A 25 day Green Skill Development Programme on a certified course "Wild Beekeeping and Processing" launched

Gangtok,  9/01/2020: The Honourable Minister Forest Shri Karma Loday Bhutia launched the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) on “Wild Beekeeping and Processing” on 09/01/2020 at Forest Conference, Gangtok. A 25 day comprehensive training programme covering 200hrs for a batch of 25 local candidates is being coordinated in the State by Sikkim ENVIS Hub at Forest and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim in collaboration with Sikkim Khadi & Village Industries Board. The course is aligned as per National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) level 5 and is in line with the Skill India Mission as envisaged by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The Green Skill Development Programme on “Wild Beekeeping and Processing” is being implemented in the State of Sikkim under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India to develop green skilled workers duly amalgamating scientific and traditional approach for sustainable development of rural economy.

Addressing the candidates, the Honourable Minister Forest Shri Karma Loday Bhutia urged all the participants to take this opportunity to harness green skills and enhance livelihood through marketing of quality honey and bee products. The Minister also assured to provide incentives up to Rs. 20,000 to progressive bee farmers as a follow up of the training programme.

The Principal Secretary cum PCCF Shri M L Srivastava in his address mentioned that practice of beekeeping is a win-win situation for the farmers as it would generate income and also address climate change issue duly contributing to the Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action). He mentioned that most vocational training programmes focus on mechanical/technical skills rather than ‘soft’ or ‘green’ skills. Green skills contribute to preserving or restoring environmental quality for sustainable future and include jobs that protect ecosystems and biodiversity.

The Chief Executive Officer from Sikkim Khadi & Village Industries Board Shri Gyurmie Yousal in his keynote address mentioned the need of scientific and sustainable approach of beekeeping in the State. He said that through the Green Skill Development Programme, the traditional and scientific knowledge of beekeeping needs will be carefully understood for holistic approach of generating livelihood vis-à-vis conserving the local bee species for ensuring better agricultural and horticultural productivity.

Earlier, the programme began with a welcome address by Director of Forest-cum-ENVIS Coordinator Shri B B Gurung. The inaugural function ended with the vote of thanks by the Joint Director (ENVIS) Ms. Kusum Gurung in an event coordinated by Shri Rajen Pradhan, Sr. Programme Officer (ENVIS). The programme was then followed by technical sessions presided over by local experts Shri. Shiva Prasad Sharma (SKVIB), Dr. Shiva Kr. Sharma (Conservation Biologist) and Dr. Bharat Kr. Pradhan, Scientific Associate (State Biodiversity Board). The hands-on training programme will be conducted till January 28, 2020 at Melli Paiyong, Sumbuk, Rong, Salghari of South District and Upper Aho, East District.

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