Van Mahotsav: Cultivating A Greener Future For India | Opinion

In a time when the looming threats of climate change and environmental degradation grow more urgent with each passing day, India’s commitment to ecological preservation is highlighted through one of its most vibrant and meaningful celebrations, Van Mahotsav, or the "Festival of Trees," celebrated from July 1 to 7 every year.

Van Mahotsav is not merely a ceremonial observance but a national movement rooted in the principle that the health of our forests is intrinsically tied to the well-being of our people and planet.

The Origins of Van Mahotsav

Van Mahotsav, meaning "Tree Festival," was first initiated in 1950 by KM Munshi, then the Union Minister for Agriculture and Food. The inception of the festival coincided with India's independence, a period when nation-building extended beyond infrastructure to the very landscapes that supported both rural and urban life.

Munshi, a visionary in environmental stewardship, recognised the need to replenish India’s forest cover, which had been significantly depleted due to colonial exploitation and increasing population pressures. His objective was not only reforestation but also to instil a sense of environmental responsibility in the public psyche.

The idea quickly gained traction, and Van Mahotsav became a nationwide movement, with millions of trees planted across the country every year during the monsoon season. The timing is deliberate; July marks the onset of the southwest monsoon in most parts of India, providing optimal conditions for saplings to thrive.

The Importance of Trees in India's Ecosystem

India is home to one of the most diverse ecological systems in the world, ranging from alpine forests in the Himalayas to the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats. Forests cover about 24.62% of the country's geographical area, according to the Forest Survey of India (FSI) 2021 report. These green lungs are vital for a variety of reasons:

Climate Regulation: Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, and play a significant role in mitigating global warming. They act as natural air conditioners, reducing surface temperatures and contributing to local rainfall patterns.

Biodiversity Hotspots: Indian forests are home to an astonishing variety of flora and fauna. Van Mahotsav plays a crucial role in preserving this biodiversity by preventing deforestation and encouraging afforestation.

Livelihood and Culture: For millions of tribal and rural communities, forests are not just resources but a way of life. They provide fuelwood, fodder, medicinal plants, and cultural identity.

Water Conservation: Forested areas help maintain groundwater levels and prevent soil erosion, both of which are crucial for agriculture and the drinking water supply.

India's Forest & Tree Cover

India's forest plus tree cover is 25.17% of land: forest 21.76%, and non-forest tree cover 3.41%. In 2021, Uttar Pradesh (UP) planted a record 25 crore (250 million) saplings in a single day, with an 80% survival rate. This year, newborns between July 1–7 at UP government hospitals and facilities will receive a sapling (usually sheesham or teak) and a "Green Gold Certificate" as part of the Van Mahotsav campaign to plant 35 crore saplings this monsoon.

In 2024, Gujarat’s "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" planted 17.48 crore trees in Miyawaki mini-forests in 122 green belts.

Van Mahotsav Today: Evolving With the Times

Over the decades, Van Mahotsav has evolved from a symbolic tree-planting event to a nationwide ecological campaign. Government bodies, schools, universities, NGOs, and private corporations now actively participate in organising afforestation drives, environmental awareness programs, and sustainability workshops.

In recent years, digital campaigns and social media have added a modern twist to the festival, making it more accessible to the youth. Hashtags like #PlantATree, #VanMahotsav, and #GreenIndia flood the internet during the first week of July, creating a sense of urgency and excitement around environmental stewardship.

Additionally, various state governments launch specialised initiatives during Van Mahotsav. For instance, Maharashtra has implemented the "Green Maharashtra Mission," targeting the planting of millions of saplings each year. Similarly, Telangana’s flagship "Haritha Haram" program has set ambitious goals for increasing forest cover and greening urban spaces.

Challenges Facing Van Mahotsav

While the intent of Van Mahotsav is noble, its implementation is not without challenges. Critics argue that some tree-planting drives focus more on quantity than quality, with little follow-up to ensure the survival of saplings. In some cases, non-native species are planted without considering ecological suitability, potentially harming local biodiversity.

There’s also the issue of land availability in urban areas, where tree cover is rapidly declining due to unplanned development and infrastructural expansion. To counter this, urban forestry initiatives must be integrated into city planning, ensuring green belts, vertical gardens, and rooftop plantations become the norm rather than the exception.

Moreover, community involvement remains uneven. In many areas, Van Mahotsav is viewed as a government initiative rather than a citizen-led activity. Bridging this gap requires inclusive participation models and greater emphasis on environmental education.

Innovative Approaches and Community Success Stories

Across India, several grassroots organisations have redefined Van Mahotsav by linking afforestation with social upliftment and local traditions. In Rajasthan, water-scarce villages have adopted the practice of planting drought-resistant indigenous trees, such as neem and babul. In Tamil Nadu, schoolchildren have been enlisted as "Green Ambassadors," tasked with nurturing trees planted on school grounds.

Some communities celebrate tree-planting as a part of life’s major milestones, births, weddings, anniversaries, and turning Van Mahotsav into a year-round practice. These efforts not only increase tree survival rates but also embed environmental consciousness into daily life.

One inspiring example is the Piplantri village in Rajasthan, where the community plants 111 trees every time a girl child is born. The initiative, which began as a tribute to a young girl who passed away, has transformed the village into a green oasis and an emblem of ecological and gender sensitivity.

The Role of Youth in Sustaining Van Mahotsav

India’s demographic advantage lies in its youth, and their involvement is crucial to the long-term success of environmental movements. Educational institutions play a pivotal role by incorporating tree-planting activities into their curricula and extracurricular programs. Student-led eco-clubs, green campuses, and sustainability drives have become common features during Van Mahotsav week.

Digital tools have further empowered young people to make meaningful contributions. Mobile apps now allow users to track the growth of planted trees, share geotagged photos, and even monitor forest cover using satellite data. Such innovations foster a sense of ownership and accountability.

Looking Ahead: Van Mahotsav as a Sustainable Legacy

As India aspires to meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, including creating a carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030, the relevance of Van Mahotsav becomes even more pronounced.

But the festival’s future lies not just in expanding the number of trees planted, but in reimagining our relationship with nature. This involves integrating ecological thinking into policymaking, urban planning, education, and culture.

The success of Van Mahotsav should be measured not only by statistics but by its ability to cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious citizens. It is a reminder that while governments can lead, true change must come from the ground up, quite literally.

Conclusion

Van Mahotsav is more than a ceremonial observance; it is a clarion call for ecological responsibility. In an age of environmental crises, it offers hope and a path forward, one tree at a time. As India continues to urbanise and modernise, it must remember that its ancient wisdom revered forests as sacred.

Today, Van Mahotsav rekindles that reverence, urging us to plant not just trees, but seeds of a greener, more sustainable future. Let this festival not be a week-long event but a lifelong commitment to the Earth, to our children, and the generations yet to come.

(Note: Dr (Prof) Sadhana Kala is a USA-trained robotic & laparoscopic surgeon, Uppsala University, Sweden, trained fertility specialist, Icon Endoscopic Surgeon of North India, and National Icon Endoscopic Surgeon of India. She is rated as India's Best Gynaecologist by Google.)

(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author.)