task Force observed the Van Mahotsav at Bodoland University premises among the students’ community.
BTC deputy chief Kampa Borgoyary planted saplings in front of Bodoland University in Kokrajhar on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that the BTC Forest Department has emphasized on healthy forest conservation in the region.
The Commanding Officer of the 135 Bn Eco Task Force, A S George, BTC Tourism CHD Mohan Brahma, Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar, Bodoland University students, staff, Eco Task Force, Forest Department employees and other people took part in the Van Mahotsav.
Col AS George, Commanding Officer, Eco Task Force, said the programme was a joint initiative.
Col George said, besides the BTC deputy chief, officers, DFOs, JCOs and jawans along with other civil dignitaries and university students planted various saplings in the Bodoland University campus.
He also said, “The Van Mahotsav was started by Kulapati Dr KM Munshi, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Food in 1950 to spread awareness on forest conservation and planting of saplings among the masses. It is now a week-long festival, celebrated on different days in different parts of India, between July 1 to July 7.”
Another programme was attended by Assam Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma where she had distributed saplings among people at Titaguri as part of the week-long Van Mahotsav.
Niranjan Baruah, Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar, Mohan Brahma, CHD, Tourism Department, BTC, Sekhar Brahma, Registrar of Bodoland University were also present in the Van Mahotsav plantation programme.