31st day of Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling's village to village tour

Gangtok: For implementation of projects, Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling has emphasized on preparation of social estimates and public hearing of the schemes in the Gram Sabha before execution of the projects. “The project implemented should be transparent in every aspect as the people have every right to know about the schemes being implemented in their areas. Public hearing of the projects should be mandatory before starting the work in the field”. This was said by Chief Minister on Saturday, July 23, the 31st day of his village to village tour.

Regarding the various demands received from the public during the tour and sanctioned by him in principle on the spot he said, the people’s demand shall be brought before the coming assembly and passed in the house in the interest of the people. A compilation of the demands shall be brought out in a book form and sent to the gram panchayat, he said.

Giving a strong message to the departments, he said that the present practice of the field officers preparing estimates without knowing about the field requirement should be henceforth done away with. The field officers should personally visit the field and study the actual field requirements and feasibility of the projects before preparing the estimates he said and added Estimates as per the field requirement will be prepared “which will meet the purpose for which projects are implemented”.

Talking to students about the present education system and its impact on the society, Chief Minister said that the system of education which has become a medium of producing doctors, engineers and professionals from a human being has ceased to be value based. The prevalent education system which is not value based is creating problem in the world. “So, my dear students, the education should be value based and it should produce not only successful people but also good citizens”, he said. In this context he gave the example of Gandhi, Nelson Mendela, Abrahim Lincon and many others who were good citizens and changed the world for better and are remembered and revered throughout.
At the same time Dr. Chamling also cited the example of Hitler, Osama Bin laden and their likes “who were successful people but were not good citizen and were terror for the world and destroyed the world for their interest”. He asked the students to differentiate the distinguished people and learn from their lives.
“In order to see the problems faced by the people in nook and corner of the state and to see for himself the ground reality, this village to village tour will be made a yearly event of the government”, Chief Minister said.

At Saku the co-operative society of West Pendam GPU felicitated Chief Minister.

He was also at Duga by the beneficiaries of Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Scheme who were allotted houses under “Kutcha House Free State Mission”.
At Saku the Gram Panchayat Sachiv of West Pendam Gram Panchayat Pratap Rai his donation of land measuring 30ft x 33ft each to four poor villagers of the GPU for construction of houses under Kutcha House Free State Mission. The land documents were handed over to the four beneficiaries through the Chief Minister at a public function.
During the day long tour the Chief Minister addressed the people at Duga, Pachak, Central Pendam and Saku.

(With IPR input)

The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee against hydel power project on the Rathung Chu

Gangtok, July 21: The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (Siblac) today wrote to Union environment and forest minister Jayanthi Natarajan, objecting to the clearance granted to a 99MW hydel power project on the Rathung Chu, a river considered holy by the Sikkimese.

The committee contends that the clearance was given despite the ministry of environment and forests stating earlier that it had not received any proposal on the project.

Three power projects — Lethang (96MW), Ting Ting (99MW) and Tashiding (97MW) — had been planned over the Rathung Chu, a tributary of the Rangeet river. The Lethang project had been rejected by the standing committee for the National Board for Wildlife in October last year following objections from Siblac, which had pointed out that the proposed project would hurt the “religious sentiments” of Bhutias and Lepchas.

According to documents collected by Siblac, the ministry of environment and forests on July 4 communicated its environmental clearance to a private company that is developing the 99MW Ting Ting project, 140km from Gangtok.

This clearance, Siblac convener Tseten Tashi Bhutia said, was given within two-and-a-half months of then environment minister Jairam Ramesh saying his department was not aware of the Ting Ting project nor the other one proposed over the Rathang Chu.

On March 16, Ramesh had written to the National Commission for Minorities member from the Northeast, Spalze Angmo, saying of the three power projects initially proposed over the Rathung Chu, the 96MW Lethang project had been rejected by the standing committee of National Board for Wildlife. As far as the other two projects are concerned, the proposals had not been received by the ministry, Ramesh had said. Angmo had taken up the matter with the Centre on behalf of Siblac.

“Ramesh had stated categorically that his ministry was not aware of the Ting Ting and Tashiding projects. How come this controversial project got environmental clearance? We request an impartial probe,” said Tseten Tashi in his letter to Union environment and forest minister Jayanti Natarajan.

