Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 1: The month-long celebrations of the 77th Van Mahotsav 2026 concluded in Rangat on Friday with a renewed call for greater public participation in forest conservation, as officials stressed that protecting natural resources requires sustained community involvement beyond plantation campaigns.
The valedictory function was organised by the Middle Andaman Forest Division at Rangat, bringing together senior civil and police officials, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Heads of Departments, students and members of the public to mark the conclusion of the annual environmental observance.
Deputy Commissioner of North and Middle Andaman, Sushant Padha, attended the programme as the chief guest, while Superintendent of Police, North and Middle Andaman, Vikas Swami, was the guest of honour. Assistant Commissioner, Rangat, Deepanshu Vohra, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Rangat, Mahendra Singh Charan, along with PRI members and Heads of Departments, were also present during the event.
Addressing the gathering, Padha said environmental conservation is a shared responsibility and urged citizens to actively participate in protecting forests. He also appealed to people to nurture and care for the trees planted during the Van Mahotsav celebrations, emphasising that sustained public participation is essential for long-term conservation efforts.
Speaking on the occasion, Swami highlighted the importance of collective community action in safeguarding natural resources. He encouraged the younger generation to take an active role in environmental protection and become ambassadors for conservation initiatives within their communities.
Divisional Forest Officer, Middle Andaman, Vikas Yadav, outlined the activities undertaken during the month-long observance. He said the celebrations included plantation drives, awareness programmes, competitions, a mini marathon and several other initiatives aimed at promoting environmental awareness and encouraging public participation.
The concluding ceremony also featured cultural performances by students of Vivekananda Kendra Zilla Parishad Vidyalaya, Rangat, and St. Xavier’s School, Rangat. Students of ITI Bakultala, along with staff and workers of the Middle Andaman Forest Division, presented skits highlighting environmental themes as part of the programme.
The event concluded with the distribution of prizes to winners of various competitions organised during the month-long Van Mahotsav celebrations, marking the close of the 77th edition of the annual festival dedicated to environmental conservation and community participation.
