Poshan Maah 2026 Promotes Nutrition, Health, Hygiene and Early Childhood Learning Across Chandigarh

Chandigarh, October 6, 2026:Under Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026, a series of community-based activities were organised across Anganwadi Centres and communities to promote nutrition, health, hygiene, immunisation and early childhood development among children, mothers and families.

At Anganwadi Centre, Behlana, a joyful storytelling and rhyme session was conducted for children on various themes including vegetables, animals and fruits. Children participated enthusiastically and learnt about different food items, animals and their surroundings through engaging stories and rhymes, creating a joyful and interactive learning environment.

At the Creche Building, Dadumajra Colony, an awareness session on the importance of immunisation was conducted by the LHV and ANM. The beneficiaries were sensitised about timely vaccination and its role in protecting children from preventable diseases.
An Anaemia Screening Camp and PMMVY Awareness Camp was organized at Maloya Circle. During the camp, beneficiaries were screened for anaemia and provided with information regarding the importance of anaemia prevention and management. They were also sensitized about the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), including its benefits, eligibility criteria and registration process, to facilitate wider access to the scheme.

A Slogan Writing Competition was organized at Mauli Colony. Children and beneficiaries enthusiastically participated in the activity and expressed their thoughts through creative slogans highlighting the importance of nutrition, healthy eating habits and a balanced diet. The activity aimed to spread awareness about the significance of proper nutrition and encourage community participation in the Poshan Maah campaign.

As part of the Home Visit activities, beneficiaries and families were sensitised on several important nutrition and health-related topics, including balanced nutrition for all age groups, hygiene and nutrition, reduction in consumption of excess oil and sugar, and the importance of herbal plants. Home visits were also undertaken to counsel mothers on the importance of complementary feeding and preparation of nutritious complementary feeding recipes using locally available ingredients.

Further, awareness sessions and lectures were organised on oral hygiene, food fortification and micronutrients. Field functionaries also focused on the identification and management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) children, along with regular growth monitoring to ensure timely identification and follow-up of children requiring nutritional support.

These activities under Poshan Maah 2026 emphasised the importance of community participation, preventive healthcare, healthy dietary practices and early childhood care, while encouraging families to adopt simple and sustainable nutrition and hygiene practices in their daily lives.

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Forest & Wildlife Department Organises Butterfly and Bird Walks to Promote Awareness and Appreciation of Urban Biodiversity

Chandigarh, 6 October 2026: As part of the ongoing celebrations of Wildlife Week 2026, the Department of Forest & Wildlife, Chandigarh, organised a Butterfly Walk at Butterfly Park, Chandigarh, on 5 October 2026, followed by a Bird Walk at City Forest, Sukhna Choe Forest, on 6 October 2026. The events aimed at fostering awareness and appreciation of the rich biodiversity of Chandigarh and encouraging greater public participation in wildlife conservation.

The Butterfly Walk witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, volunteers, nature enthusiasts and officials of the Department. During the walk, participants were provided detailed insights into the life cycle of butterflies, their habitat requirements and the crucial role of host and nectar plants in supporting butterfly populations. Shri Kulbhushan Kanwar, who acted as the resource person, shared valuable information on butterfly ecology and their significance in maintaining ecological balance.

Shri Saurabh Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, UT Chandigarh, joined the programme as the Chief Guest and interacted with the participants. He observed that butterfly parks provide an excellent platform for nature education and for creating awareness about the intricate relationship between butterflies, host plants and the wider ecosystem. He emphasised that such experiential activities help young participants develop a deeper understanding of biodiversity and foster a sense of responsibility towards its conservation.

From Encroached Slum to Biodiversity Paradise: A Remarkable Ecological Transformation of Colony No. 4, Sukhna Choe Forest. Continuing the Wildlife Week celebrations, a Bird Walk was organised on 6 October 2026 at City Forest, Sukhna Choe Forest, in association with students of Panjab University, led by Dr. Ravneet Kaur and Shri Vikram Jit Singh. The session provided participants an opportunity to observe and understand the diverse avifauna of the forest ecosystem. More than 40 bird species were recorded during the walk, highlighting the rich bird diversity present within the urban forest landscape of Chandigarh.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Anup Kumar Soni, Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Chandigarh, emphasised the ecological importance of birds and their role as an integral link in the functioning of ecosystems. He highlighted that birds contribute significantly to seed dispersal and pollination, act as natural scavengers and serve as important indicators of the health and ecological condition of an ecosystem.

The programmes were attended by Shri Satyendra Maurya, DCF, Chandigarh, along with officers and field staff of the Forest & Wildlife Department. The enthusiastic participation of students and volunteers reflected growing interest among the younger generation in nature, wildlife and biodiversity conservation.

The Department reiterated its commitment to promoting nature education, citizen participation and awareness-based conservation, particularly by providing opportunities for students, nature enthusiasts and the wider community to experience and understand Chandigarh's diverse natural heritage.

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Two-Day Archery Tournament Begins in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, October 6, 2026:The Sports Department, Chandigarh Administration today started a two-day Archery Tournament for boys and girls in the Under-14 and Under-19 age groups at the Lake Sports Complex, Chandigarh. Around 65 young archers from Chandigarh are taking part in the Recurve and Compound events.

The tournament, being held from October 6 to 7, 2026, gives young players a chance to showcase their skills, compete with others and gain valuable experience. The final rounds will be held on October 7, after which the winners and medallists will be felicitated.

Winners in each category will receive cash prizes of ₹5,000 for first place, ₹3,000 for second place and ₹2,000 for third place