“We believe there is some communication gap within the ministry but we cannot allow our religious sentiments and history to be wronged by it. While giving the environmental clearance to the Ting Ting project, the ministry stated that there is no national park, sanctuary, biosphere reserve or historical monuments in the vicinity of the project area. But the proposed dam of all the three projects is located within 10km of the Kanchenjungha National Park,” said Tashi.

The Siblac convener has substantiated this claim before Natarajan with an RTI reply. The dam of the proposed 99MW Ting Ting and Tashiding power projects falls within 10km of the boundary of Kanchenjungha National Park, the state forest department had submitted in response to the RTI query

Sikkim Attempts Revival of Dried Lakes

Gangtok: 7th July:During the recent village tour of South and West districts, the Sikkim Chief Minister Chamling had raised concerns about the drying up of lakes and had directed that revival and regeneration should be initiated. In this respect, an inter departmental meeting was organized by RM&DD, chaired by Minister RM&DD, Shri C.B.Karki in the presence of Minister Forest, Shri Bhim Dhungel and other senior officers from Forest, Mines and Geology and RM&DD. The need to adopt a scientific approach, duly taking into consideration the catchment, geology, geohydrology and hydrometeorology was highlighted in this meeting. The initiative to revive Nagi lake by piping spring water from far away and the recent studies on reviving select lakes conducted by Mines and Geology Department as well as ACWADAM, Pune (Advanced Centre for Water Resources Development and Management) were also presented. During the meeting it was decided to take up the revival of 10 dried up lakes in the first phase by taking up recharge measures along the lines of Dhara Vikas. The strategy for revival would be to develop the lake as a recharge structure and not as a cemented storage structure. Only soil and moisture conservation works, afforestation, contour trenches and dug-out-ponds would be constructed in the recharge area to trap the surface runoff. An action plan for revival would be prepared by a joint team with representatives from the three departments who would be visiting the field shortly. The composition of this joint team to prepare the scientific revival plan was also finalized.

10 Minutes to Earth Initiative in Sikkim

Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh

Sikkim Chief Minister

GANGTOK, 26 June: Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh planted a Cherry sapling at the Chintan Bhawan complex on Saturday morning as part of the “Ten Minutes to Earth” initiative of the State. The Chief Minister planted a Rhododendron Arboreum (Guras) sapling at Smriti Van, Bulbuley. Sikkim observed this unique initiative from 10 A.M. to 10:10 A.M. across the State on Saturday as a collective effort to contribute towards the green cover.

The Governor was also accompanied by the Gangtok MLA, Dorjee Namgyal, and officials of the Forest Department.Speaking to media persons after plantation, the Governor, in his message to the people on the day, called on all to contribute towards the protection and conservation of the environment and place Sikkim in the forefront as the best ecologically managed State of the country.

Ten Minutes to Earth is a voluntary movement unique to Sikkim and has been observed every year since 2009.

Under this dedication, saplings are provided by the Forest Department at various places designated as seedling booths.

Plantation drives, along with workshops and seminars are held across the state on the theme as part of the initiative.

Invoke friendship ‘Mith’ ties with trees - Pawan Chamling

Gangtok: Sikkim Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling on Sunday June 5 invoked an ancient friendship tie ‘Mith’, practiced by Nepali speaking community, to attract present-age school students to an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

The practice, ‘Mith’ ties one person with another person outside his clan in an eternal friendship bond passed down to each successive generation. Once a person pledges ‘Mith’ with another individual, both are part of each other’s happiness and sorrows in life. However, such long lasting friendship bond is out of fashion in today’s world.

“The lifestyle of students in Sikkim must be environmentally friendly and we want Sikkim to be exemplary in the world toward environment protection. Let us from today start a new concept of pledging ‘Mith’ with trees so that we protect them for generations”, said Dr. Chamling while addressing students and senior government officials during the World Environment Day celebrations here at Gangtok organized jointly by forest and human resource development departments.

“Our community had the practice of declaring ‘Mith’ with one another. That person whom our forefathers used to have ‘Mith’ was dearer than the family members and such tie goes on for generations. So, let us now pledge such tie with trees in our neighbourhood. I request the students to initiate this concept”, said the Chief Minister.

