Himachal CM Launches Van Mahotsav Campaign With 350 Moringa Plants

Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh: The 77th state-level Van Mahotsav in Himachal Pradesh has carried a message of nutrition along with environmental protection through the plantation of moringa, commonly known as drumstick. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the campaign by planting a moringa sapling at Dadhol Kalan in Nihari forest beat of the Manglaot forest area, under the Ghumarwin Assembly constituency of Bilaspur district, on 14 August.

The plantation drive was held in the forest area falling under the DPF (Demarcated Protected Forest). Under the NPV scheme, around 1,000 plants of different species, including nearly 350 moringa plants, have been planted across five hectares of forest land.

The state government has presented the initiative as an effort to link environmental protection with awareness about the importance of medicinal plants. The plantation of moringa was also intended to encourage people to grow the plant and understand its nutritional importance and usefulness.

Van Mahotsav is not limited to planting trees. It also conveys the message of protecting nature, maintaining environmental balance and adopting a healthy lifestyle. Through the state-level event, the government selected moringa, a plant known for its medicinal properties, to spread awareness about both environmental conservation and nutrition.

The initiative has focused on increasing green cover through plantation while also drawing attention to the usefulness of moringa, or sahjan. The government’s effort is gradually beginning to take shape through the state-level Van Mahotsav. The plantation programme has been used to explain the connection between nutrition and the environment and to encourage people to give useful and nutritious plants a place around them.

Moringa is widely known as sahjan and is considered rich in nutritional properties. It is also identified by different local names in different areas. The plant has several uses, and its various parts are used in food and traditional practices.

Its leaves, flowers, pods and seeds are useful. Its bark and roots have also traditionally been used. The pods are cooked as a vegetable, while the plant is also used in South Indian dishes to prepare sambar. Its leaves can be added to different food items, creating more opportunities to include nutrients in the daily diet.

The plantation of moringa has therefore been used as a way to take the message of the Van Mahotsav to people. The message is that, along with protecting nature, people should also make space around them for plants that are useful and provide nutrition.

The basic aim of Van Mahotsav is to motivate people to plant trees and help them understand the importance of conserving natural resources and medicinal plants. The state government’s initiative is also expected to promote awareness about the household use of medicinal plants and nutrition through a major programme such as Van Mahotsav.

Himachal Pradesh Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani said that moringa contains approximately 17 types of nutrients. He described it as a “magic plant”.

“Once it grows, all its parts, including its leaves, flowers, bark and roots, are useful,” Rajesh Dharmani said. He added that its fruit is used to make a vegetable and that it is also used to prepare sambar.

The minister said the state government had attempted to create broad public awareness by planting moringa through the state-level Van Mahotsav. The aim, he said, was to encourage people to grow the plant and remain healthy by taking advantage of its medicinal properties.