India, July 5 -- V an Mahotsav, or the Forest Festival, celebrated every year in the first week of July, has truly taken root in the Capital. Recently, Bharat Mandapam hosted an exhibition dedicated to the theme, but the green festivities don't stop there. Across the NCR, residents have turned tree planting into a year-round ritual - and, of course, a social media moment. From throwing seed bombs to journaling about their saplings, many are finding new ways to keep the cause alive beyond traditional plantation drives. "It's more than just a green habit - it's a fun ritual that lets you reconnect with Nature," says Sanya Mitra, a second-year student at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU). She adds, "For me and my friends, tree planting has become another one of our regular outings. We love being among the greens during the rains and making our contribution to the city. We lost so many trees in the windstorms recently, and that has added momentum to our cause." "There's something about planting in the rain that feels fulfilling and kind of magical," shares Rajeev Kumar from Think Good Foundation (087506 05092). "Our mission is to plant 100 crore trees across the country, and we've already planted over eight lakh. The monsoon brings fresh energy and multiplies our impact. Every weekend, we host drives in Greater Noida where around 50 volunteers join in - young students, families with kids, even corporates looking to bond outdoors. Everyone pitches in, from making seed bombs with bamboo, babul, jangal jalebi, papri, and baken, to watering and composting saplings. It's not just about planting trees - it's a whole community vibe." But it doesn't end at planting. "Most people ask whether the tree they plant will actually be looked after," says Dhirender Sharma from Delhi Greens (9811330214), "That's exactly what we take pride in. We ensure no one has to worry - our team follows up to nurture and maintain every tree. If you want to volunteer, you can join one of our drives, or even invite us to your college, office, or neighbourhood to host one. Anyone can reach out and be part of the initiative." And if tree planting is the buzzword, Gurugram's own "Tree Man," Deepak Gaur (9313709050), is all in. Giving his mission a social media spin, he shares: "I wanted to create something that connects with today's generation - people who love photography and social media. That's how the concept of the Three P's was born: Plantation, Procurement, and Presentation. First, participants plant a tree and document the moment. Then comes Procurement - where they keep recording the tree's journey: watering, caring, and helping it grow. Finally, there's Presentation, where they share details like the tree's age, location, and any threats it faces. I get so many emails from young professionals and students who want to reconnect with Nature in a real, lasting way."...