Highlighting initiatives taken by his government since 1994 towards protection of forests and wildlife in Sikkim, Dr. Chamling also proposed another measure to derive economic benefit by protecting large trees in the State.

“In other places, there are big trees which are revered and protected by local communities as ‘Devi Thans’ or ‘Mother Tree’. Let us also have this concept here in Sikkim and integrate it with tourism. We will scout for large trees in Sikkim and term them as ‘Blessing Trees’. Then put them in tourism brochures and spread word around that by hugging such ‘Blessing Trees’, one’s wishes will be fulfilled. We can also charge money from tourists for hugging these trees and the whole exercise becomes productive”, said the Chief Minister.

Chamling also presented ‘Chief Minister’s Green School Rolling Trophy’ to Middle Camp government senior secondary school on the occasion for having the most environmental conscious students among the 182 schools in Sikkim registered as ‘Green School’ under the forest department.

The award also carried a cash prize of Rs. 50,000. The next top four schools also received Green School award with a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 each. The awards had been institutionalized from this year.

As a further green encouragement towards students, the Chief Minister announced to enhance the Green School Rolling Trophy prize amount to Rs. 5 lakhs and Green School prize amount to Rs. 1 lakh each. He directed the department concerned to issue the remaining amount to Middle Camp government senior secondary school and other four schools immediately.

“These students are doing great service towards protection of environment and what they will do with a mere Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 25,000? If they received Rs. 5 lakhs or Rs. 1 lakh, at least they will be able to do some visible work in their schools. Let us have large hearts while working to protect environment”, said Chief Minister.

“Under the Green School programme, we have 182 schools registered at secondary and senior secondary levels and the programme seeks to enhance a student’s hands on knowledge on the best practices of environment conservation”, said forest secretary Mr. ST Lachungpa.

World Environment Day celebrated at Gangtok

“My vision is to create hundred percent environmentally conscious citizens” says Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling

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.

The programme started with the lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries on the dais, followed by the series of Book release, Logo and Sticker. Mr M.L. Arrawatia, Chairman SPSC presented a brief synopsis of a book titled ‘Biodiversity of Sikkim’- Exploring and Conserving a Global Hotspot. The Chief Minister also released SBFP JICA Newsletter and Logo, Go Green Sticker and Logo of the Himalayan Zoological Park.

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.

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

World Environment Day in North Sikkim by WWF-India

GANGTOK, 03 June: WWF-India has been working towards biodiversity conservation through participation of the local communities in the state for more than ten years. One of its main focus has been the conservation of high altitude wetlands in the state, fragile environments providing multiple benefits including water security, refuge for wildlife and tourist attractions.

Following a conservation model implemented in Tsomgo with conservation issues monitored by the Pokhari Sanrakshan Samity there, focus has also been given to Gurudongmar, one of the highest lakes in the world and a major tourist destination in North Sikkim. Conservation plans have been worked out in collaboration with local governance institutions like the Lachen Dzumsa, organizations like the Lachen Tourism Development Committee to ensure effective protection to the fragile high altitude environment of the lake while continuing sustainable tourism practices.

As part of the ongoing conservation activities in Lachen and Gurudongmar, WWF-India Khangchendzonga Landscape Programme, in association with Lachen Tourism Development Committee, is organizing a two-day celebration of World Environment Day, 2011 on 04 and 05 June at Lachen and Gurudongmar as part of its High Altitude Wetlands conservation Project in Sikkim.

The major activities include a garbage cleaning drive planned for Lachen on 04 June. This will be followed by a second drive at Gurudongmar on the occasion of World Environment Day on 05 June, again with participation from WWF, LTDC and Lachen Dzumsa.

It is hoped that these drives will generate major awareness regarding sustainable management of waste in two of the major tourist attractions in the state.

Two notice boards providing information on Gurudongmar and Do’s and Don’ts for the visitors will also be put up near the lake on the day. In recent years, the influx of tourists has increased manifold in Gurudongmar and while the cold desert environment restricts many anthropogenic activities with potential to cause disturbances, management of waste and ensuring that the lake environs are clean is a major issue. Dustbins aimed at proper management of wastes will also be distributed for placing at strategic locations in Lachen as part of the programme

Forestry: Capacity building workshop@Gangtok

Protect forests and support positive development, says Bhim Dhungel
 Gangtok: Mr. Bhim Dhungel, Minister, Forest, highlighted the importance of the frontline staff being well informed on the latest developments in field of forestry in order to be more efficient in their workings. “We should aim at protecting forest as well as support positive development”, he said.

