Question

Van Mahotsav was first initiated in the leadership of which Union Minister of India ?

• A. Shri Sunderlal Bahugu
• B. Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri
• C. Shri Charan Singh
• D. Shri K.M. Munshi

Hint:

Van Mahotsav Quick Facts:
- Founder: K. M. Munshi (1950).
- Timing: First week of July ($1^{\text{st}}--7^{\text{th}}$ July).
- Objective: tiol tree-planting drive.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the Union Minister who initiated the tiol tree-planting festival 'Van Mahotsav' in India.

Step 2: Key Historical Details of Van Mahotsav:

• Initiative Origin: Launched in July 1950.

• Founder: Kaiyalal Maneklal Munshi (K. M. Munshi), the then Union Minister for Food and Agriculture.

• Purpose: To build public awareness regarding forest conservation and encourage citizens across the tion to plant trees during the onset of the monsoon.

• Observance Period: Celebrated annually during the first week of July ($1^{\text{st}}--7^{\text{th}}$ July) across India.

Step 3: Detailed Explation:

• Shri Sunderlal Bahugu was a renowned environmental leader associated with the Chipko Movement (1973), not a Union Minister initiating Van Mahotsav.

• Shri K. M. Munshi envisioned Van Mahotsav as a mass movement ("Festival of Trees") to expand tiol tree cover outside desigted forest lands.

• Millions of saplings are planted across educatiol institutions, government spaces, and agricultural lands during this week every year.

Step 4: Fil Answer:
Van Mahotsav was initiated under the leadership of Shri K. M. Munshi. Therefore, option (D) is the correct answer.