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Namchi, January 31 (IPR): The Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building, and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) Hub under the Forest and Environment Department organized a valedictory programme today at Lower Suntaley, Melli, marking the completion of the month-long Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) 2024-25 on 'Apiculturist'.
This month-long NCVET-certified "Apiculturist" course (Level 2 of NSQF) was aimed to promote sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural communities by equipping participants with essential skills in beekeeping, hive management, and honey production.
Mr Nar Bahadur Pradhan Area MLA/ Advisor for Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Departments graced the valedictory session as the chief guest. Present during the occasion were Ms Man Maya Chettri Panchayat, Mrs Kusum Gurung Joint Director(Forest), Mr Rajen Pradhan Sr Prorgamme Officer, Mr Laxuman Darnal Information Officer, the resource persons namely Mr Youl Rai, Mrs Lakpa Choden Sherpa and Mr Shiv Kumar Sharma along with other officials and staff of Sikkim EIACP Hub, Forest and Environment Department, participants and the public.
Mr Nar Bahadur Pradhan, Area MLA in his address, extended best wishes to the trainees and encouraged them take full advantage of green skill acquired in enhancing one owns income and promote rural economy. He affirmed that the Green Skill Development Programme contemplates the vision of Sunawlo, Samridhh Ani Samarth Sikkim as envisaged by the Chief Minister of Sikkim.
Mrs Kusum Gurung Joint Director mentioned that the Green skills contribute to preserving and restoring environmental quality for sustainable future and include jobs that protect ecosystems and biodiversity. She mentioned that the GSDP is being implemented in the Forest and Environment Department since 2019 under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India (In line with Skill India Mission) to develop green skilled workers duly amalgamating scientific and traditional approach for sustainable development of rural economy.
It may be mentioned here that the GSDP course on “Apiculturist” which began on 23 December 2024 comprehensively provided hands-on training on setting up of scientific bee colony (apiary), honey harvesting and marketing. The hands-on exercises included bee capture, shifting from traditional log hives to scientific wooden box and clay hives, colony division, grafting of queen bee, honey extraction and bottling. Key resource person for the training were beekeepers and master trainers from Himali Bee Cooperative Society, Rateypani Mr Youl Rai and Mrs Lakpa Choden Sherpa who conducted hands-on training at Rateypani Apiary. Dr Bharat Kumar Pradhan, Scientist, Sikkim Biodiversity Board and Mr Shiva Kumar Sharma, Beekeeping trainer and retired officer from Sikkim Khadi and Village Industries Board also conducted sessions during the training period.
A total 20 local youths and farmers (ST community) of Upper and Lower Suntaley successfully completed the training sessions that were held at Gangtok, Rateypani and Suntaley in a mandated duration of 30 days. As a training outcome, each of the 20 trainees have successful set up a bee colony in a scientific wooden box and have also constructed clay hives at their respective premises. The trainees have been provided with necessary tools for management of the bee colony and for extraction of honey for marketing purpose. Extended support from the subject experts will be provided to the trainees for a period of three years during their entrepreneurship venture. So far, total 120 candidates have successfully enrolled as Apiculturists since 2019. Their honey and products are being marketed through the GSDP outlet set up at Forest office premise in Deorali, Gangtok.
On the occasion, a video montage of the training was also screened. The resource persons and trainees also shared their feedback and expressed gratitude towards the organizers. During the occasion, the chief guest handed over the course completion certificates, tool sets and token of appreciation to the trainees.
Report from DIO Namchi