Van Mahotsav was launched in year 1950 by Shri Kanaiyalal M. Munshi, union minister of agriculture and food.

Van Mahotsav is a week-long festival of tree planting organised every year in the month of July all across India and lakhs of trees are planted. It has been an important step in controlling deforestation. It also increases production of fruits, provides fuels and uses cow dung waste as manure. It also reduces soil erosion and air pollution.