Chief Minister inaugurates Van Mahotsav at Nauni varsity

· Over 500 trees planted during the drive

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sh. Jai Ram Thakur, today inaugurated the Van Mahotsav at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni.

To commemorate the event, the Chief Minister made a brief stop at the university. He planted a sapling of an ornamental tree-Crape Myrtle, at the university’s main gate. Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Speaker Dr Rajeev Bindal, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Sh.Virender Kanwar, Forest Minister Sh. Govind Thakur, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr.Rajiv Saizal and Member of Parliament Sh. Virender Kashyap also carried out plantation on the occasion.

Later in the day, UHF Vice-Chancellor Dr HC Sharma addressed the university staff and students. He thanked the Chief Minister and other dignitaries for launching the plantation drive of the university.

While explaining the importance of trees for the survival of humankind, Dr. Sharma called for collective efforts to conserve existing forests and undertake plantation in newer areas. He said that Van Mahotsav was an event, which not only connected everyone with nature, but was also an important requirement in today’s times. Dr Sharma also called for the support of the all the university employees and students in ensuring the survivability of all the plants.

The participants undertook a plantation drive at the university campus in which over 500 trees of Melia Composita, a fast-growing tree was planted near the staff residences of the university. The local branches of the State Bank of India and UCO Bank along with various societies also supported and took part in the programme.