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

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.

Music Album of Marwari Film "Khoto Sikko" Released

GANGTOK, Oct 14 : Sikkim tourism is steadily achieving national acclaim and the 19 tourism-related awards that the State has received so far bears testimony to this, State Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel said here today.

“We have so far received 19 tourism-related awards from various organizations and tomorrow Sikkim will receive another award taking up the total to 20 awards,” he added. He was speaking at the release of the Marwari film Khoto Sikko developed by a local filmmaker. The music of the first-ever contemporary Marwari film was released today by Bhim Dhungel. The Minister informed that Sikkim will be receiving the award from the India Traveller group and the award will be presented tomorrow at New Delhi where Resident Commissioner Arvind Kumar will receive the award on behalf of the State government.

Highlighting the vast tourism potential of Sikkim, Dhungel said Sikkim is rich in culture tourism, adventure tourism, eco-tourism and heritage tourism which are in demand in the tourism market. “Our biodiversity, rich culture and peace-loving people will also boost our tourism potential,” he added.

Sikkim houses several scenic places and the State government is doing its best to promote these areas, Dhungel said, adding the State government was giving thrust to tourism in order to encourage the local youth towards promoting tourism-related services. The State government is according priority to create more man-made attractions, he added.

A special screening of the film Khoto Sikko was also done at the Press Club of Sikkim (PCS) premises here. According to the director-producer of the film Rakesh Somani, Khoto Sikko is the first ever Marwari feature film in the world and would be ready for release in the first week of November.

He explained that the Marwari language, being spoken in the native area of the community in Rajasthan, was different from the language being spoken by the people who had migrated to the other parts of the nation.

“With the influence of various cultures and languages, particularly Hindi, a new face of Marwari language had emerged, which was different in both vocabulary as well as the prosody when compared to the classical variants spoken in various parts of Rajasthan,” Somani said. The shooting of the film started on May 20 and will be released after Diwali. The film runs over two-and-half hours and has seven songs. The movie was shot in Sikkim and West Bengal. The star cast in the film are from Sikkim, West Bengal and Nepal.

“The storyline of the film is based on the popular Marwari proverb ‘Khoto Sikko,’ meaning a useless coin, a spoilt brat helps in adversity,” said Bajgai.

(UNI)

International Rhododendron Fest in Lachung in 2010

GANGTOK, October 9: The State Forest and Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel today sanctioned a Harvest Water Tank for Yumthang bungalow and also directed the department for the renovation of Yumthang Hot Spring as part of the various activities taken up for the International Rhododendron Festival 2010 to be held at Lachung in North Sikkim in May 2010
During the inspection of various activities and discussion related with the ensuing rhododendron festival held today, Mr. Dhungel said the festival is not only for domestic but a global initiative. The minister also informed that special guests from International Rhododendron Society like USA, Canada, UK, Switzerland, Nepal and Bhutan will be participating in the International Rhododendron Festival 2010.
Mr. Dhungel was accompanied by Hissey Lachungpa (Political Advisor to CM), Secretary Tourism SBS Bhadauria, Secretary Forest ST Lachungpa, Chief Conservative of Forest Chezum Lachungpa, Chairman STDC Nim Tshering Lepcha, SDM Chungthang Tashi Chopel, representatives from TAAS, Pipons of Lachung and other dignitaries.
During the discussion, Mr. Hissey Lachungpa stressed that at least the accommodation for 100 car parking facility should be constructed at Yumthang and also informed that the Department should form a committee to look after it.
The secretary tourism from his part suggested that garbage should not be disposed at Yumthang valley and informed the department to dispose it in some other places. Regarding the renovation of Yumthang Bungalow he said that the Bungalow should look like a traditional structure.
During his two days visit, the minister visited Yumthang valley where he had a discussion with the various committee members. He also visited different tourist spots in North Sikkim like Khangchendzonga Eco Tourism Park at Naga, Rock climbing at Mangan, butterfly park at Rangrang, Thingchim Lake and the Bio Engineering Work and Soil and Moisture Conservation at Rangrang slides.
The next meeting regarding the festival is slated for October 15 at the Conference Hall of Forest Secretariat, adds a press release.

Kyi Di Khang students excel in Inter-School spelling contest

Gangtok,Sep19: CARE, a Gangtok based NGO  conducted first Inter-School Spelling Contest in Gangtok at Palzor Namgyal Girls Senior Sec. School.The contest involved a total number of 1200 students from 22 schools from in and around Gangtok.
The three round contest which initially began with a selection round held at the respective Schools followed by the second round Seminfinals held at two zones in PNG and Greendale concluded with Six schools competing against easch other.
Praknit Gurung of Class IV and Sonam Uden of Class V of Kyi Di Khang secured first rank in the CARE Spelling Bee contest held on Sep18 .Bhim Dhungel,Minister for State Tourism & Forests was present as Chief guest. The test is conducted to improve the spelling skills of students in six categories. Difficulty-level varies for each category.