The Minister as chief guest at the inaugural session of the workshop said, the forest officers have a big responsibility to fellow human beings and we should strive to work towards providing maximum benefit to the common man. He advised all to be dedicated and sincere in their work and stressed on the importance of the role of the Head Forest Guards in the Forest Department. “The senior forest guards should serve as a role model for the newly recruited guards”, he said. They are the most important medium of communication between the public and the Department and works like Green Mission, ten Minutes to greenery and other works can only be successful if the forest guards take the sole responsibility of creating awareness amongst the general public.
He appealed to all that to work on lines of modern and scientific forestry and contribute substantially for the overall improvement of Forestry in Sikkim.
The PCCF-cum-Secretary in his address at the session highlighted several points. He said, over a period of 100 years of forestry in Sikkim the State has witnessed some major developments in the Forestry Sector. It was the 10th Chogyal of Sikkim Sidkeong Tulku who introduced the concept of Scientific Management of forest resources by establishing the Forest Department. Since then the Department has shown incremental progress in the Management of Forest as is evident with the increase in Forest cover of the State of Sikkim. Now we are witnessing a major overall “paradigm shift” in Forest Management with the introduction of the concept of “Working Plan”.

A working plan is an extensive document, it is a written scheme of management aiming at continuity of policy and action, and controlling the treatment of Forest. The treatment depends on the objective to be achieved. It may be economical, protective or for aesthetic purpose. A forest brought under the Working Plan for the first time is divided into convenient administrative units called “Compartments” The compartments are generally designated by Arabic numerals and have as far as possible natural or artificial or permanently maintained boundaries. The size of the compartment is decided taking into consideration the total population of the area, vulnerability of the forest area against encroachment, other biotic and abiotic factors etc. Hence each compartment has a map, history and other details of the area, the Secretary said.
The main objective of this workshop is to impart a refresher course to the senior frontline staff of the Forest department namely Head Forest Guards, Block Officers & Range Officers so that they become conversant with the recent developments. It is also to sensitize and create awareness on newer and improved policies, research works and techniques. Such Capacity building of the frontline staff is essential because they serve as an important linkage between the Department and the villagers. Such trainings will enable development of an efficient and effective medium for the delivery of Forestry Services to the public at large.
Mr. Bhim Dungel, Minister, Forest, highlighted the importance of the frontline staff being well informed on the latest developments in field of forestry in order to be more efficient in their workings. We should aim at protecting forest as well as support positive development. The forest officers have a big responsibility to fellow human beings and we should strive to work towards providing maximum benefit to the common man. He advised all to be dedicated and sincere in their work and stressed on the importance of the role of the Head Forest Guards in the Forest Department. “The senior forest guards should serve as a role model for the newly recruited guards”, he said. They are the most important medium of communication between the public and the Department and works like Green Mission, ten Minutes to greenery and other works can only be successful if the forest guards take the sole responsibility of creating awareness amongst the general public.
He appealed to all that to work on lines of modern and scientific forestry and contribute substantially for the overall improvement of Forestry in Sikkim.

Sikkim Environment, bio-diversity in peril

Gangtok,May08 : The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has said that the environment and bio-diversity in Sikkim have been threatened by construction of hydel power projects and absence of government safeguards.
The state government has not taken sufficient precaution against degradation of environment and bio-diversity by drawing up a catchment area treatment plan and protection of riverine fishes, the CAG in its report for the financial year 2008-09 said.
The CAG criticised the forest, environment and wildlife management department in particular as well as the independent power producers (IPP) for failure to set down a plan to address potential degradation of the environment.
The department, the CAG says, has failed to prepare an annual plan for protection of wildlife, preservation of bio-diversity and development of infrastructure although it received Rs 26.37 crore from six IPPs towards cost for compensatory afforestation and catchment area treatment. etc.
The CAG also pointed out that the aquatic life in Sikkim faced a grave threat in the wake of change in the ecology of the river system due to creation of reservoirs, fluctuation in natural river discharge and diversion of river water through closed tunnels.
Source: PTI

