The 74th Vana Mahotsav was celebrated at different places of Nuapada district in cooperation with Divisional Forest Office, Khariar Division on Saturday.
The Mahotsav in Birighat High School was held by students and teachers in the presence of Ranger Sanskruta Badnayak and foresters Kandarpa Sunani, Naresh Dandsena, Tushar Bhoi, Swagatika Das and Sarada Badmali.
The Mahotsav was also held in Kusmal and Kodaldonhri villages. Saplings of different indigenous species of trees were planted by the participating students, teachers, officials, parents and school management committee members. A sapling sale centre was opened at Khariar by the Forest Department which was formally inaugurated by Ranger Badnayak. Naresh Dandsena, Tushar Bhoi, Swagatika Das, Sarada Badamali attended the inaugural meeting. The officials asked people to avail saplings from forest nursery at Khariar.
"We have been working to save the almost extinct medicinal, fruit and forest species," said the officials.