Port Blair, Aug. 1: As a part of the celebration of 74th Van Mahotsava 2023, a valedictory function was organized in the conference hall of Middle Andaman Forest Division yesterday wherein Shri Subrato Basu, Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad, N&M Andaman District was the chief guest and ex-forest officials who had served in the Forest Department under various capacities were the guests of honour. In his address, the chief guest emphasized the need for planting trees and maintaining green cover as well as forest cover for the betterment of A&N Islands.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Abdul Qayum, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Middle Andaman appreciated school students for participating in various competitions which were held during the month long celebrations. He also highlighted the role of youth in conserving nature and natural resources.
A quiz competition was also organized for the school students in which the students of GSSS Swadeshnagar bagged the first position while the students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Panchwati and GSSS Sabari Junction bagged the second and third position respectively. Various cultural programmes were also organized by the school students on the occasion. A short video presentation displaying the activities carried out by the division during the month long programme was also shown.
A ceremonial planting of fruit bearing saplings was carried out by the guests. Various prizes were also distributed among the school students who had participated in various competitions organized as part of the celebration of Van Mahotsava by Middle Andaman Forest Division. PRI members, local officers and school students attended the valedictory funtion. Shri Anil Saha, ACF, Middle Andaman welcomed the gathering while Smt. R. Barkha, Forest Ranger proposed the vote of thanks.