Forest is mother of rivers: Bahuguna

Gangtok,Nov14: Propounder of Chipko Andolan against construction of dam at Tehri garwal, Uttarakand , and mass deforestation in the 70s, environmentalist Mr. Sunder Lal Bahuguna is here at the capital with a message “Save Himalaya, Save Water, Save Lives”. He has come here with his wife Bimla Bahuguna and Kishore Upadhaya, another environmentalist from Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference Thursday he said, “No Himalayas, no water, no water no life”. He voiced against construction of big dams and mass deforestation. Small dams should be constructed so that environment and wildlife can be saved. Priority should be given to solar energy and wind energy, he said. Forest is mother of all rivers so they must be protected as river recharges ground water table, he said.
He had earlier met the governor in the morning and had discussions.

Chipko Movement leader lauds Sikkim’s green mission

GANGTOK, November 13: Applauding the efforts of the State Government in pioneering innovative steps with the launch of the State Green Mission and the recently concluded ten minutes to greenery programme, renowned environmentalist and recipient of Padma Vibhushan Sunder Lal Bhauguna said the experiment of Sikkim in regard to forestry and environment conservation should be brought in the notice of all the hilly regions including the Government of India so that they can understand the importance of forest and frame the policy likewise in protection and preservation of forest.
Mr. Bahuguna was here for a two-day visit to the State as part of the ‘Save Himalayan Campaign’ to create environmental awareness and emphasize on the need for more humane and ecologically sensitive development plans for the Himalayan region.
Addressing the State Forest officials during a programme held at the Forest conference hall here today, the Chipko Movement leader said, Sikkim can play a lead role among the States in the Himalayan belt in terms of environment protection. “Today protection and safeguarding of forest has become an essential fact as even the scarcity of water is felt everywhere,” he pointed out while calling for more forestation drive.
He added that the drafting of the new environmental policy would enhance the spirit in saving the environment further more.
On the occasion, C Lachungpa, Chief Conservator of Forest, (Landuse) also made a power point presentation on the green initiatives taken by the State.
Earlier, the State Forest Minister Bhim Dhungel felicitated Mr. Bhahuguna, who was accompanied by his wife Bhimla Bahuguna, his son Rajiv Bahuguna, and Dr. Kishore Upadhya.
India’s renowned scientist also visited Himalayan Zoological Park at Bulbuley and planted Rhododendron saplings in the vicinity of the Governor’s House, few kilometres above Gangtok town.
Later in the day, the Save Himalayan team interacted with the members of the Voluntary Health Association of Sikkim (VHAS) wherein Bahuguna called for more participation from the local NGOs in giving momentum towards tree farming, which he added was the only way to save the Mother Nature.
A delegation of eminent citizens led by renowned environmentalist Sunderlal Bhauguna who have undertaken the Save Himalaya campaign on September 30 to sensitize people on the fragile ecology of Hiamlayan States of India stressed on the point that the framing and the regulation of proper environmental policy is the need of the hour to tackle the issues related with the Himalayas.
Kishore Upadhaya, the convenor of the mission said, the campaign will now head towards north east holding interactive meetings with maximum involvement of the youth.
'Dr Doma Bhutia, the legal consultant of Human Rights Law Network, Sikkim Chapter earlier placed a brief introduction of Mr. Bhaugana and his success story on the successful campaign of the world famous ' Chipko' Movement.

