Van Mahotsav, also known as the Festival of Trees, is an annual week-long tree-planting festival celebrated in India from July 1st to July 7th

 Van Mahotsav, also known as the Festival of Trees, is an annual week-long tree-planting festival celebrated in India from July 1st to July 7th. It was initiated in 1950 by K.M. Munshi, the then Union Minister for Agriculture and Food, to raise awareness about the importance of forests and encourage tree planting. The festival coincides with the monsoon season, making it an ideal time for planting trees. 

History and Origin:

The festival was conceptualized in 1950 by K.M. Munshi, but the idea of a tree-planting festival in India was initially conceived by M.S. Randhawa, a Punjabi botanist, who organized a tree-planting week in 1947. 

The first official Van Mahotsav celebration took place in 1950, with a tree planted at Rajghat, Delhi, by K.M. Munshi. 

The event was initially celebrated in various parts of India with the participation of prominent leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, who also emphasized the importance of forests and tree planting. 

Significance and Objectives:

Van Mahotsav aims to promote afforestation, combat deforestation, and raise awareness about the importance of trees for ecological balance and environmental sustainability. 

It highlights the cultural and environmental significance of forests, emphasizing that forests are not just a commodity but are revered in many parts of India. 

The festival encourages community participation in tree-planting activities, fostering a sense of responsibility towards nature and the environment. 

It helps in mitigating climate change, preventing soil erosion, supporting biodiversity, and improving air and water quality. 

Celebration in 2025:

Van Mahotsav 2025 will be celebrated from July 1st to July 7th, with the first week of July being the designated period for the festival. 

Various organizations, including schools, colleges, government departments, and local communities, will participate in tree-planting drives and awareness campaigns. 

The festival will be celebrated across India, with different regions potentially organizing specific events and activities. 

Delhi, for instance, plans to launch Van Mahotsav 2025 with a pledge to plant 7 million trees according to the Hindustan Times. 

Uttar Pradesh is also planning a large-scale plantation campaign with over 35 crore saplings to be planted. 

From 2000 to 2024, India experienced a net loss of 2.31 million hectares of tree cover, equivalent to a 7.1% decrease since 2000. While India also gained 1.78 million hectares of tree cover from 2000 to 2020, the overall trend indicates a decline in forest cover. 

Key Points:

Overall Loss: India lost 2.31 million hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2024. 

Primary Forest Loss: The country also lost 348,000 hectares of humid primary forest from 2002 to 2024. 

Tree Cover Gain: Despite the losses, India gained 1.78 million hectares of tree cover between 2000 and 2020. 

Causes of Loss: Shifting cultivation, permanent agriculture, and logging were major drivers of tree cover loss. 

State-Level Losses: Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, and Meghalaya experienced the most significant tree cover loss among northeastern states. 

Global Perspective: India's tree cover loss contributed to 1.4% of the global total increase in tree cover from 2000 to 2020. 

Data Sources: Global Forest Watch (GFW) is a key source for tracking these changes.