GANGTOK: ‘Forests: Nature at your Service’ was the theme for this year’s World Environment Day celebration organized by the Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department in coordination with Human Resource Development Department at Chintan Bhawan on June 5. It may be mentioned here that for the first time, India is the global host of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) World Environment Day 2011. The Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling was the Chief Guest on the occasion and he was accompanied by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Cabinet colleagues, MLAs, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chief Secretary, senior Government officials Teachers, Students, NGOs and media personnels.
Addressing the gathering the Chief Guest Mr Pawan Chamling mentioned that Sikkim is a blessed land and the diverse Sikkimese culture has always embodied and identified nature as an integral part. The State Government has also conceptualized new and innovative ideas in preservation and conservation of fragile ecosystem. Sikkim’s rich natural resources have attracted global attention as it is recognized as one amongst the 18 biodiversity hotspot in the world, he added. ‘This wealth has to be conserved and protected to ensure that our future is secure and my vision is to create hundred percent environmentally conscious citizens’ said the Chief Minister and also solicit cooperation and involvement in the green Sikkim development of the State.
Emphasizing on the importance of youth participation, he expressed that in order to inculcate a scientific temperament in the students, the Green Fund is also created in the Schools and environment related subjects are also taught. The Students has been targeted in a big way for raising environmental awareness programmes under the Green School Programme of the State Government, whereby 182 schools has been registered at the Secondary and Senior Secondary level, he added. This programme is action oriented and enhances a student’s hands on knowledge on the best practices of environment conservation and in the same manner he also asked the students to come forward in conservation method as the future lies in their hand.
Highlighting on the several policy decisions to conserve the Himalayan ecosystem which have been taken and implemented successfully by the present Government, Chief Minister said that development is taking place in the State in tandem with the ecological conservation from the way back in 1994. He also urged the students to create an environment- friendly lifestyle and to propagate on food habit and to be a capable and responsible citizen as well. Besides, he also appealed the gathering to support in their true spirit to the Government missions in making Sikkim an ultimate ecotourism destination.
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| Mr Bhim Dhungel |
Minister for Forest, Mr Bhim Dhungel in his speech said that the pace of conservation has been accelerated during the last one and half decade under the dynamic leadership of Mr Pawan Chamling. Furthermore, he also mentioned about the Forest Department initiatives in greening the State.
The programme also witnessed the presentation of the State level Green School Awards to the top five Schools which was bagged by Government Secondary School, Middle Camp, East Sikkim, Government Secondary School Reshi, West Sikkim, Government Secondary School, Lower Samdong, East Sikkim, Government Secondary School, Lingchom, West Sikkim and Government Secondary School Linkey, East Sikkim respectively. The Chief Minister presented the Certificate, Leaf trophy and a cheque to these schools.
An innovative and inspiring Chief Minister’s Green School Rolling Trophy was awarded to the Government Secondary School Middle Camp with a Certificate and leaf trophy and a cheque of Rs. 50,000 which is amongst the best performing schools. The Chief Minister also announced the additional funds to these Schools.
The Government of India has approved and sanctioned funds to 45 participating Organisations for implementing National Environment Awareness Campaign 2011 with the theme Biodiversity Conservation and the four NGOs were randomly selected and were given funds by the Chief Guest.
On the occasion, a movie clippings on the Forest, Environment and Wildlife was also screened and an Environment Oath taking ceremony administered by the Secretary, HRDD, Mr C.S. Rao to the students.
Earlier, Mr. S.T. Lachungpa, PCCF-cum- Secretary, Forest also presented a report and the welcome address was delivered by APCCF-cum- CWLW.
Sikkim Mail
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