Environmentalist Bahugana calls for sustainable policy for Himalayas

GANGTOK, November 13: Noted environment activist and leader of the historic ‘Chipko’ movement of Uttarkhand, Sunderlal Bahugana has called for a sustainable policy for environment friendly development of the entire Himalayas.
Bahugana, who is an Padma Bibhushan awardee, said to media here at Press Club of Sikkim today that since the Himalayas are the only source of water for a large part of the country, their conservation is essential not for the hills only but also for the whole of the country. There should be a policy framework to sustain the Himalayas in the most natural way possible to ensure constant supply of oxygen and water for the very survival of the people inhabiting around the world’s highest mountain range spread over several thousand kms, he said.
Stressing on prioritizing solar, wind and bio-energy over mega hydel power projects for catering to the energy needs, Bahugana urged the journalists to create public opinion in favour of conservation of water sources in the hills and also for evolving such a development policy which ensures effective conservation of natural resources and scenic beauty of the hills while bringing prosperity to the people of the mountainous regions.
Uttarkhand legislature Kishore Upadhayay who is also the convernor of the movement led by Bahugana said that the team is on a mission to bring the MPs, MLAs and governments of all Himalayan States on a single platform to raise their voices. He said that a national level convention in this regard will soon be organized to highlight the issues.
The team called on Governor BP Singh today morning.

Sikkim eager to protect the environment around the Himalayas, says Chamling

Gangtok,Nov13:  Sikkim government will always like to become a willing partner in the regional endeavour to protect the Himalayas, Chief Minister, Pawan Kumar Chamling has said.

Mr. Chamling made the commitment to noted environmentalist Sundarlal Bahuguna’s call to the countries and states located in the Himalayas to evolve a policy to protect the mountain range from the impact of global warming and climate change.

The state government has taken a series of measures to protect the environment since Sikkim Democratic Front came power in 1994, Mr. Chamling told Mr. Bahuguna in a meeting here on Thursday.

There was a ban on grazing of cattle, free distribution of LPG cylinders in rural areas to dissuade the people from using woods and forest resources for fuel and constitution of a commission to study the glaciers were some of those measures, he said.

Bahuguna criticises Sikkim govt on hydel projects

Gangtok, Nov 12 (PTI) Criticising the Pawan Kumar Chamling government in Sikkim for tapping hydel potential for commercial benefits, noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna today alleged that construction of several hydel projects in Sikkim amounted to a "destructive act" against the ecology of the "greenest" state of the country.

"The hydropower projects in Sikkim are a destructive act against the ecology and environment of Sikkim which is a part of the Himalayan mountain range," he told reporters here in reply to a question about his views on the construction of dams in thick forested areas in North Sikkim.

Power generation by disturbing water resources emanating from the Himalayans cannot be justified, Bahuguna said and flayed the Chamling government for seeking to commercially tap them, through "destruction of the forest cover and the fragile landscape

Environment activist Sunderlal Bahuguna in Gangtok

Environment activist Sunderlal Bahuguna (centre) in Gangtok. Bahuguna arrived in the Sikkim capital on Thursday as part of his Save Himalaya campaign after touring the north-eastern states. Bahuguna was one of the champions of the Chipko movement in Garhwal, which resulted in a 15-year ban on tree-felling in 1980 in the region. Picture by Prabin Khaling

