Imphal: The Institute of Driver Training and Research Centre (IDTRC), Manipur, in collaboration with the Divisional Forest Office (DFO), Central Forest Division, and the Lions Club of Imphal Paradise, organised a one-day tree sapling plantation programme on Friday at the IDTRC campus in Top Dusara, Yaralpat, Imphal East.
The event was held in connection with the 76th Van Mahotsav celebrations.
Van Mahotsav, meaning “Festival of Forests,” is an annual tree-planting movement in India that began in 1950. Celebrated in the first week of July, the festival aims to create awareness about the importance of trees in maintaining ecological balance and combating climate change. During this week, thousands of trees saplings have been planted across the country in schools, colleges, government offices, and public places.
Vikram Suresh Nadhe, DFO of the Central Forest Division, expressed gratitude to IDTRC for the collaboration while speaking to reporters. “We have been conducting similar tree sapling plantation drives with school students, and selecting a strategic location like the IDTRC campus is a great initiative,” he said. He added that the plantation drive focused on indigenous and fruit-bearing trees. “We chose plants that will thrive here, and the presence of trainees on the campus will help spread awareness and motivation toward environmental conservation.”
The programme was also attended by Shyam Soibam, president of the Lions Club of Imphal Paradise; Shantikumar Naorem, member secretary of IDTRC; M Lakshmikumar Singh, chief advisor of IDTRC; David Singh Athokpam, Range Forest officer, Sawombung Range; BK Sharma, former joint director of Transport and Member/AC of IDTRC; along with members of the All Manipur Inter-State Bus and Allied Transport Association, North AOC, Imphal, among others.
