I am highly pleased to know that World Environment Day is being observed in our State with its crucial global theme “Melting Ice- a hot topic?” We are aware that with each passing day, the issue of environmental degradation and ecological instability is increasingly discussed amidst climate experts issuing their starkest warning yet about the impact of global warming ranging from hunger in Africa to a fast thaw in the Himalayas.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) set up by the United Nations, in its fourth assessment report, predicts that three-fourth of India’s forests will undergo dramatic changes and its two biggest catchments of Ganga and Brahmaputra will pose a grave risk of flooding to the region. The risk is multiple in nature from dip in productivity impacting millions of lives to tropical cyclones coupled with increase in sea surface temperature of 2-4 degrees Celsius. The Asian countries are surely to bear the brunt of the climate change including hunger, drought and rising seas. In India alone, the per capita water availability will drop from around 1,900 cubic metres currently to 1,000 cubic metres by 2025. In the Himalayas, glaciers less than four kilometers long will disappear entirely if average global temperatures rise by 3 degree Celsius. This will initially cause increased flooding and mudslides followed by an eventual decrease in flow of rivers that are glacier-fed.
Amidst these burgeoning global concerns and the emerging reports, Sikkim as a Himalayan State, has always played out its responsible part with sustained commitment and contributed towards global effort in whatever small way possible. In fact, issue of environmental concern in Sikkim was adequately spelt out only after late 1990s, when we took over the reign of government. You are aware that we started undertaking environmental conservation measures by observing Harit Kranti Varsh annually and initiating massive afforestation drive across the State. And every subsequent year, we have upgraded our conservation measures by instituting various environmental campaigns including ban on grazing and felling of green trees in the reserved forest, ban on use of plastic, Green Funds, Smriti Bans, State Green Mission Plan, with some very ambitious provisions to generate community awareness and increasing the State Forest Cover.
I am happy that Sikkim has recorded an increase in forest cover from 42.3 % in 1991 to 45.97 % in 2005-06. In the last Budget presentation in March 2007, I have also proposed the constitution of an Expert Group to study the state of Glaciers and its impact on water system in Sikkim. This step was necessary as there has been increasing retreat of glaciers in Sikkim which would spell disaster for Sikkim’s fragile economy and may even lead to devastating floods and ultimate dryness in rivers of Teesta and Rangit. The latest cyclonic winds and lightening strikes in the State uprooting trees, electric posts and houses and causing mudslides and landslides are grave indication.
The Rongbuk Glacier of Mount Everest on the Tibetan plateau is generally seen as a sensitive barometer of world climate condition. The glacier, it is reported, has been experiencing accelerating glacial melt and other ecological changes with the mountainous region’s melting at an average rate of 131.4 sq km per year in the last 30 years. Among the top emitters, the United States accounts for 40 percent of the total emission, whereas the percapita green house gas emission of India accounts for less than four percent. Therefore, unlike the Kyoto Protocol where the United States failed to implement the recommendation, all developed nations will have to shoulder greater responsibility to cut emission and combat climate change.
On this occasion, I send my warm greetings to all the governmental and nongovernmental organizations, social workers and individuals working in the field of nature conservation. I also urge them to work further with greater commitment to take up the environmental challenge based on collective partnership to ensure that all nations and people enjoy a more safer and prosperous future.
With best wishes
Pawan Chamling
Chief Minister
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) set up by the United Nations, in its fourth assessment report, predicts that three-fourth of India’s forests will undergo dramatic changes and its two biggest catchments of Ganga and Brahmaputra will pose a grave risk of flooding to the region. The risk is multiple in nature from dip in productivity impacting millions of lives to tropical cyclones coupled with increase in sea surface temperature of 2-4 degrees Celsius. The Asian countries are surely to bear the brunt of the climate change including hunger, drought and rising seas. In India alone, the per capita water availability will drop from around 1,900 cubic metres currently to 1,000 cubic metres by 2025. In the Himalayas, glaciers less than four kilometers long will disappear entirely if average global temperatures rise by 3 degree Celsius. This will initially cause increased flooding and mudslides followed by an eventual decrease in flow of rivers that are glacier-fed.
Amidst these burgeoning global concerns and the emerging reports, Sikkim as a Himalayan State, has always played out its responsible part with sustained commitment and contributed towards global effort in whatever small way possible. In fact, issue of environmental concern in Sikkim was adequately spelt out only after late 1990s, when we took over the reign of government. You are aware that we started undertaking environmental conservation measures by observing Harit Kranti Varsh annually and initiating massive afforestation drive across the State. And every subsequent year, we have upgraded our conservation measures by instituting various environmental campaigns including ban on grazing and felling of green trees in the reserved forest, ban on use of plastic, Green Funds, Smriti Bans, State Green Mission Plan, with some very ambitious provisions to generate community awareness and increasing the State Forest Cover.
I am happy that Sikkim has recorded an increase in forest cover from 42.3 % in 1991 to 45.97 % in 2005-06. In the last Budget presentation in March 2007, I have also proposed the constitution of an Expert Group to study the state of Glaciers and its impact on water system in Sikkim. This step was necessary as there has been increasing retreat of glaciers in Sikkim which would spell disaster for Sikkim’s fragile economy and may even lead to devastating floods and ultimate dryness in rivers of Teesta and Rangit. The latest cyclonic winds and lightening strikes in the State uprooting trees, electric posts and houses and causing mudslides and landslides are grave indication.
The Rongbuk Glacier of Mount Everest on the Tibetan plateau is generally seen as a sensitive barometer of world climate condition. The glacier, it is reported, has been experiencing accelerating glacial melt and other ecological changes with the mountainous region’s melting at an average rate of 131.4 sq km per year in the last 30 years. Among the top emitters, the United States accounts for 40 percent of the total emission, whereas the percapita green house gas emission of India accounts for less than four percent. Therefore, unlike the Kyoto Protocol where the United States failed to implement the recommendation, all developed nations will have to shoulder greater responsibility to cut emission and combat climate change.
On this occasion, I send my warm greetings to all the governmental and nongovernmental organizations, social workers and individuals working in the field of nature conservation. I also urge them to work further with greater commitment to take up the environmental challenge based on collective partnership to ensure that all nations and people enjoy a more safer and prosperous future.
With best wishes
Pawan Chamling
Chief Minister