GREEN BONUS’ FOR SIKKIM

13th Finance Commission to decide quantum of Green Bonus: Jairam Ramesh
GANGTOK, November01 : Sikkim joined the exclusive list of five Himalayan States which will be getting ‘green bonus’ from next fiscal for conserving forests that act as carbon sinks.
The Centre plans to release green dividends and a green bonus to the Himalayan states from the next financial year as a compensatory measure for protecting their ecology, Union Environment & Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said yesterday on the concluding day of the two day meet at Shimla on the environment of the five Himalayan States – Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarkhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
ML Arrawatia, Science & Technology department had represented Sikkim in the meet.
Green bonus was one of the points raised by the hilly States during the meet requesting the Centre to provide sufficient funds to the State Governments for protection measures of the Himalayan environment, said Arrawatia over phone from New Delhi to SIKKIM EXPRESS.
According to news reports, the Union Environment & Forest Minister Ramesh said that the 13th Finance Commission will be deciding the amount of the ‘green bonus’ for the Himalayan States including Sikkim.
The commission is expected to submit its report by December and it would be left to the States to distribute the ‘green bonus’ to the stakeholders.
“We may start with a small amount to begin with,” Ramesh said while announcing the ‘green bonus’. “My concept is that the states which are conserving ecology... should be compensated”, he added.
The Sikkim Science & Technology secretary said that the initiatives taken by the Sikkim government for protection of environment was well appreciated by the participants during the conclave.
In his presentation during the meet, Arrawatia pointed out to the delegates that Sikkim has already set up a glacier study and climate change commission and research work is already in progress. A climate change council under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister has already been set up in Sikkim.
Arrawatia also informed about the implementation of environment cess in Sikkim and State Green Mission besides highlighting about the ‘10 Minutes to Greenary’ initiative taken by Sikkim government early this year to commemorate Earth Day.
The initiatives taken by Sikkim government were very well appreciated and the environment protection model of Sikkim found good response, told Arrawatia over phone.
The Environment Ministry in August had estimated that forests, which cover 25 per cent of the country’s area, could absorb up to 11 per cent of India’s green house gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
The ‘green bonus’ is also expected to strengthen India’s proposal of seeking funds from the rich countries for conserving forests under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) at the Copenhagen climate change conference in December.
Till now, the mechanism enables developing countries to get fund for offsetting green house gas emissions through use of cleaner technologies.
Mr. Ramesh further said that the Centre was also considering taking the snow-covered areas above 4,000 metres altitude out of the definition of forest land, which would benefit all the 12 Himalayan states.
On the conclusion of the meet yesterday, a Shimla Declaration was signed by five Himalayan states which was released by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal who said the Himalayan states had resolved to jointly face the challenge of climate change and sustainable development.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokharyal said: 'Out of 9,000 glaciers in the Himalayas, as many as 1,439 are in our state. Global warming is melting glaciers speedily, threatening flora and fauna of the Himalayas. There is a need for change in lifestyle of the people, reduce emission of greenhouse gases and increase green cover to compensate the damages.'
Jammu and Kashmir's Environment and Forests Minister Mian Altaf Ahmed expressed concern over the climate change, which was adversely affecting the horticulture in his state.
Sunita Narain, director of the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi, said that the environment had emerged as global political issue, which needed to be taken in right spirit for the benefit of all

Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling to attend Himalayan states environment conclave in Shimla

Gangtok, Oct 27 : The impact of climate change in the Himalayan region will be high on the agenda when the chief ministers of five northern states meet in Shimla on Thursday during a conference.

The two-day conference, starting October 29 here, would be attended by the chief ministers of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttrakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, besides senior officers, technocrats, research scholars and NGOs, Additional chief secretary (Environment) Sarojni Ganju Thakur told reporters today in Shimla.

Union minister of state for Environment and Forest (Independent charge), Jairam Ramesh, will also be present during the conclave on Indian Himalayas, she added.

She said that delegates would discuss the issue of changing landscape of Indian iimalayas, Implications of climate Change on eco lystems and Livelihoods.

She said that glaciers were receding very rapidly in the Himalayan states due to change in climatic conditions. She said that recent studies in Himachal show that there was a 21 per cent decline in the size of glaciers in the state.

The feed back from the two day conclave would be added to national level Chief Minister’s and Environment Ministers’ Conference with the Prime Minister to formulate a uniform strategy and action plan for checking enviornment degradation.

She said that feed back from the consensus on the broader issues related to environment, emerging out of the conclave would also be implemented as Action Plan at the state level and would be formulated as the Himalayan Preservation Mission.

She said that prominent NGO’s, institutions and self help groups from the Himalayan states have also been invited to attended the two day conclave.

Yuksom mulls over ‘Zero Waste’

GANGTOK, October 25: The Mountain Institute (TMI)-India jointly with Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee organized a pre-consultation meeting at Yuksom yesterday which was attended by Yuksom secondary school principal along with teachers, block officer (KNP), members of local tours and travel operators.
A press note informs that the meeting included the presentation on the present waste management practice at Yuksom by Kinzong (KCC) followed by a presentation on ‘Zero Waste’ concept by Nima Tashi from TMI-India. This presentation was followed by a group discussion on the key emerging issues like a need for a proper waste segregation centre, proper monitoring, awareness among service providers, and involvement of community, Community Based Organizations, Self Help Groups and other stakeholders.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was to have an immediate consultation workshop of the stakeholders at Yuksam to decide on a proper long-term strategy for waste management. A tentative date has been fixed on November 13 and the final date, programme schedule will follow after having a discussion with some key stakeholders
An appeal has been made for all kind of support and innovative ideas from all stakeholders in making ‘Yuksom-Dzongri, a Zero Waste destination’.

