ENVIS Hub: Sikkim
Status of Environment and Related Issues

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN SIKKIM

Sikkim is a small Indian State known for its clean and green image. The State enjoys good air and water envrionment and hosts more than 25% of the country's biodiveristy. Amidst several economic and infrastructural developments taking place in the State, Sikkim has amicably sustained its natural resources with hosts of environment amelioration initatives. The Government of Sikkim has imposed ban on use of firecrackers, prohibited burning of agricultural waste, banned the use of styrofoam products, banned burning of tyres, banned use of polythene carrybags and chemical fertilizers. Sikkim has hosts of flagship programmes like State Green Mission, Ten Minutes to Earth, Smritivan and Paryavaran Mahotsav programmes which has greatly mobilised the entire state's populace in plantation and cleanliness activities throughout the State. Sikkim is now known as one the cleanest State of the country and boast of Gangtok, its capital town being declared as the Cleanest Hill Station and Cleanest Town of the country. For the clean and green image, Sikkim has also been rated as amongst the top tourist destinations of the World.

• Direction under section 5 of EPA, 1986 to all meat retail oulet/ shops for compliance of environmentally sound management of various type of waste (dated 14.07.2023)  
• Direction under section 5 of EPA, 1986 for compliance of minimum environmental flow in river by HEPs of Sikkim (dated 01.10.2022)  
• Sikkim Payment for Ecosystem Services Rules, 2022 (Sikkim Government Gazette Notification dated 18/07/2022)  
• Guidelines for Handling, Treatment, and Disposal of Waste Generated during Treatment/Diagnosis/ Quarantine of COVID-19 Patients – Revision 5 (Source: CPCB - published on 26th April 2022) 
• Action Taken Report - Implementation of Revised Guidelines for Idol Immersion (dated 24.03.2022)
• Employment Notice of SPCB Sikkim 
• Notice regarding web portal for registration of PIBOs,PWPs and online submission of EPR Action Plan as per Plastic Waste Management (Amendment), Rules 2022 [dated 29.03.2022]  
• Notice for Prohibiting Production, Stocking, Distribution, Sale & Use of Single Use Plastic (SUP) Items [dated 10.03.2022] 
• Notice to all PIBOs to submit EPR action plan as per Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 [dated 10.03.2022] 
• Training on E-Waste Management for possible job opportunities/entrepreneurship 
• Notification banning Plastic Water Bottles in the State of Sikkim w.e.f 1^st January 2022 
• State Environment Plan and District Environment Plan (Sikkim) 
• Draft EIA Notification 2020 in 22 vernacular languages 
• Notice for Registration of Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners under provision of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 
• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
• Guidelines for Environmental Management of Poultry Farms (Revised - August 2021)
• Guidelines for Environmental Management of Dairy Farms and Gaushalas (Revised July 2021) 
• Pictorial Guide on Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016 (Amended in 2018 & 2019) 
• Status Report on Impact of Lockdown (May 25 - June 10, 2020) on Air Quality and Status of Bio-Medical Waste Management in relation to Covid-19 in Sikkim 
• Air Quality Index of Sikkim
• Water Quality of Sikkim
• Hazardous Waste of Sikkim
• Noise level and Air Quality across Sikkim during Deepawali Festival 
• Consent Application Forms for Industrial Units 
• Environment Clearance of Development Projects in Sikkim