JAMMU, July 28, 2025 : Stressing the urgency of environmental conservation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday inaugurated the Van Mahotsav 2025 celebrations organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu.
“Climate change is real—its signs are everywhere. We have a responsibility to preserve our planet for future generations. If we cannot improve the environment in our lifetime, we must at least protect it,” said the Chief Minister, urging citizens to embrace the joy of planting trees and transform Van Mahotsav into a people’s movement.
The event witnessed broad participation from tribal communities, students, civil society groups, and senior government officials, including Jal Shakti and Forest Minister Javed Ahmed Rana, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Forest Secretary Sheetal Nanda, and others.
Addressing the gathering, Omar Abdullah stressed the need for a balanced approach to development:
“Development is necessary, but it must be judicious and sustainable. For every tree that is cut, a hundred must be planted. Uncontrolled deforestation must end, and real afforestation—not just on paper—must begin.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully implement the Forest Rights Act, ensuring that its benefits and access to minor forest produce reach the tribal and forest-dwelling communities.
Minister Javed Ahmed Rana underscored the pivotal role of tribal communities in forest protection and proposed that the Tribal Affairs Department be the nodal agency for implementing the Forest Rights Act. He outlined various government initiatives for tribal welfare, including:
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Water conservation efforts in Kandi areas through check dams and rainwater harvesting
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Promotion of eco-tourism and youth employment via the Van Dhan Yojana
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The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, aimed at inclusion, infrastructure, and saturation of welfare schemes
Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani emphasized the deep-rooted cultural significance of forests:
“Forests are not just resources—they are living guardians that sustain us. Traditional tree-planting rituals were acts of reverence and environmental responsibility. We must revive these traditions and protect both forest dwellers and the forests themselves.”
The Chief Minister also handed over appointment letters to newly selected Forest Department recruits and honoured individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to environmental conservation.