Melting Himalayan glaciers endanger Bhutan,Sikkim and North East India

Mount Jomolhar the highest peak in Bhutan.

Reports indicate that the melting of the Himalayan glaciers is threatening the kingdom of Bhutan, the impacts of which will adversely affect the entire South Asian region including Bhutan,Sikkim and north-east India.

According to a report in Nature News, glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating faster than in any other part of the world and they could disappear completely by 2035. This puts the mountainous nation of Bhutan at a special risk. In an area smaller than Switzerland, it has 983 glaciers and 2,794 glacial lakes, some of which have burst to produce deadly glacial lake floods.

A nation without even its own helicopter, Bhutan lacks the resources to combat global warming. It is carrying out the work at Thorthormi glacier with the help of money from various international donors.

As the first nation to get adaptation money from the Least Developed Countries Fund, Bhutan is something of a pioneer among developing nations in their quest to adapt to a warmer future, and the struggles at Thorthormi glacier illustrate the enormous obstacles that adaptation efforts still face. It is only within the past decade that researchers realized that Thorthormi could pose a threat. Thorthormi’s ponds were expanding and merging to form larger bodies of water. The changes have been dramatic even in the past few months. “Just before we started our work here in July this year, that part of the lake was water,” said Karma Toeb, the project’s glaciologist and team leader, pointing down to a number of icebergs. “The ice blocks have been breaking off the mother glacier upstream,” he added.

According to Thinley Namgyel, the deputy chief environment officer at the National Environment Commission in Thimphu, “A few decades down the line, the glaciers will retreat and we are not sure what impact it will have on the economy.” But, the impacts of the melting of the Himalayan glaciers will reach far beyond Bhutan’s borders. The glacier-fed rivers that flow south from the Himalayas are the arteries of south Asia.

It is estimated that the retreat of glaciers will affect the water supply of roughly 750 million people across South Asia and China, according to Rajendra Pachauri, the chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Across Asia, there are countless cases like Thorthormi, where the needs are great and the resources scarce. Regarding the effects of climate change and their costs, “every single estimate that people have come up with has been exceeded by reality”, said Dr. Pachauri. “The impacts of climate change are clearly turning out to be much worse than what we had anticipated earlier,” he added.

Study On Snow and glacier of Sikkim Himalaya

Cause for fear
State concerned by report from UN panel on global warming, glacial melting.

Will assess potential impact of climate change on its eco-system, livelihood.

Receding glaciers may be disastrous to hydel power plants being built.



Gangtok, October15: Alarmed by the steady rate at which glaciers in the Himalayas are receding, the Sikkim Government has constituted a Commission to study the state of the glaciers and its impact on the water system in this tiny Himalayan State.

The nine-member Commission is headed by Prof. S. Hasnain, Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi.

The Commission will review the current status of glaciers and snowmelt and potential impact of climate change on the mountain eco-system and suggest measures for modem scientific and technological intervention.

The Commission will also compile information from primary and secondary sources on glaciology, assess the potential impact of climate change on the mountain eco-system and livelihood in Sikkim, and suggest inter-disciplinary remedial steps.

Hydro projects


This has come at a time when the Sikkim Government has drawn up ambitious plans to harness the vast hydro-power potential of the State and has 23 hydro power projects in the pipeline.

Six mega power projects are being planned on the Teesta, the biggest river in the State, of which the 510-MW Teesta Stage V power project is nearly complete and is scheduled to be commissioned in December.

Sikkim has large number of glaciers which are natural reservoirs for the supply of water to the major river systems of the State. Reports by the UN inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change regarding global warming and glacial melting have set alarm bells ringing in the State.

Likely impacts


The receding glaciers and recurring phenomenon of glacial lake-outburst floods that have been recorded in the entire eastern Himalayan region, could directly impact the livelihood of a huge mass of hill and mountain people, as well as prove disastrous to the array of hydel power plants being built in the Teesta and other river basins in Sikkim and neighbouring States like West Bengal.

The Chief Minister, Mr Pawan Chamling, had written to the Prime Minister in August, extending the State Government’s keenness to be associated with the working of the high level advisory group on climate change — the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change — constituted by the Union Government.

By Sarikah Atreya