7 July 2020, 3:12 pm
Sikkim Observed 'A Day For Mother Earth'
This article has been preserved from The Voice Of Sikkim historical news collection and reflects information available at the time of its original publication.
Sikkim Observed 'A Day For Mother Earth'
Gangtok, July 7 (IPR): The Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) attended "A Day For Mother Earth" programme organised by Forest and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim at Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary in East Sikkim today.
It may be mentioned here that the State Government's ambitious project 'A Day for Mother Earth' was launched by the HCM at Kitchu Dumra in South Sikkim last year with its unique feature of observing seven minutes (11:00-11:07 am) of no vehicular movement (except for emergency vehicles) in Sikkim as a step towards nature conservation.
The HCM was accompanied by Deputy Speaker SLA, Shri Sangay Lepcha, Minister for Forest Shri Karma Loday Bhutia, and MP, Lok Sabha, Shri Indra Hang Subba, along with Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Political Secretary to HCM, Confidential Secretary, Advisors, Heads of Departments, Panchayats, forest officials and other dignitaries.
At the onset of the programme, the HCM along with other dignitaries visited Lake Side and Watch Tower at the Fambonglho premises which was followed by a photo session near the stone signage and a visit to the Nature Interpretation Centre and Orchidarium.
Moving on with the event of celebrating nature, the HCM inaugurated the Open Air Biodiversity Threatre at
Golitar premises whereby the ceremonial plantation session was also held.
Extending his warm greetings of 'A Day for Mother Earth' to the gathering, the Hon'ble Chief Minister lauded the efforts of the State Forest Department for successfully holding the event this year as well and extended gratitude to the public at large for diligently observing seven minutes of no vehicular movement this morning.
Defining conservation of forest and environment as a responsibility of every citizen of Sikkim, the HCM appealed to the public at large to take care of Mother Nature throughout 365 days every year. He also pointed out the important lessons learnt during these trying times of the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of health, hygiene, and environment and cautioned all to maintain the safety protocol at all times.
He further urged people to avoid the usage of plastics or any other amenities that could harm the environment and added that plantation and cleanliness drives should be initiated by every individual in their respective areas throughout the year as a contribution towards conserving the environment.
The the Minister for Forest, Shri Karma Loday Bhutia, in his brief speech, talked about how each one of us can contribute for the conservation of our forest and environment.
Touching upon the subject of man-animal conflict, he appealed to all foresters to raise wild edible fruit trees such as Phunchey, Bhadrashey, Amphi, Kattus, Okhar, etc., at the nurseries with full dedication so that the department has the sufficient number of such trees for wide distribution to the public by next year in order to mitigate man-animal conflict in the State. He reiterated the efforts of the State government in the field of eco-tourism and shared plans of creating a source of employment generation for people of rural areas.
During the programme, the Rajya Van Samrakshan Evam Paryavaran Puraskar initiated by the Forest Department was presented to Shri Ratan Raj Pradhan, Primary Teacher of Katuk Vidyasagar Primary School, Ranka, East Sikkim, for his exemplary contributions in the field of environment protection.
The programme also saw the presentation of a citation to former ACF, East, Shri Samdup Tshering Bhutia, for his immense contributions in constructing eco-tourism facilities at Golitar, Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary.
The program also featured the launch of Eco-Tourism Merchandise for Protected Areas in the East District and release of the Story on Fambonglho under the NMHS Nature Learning Centre and release of a book on Conventional Nature Techniques for major trees of Sikkim.
During the programme, prizes and certificates for online painting competition organized by the Forest Department earlier last month were also distributed to the winners.
Likewise, fuel/wood saving devices including induction cookstoves and improved biomass cookstoves were handed over to Lingdok JFMC and Lingdok Namphok EDC.
The Wildlife-East Division under Forest and Environment Department handed over a cheque of Rs. 81,213/- as a contribution towards Chief Minister's Relief Fund to support the State government during the Covid-19 pandemic.