Ukhrul: Ukhrul Forest Division has brought laurels to the district by being awarded the prestigious Award under the category “Maximum Number of Saplings Plantation – Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (EPMKN) 3.0” during the State Level Green Finale of the 77th Van Mahotsav Celebration, 2026 which was held today at the City Convention Centre, Imphal. The programme was graced by The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur, Yumnam Khemchand Singh as the Chief Guest.
The award was presented by the Hone’ble Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Losii Dikho along with other officials on the dais.
The award which recognizes the exceptional efforts of Ukhrul Forest Division, which successfully planted 4,31,493 saplings between 5th June and 14th July, 2026 under the nationwide campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 3.0” was received by Laishram Gitla, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer(DFO), Ukrhul.
The Divisional Forest Officer, Ukhrul expressed gratitude to every stakeholder whose enthusiastic participation demonstrated that environmental conservation can only succeed through community ownership and partnership. The DFO further appeals to the citizens of Ukhrul to protect, nurture and ensure the survival of every seedling planted today. In the event of any casualties, she requests that community members undertake casualty replacement next year by collecting new seedlings from the Division.
She also mentioned that the remarkable achievement was made possible through the wholehearted participation of the District Administration Officers, Village Authorities, NGOs, CSOs, Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, educational institutions, churches, security forces, orphanages, youth organizations & Self Help Groups. Remarkable contribution in plantation comes from the Water Resource Conservation Groups (WRCGs) of 23 villages under the Community-Based Sustainable Forest Management for Water Resource Conservation in Manipur (COSFOM), making the campaign a true people’s movement.
The recognition today is expected to inspire greater public participation in future afforestation and environmental conservation programmes, further strengthening Ukhrul’s position as a leading district in community-driven forest conservation in Manipur, she added.
Chaired on the dais were the Chief Minister, Yumnam Khemchand Singh; the Deputy Chief Minister, Losii Dikho; Anurag Bajpai, Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest & Head of Forest Force; Arun Kumar Sinha, Principal Secretary, Forest, Environment & Climate Change; Prof. Sumitra Phanjoubam, Vice Chancellor, Manipur University; Sagolsem Bina Devi, President, JFMC (Joint Forest Management Committee), Khamaral and Km. Naorem Roshibina Devi, Arjuna Awardee.
