Gangtok, 05 March (IPR): Sikkim State ENVIS Hub, Forest & Environment Department, Government of Sikkim is organizing Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) courses in Forest Fire Management, Bamboo Crafts and Solar Energy Systems from 05-25 March.
The Green Skill Development Programme is being undertaken in the State under the aegis of Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India and aims to impart green skill training to youths and local people who had to discontinue their education due to financial or social constraints.
Experts from various fields will be conducting the training sessions throughout the programme. Territorial Division, F&Env Department, Government of Sikkim is the chief resource partner for Forest Fire Management while Himalayan Science Society and Cane & Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC), Assam are the resource partners for Bamboo Crafts. For Solar Energy Systems, SREDA, Power & Energy Department, Government of Sikkim will be the chief collaborating partner along with co-partner experts from Global Sustainable Energy Solution (GSES), New Delhi.
Hon’ble Minister of Forest & Environment, Shri Karma Loday Bhutia, attended the inaugural session of the programme as chief guest at the Forest Conference Hall in Deorali today. He was accompanied by PCCF cum Principal Secretary, Shri ML Srivastava, IFS, Project Director, SBFP-JICA, Shri Nima Wangdi Tamang, Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Dr. DC Nepal, Additional Chief Engineer, SREDA, Power & Energy Department, Shri Dilip Kumar Sharma, and other officials of the department along with resource persons and participating candidates.
In his inaugural address, Hon’ble Minister Shri Karma Loday extended warm welcome to all the participants and expressed happiness over their zeal for learning skills that contribute to preserving environmental quality for sustainable future. He also commended the Forest Department and its officials for their clear commitment towards development and progress of the youth of the State.
The Minister stated that the GSDP courses will enable the youth to explore opportunities beyond government jobs thus helping them to be self-dependent. He urged the participants to dedicate their time and energy in taking full advantage of the programme in order to emerge as well equipped experts in the field they choose for their livelihood in the near future.
Highlighting on the scopes of the GSDP courses, the Minister concluded his address while encouraging all to share the knowledge gained during the process at grassroot level for sustainable development of rural economy.
PCCF cum Principal Secretary, Shri ML Srivastava, in his address, said that the GSDP is an important programme that offers great livelihood potential and added that every target course under GSDP will help render employment alternatives beyond government sector for the youth of the State.
Citing examples of the Australian bushfire earlier this year and several cases of forest fires last year in the State itself, he asked the participants to understand the depth of the problem and asserted on the need of expertise, equipment and awareness to mitigate the issue. He also encouraged the participants to explore the potential of solar energy systems and contribute in strengthening bamboo crafts in the State through the GSDP course.
He reiterated that the State government has consistently supported programmes placed for the development of the youth and has voiced for women empowerment in the State with full dedication. Therefore, he urged the participants to take full advantage of the opportunity and use it to further their skill set.
The programme was followed by a technical session conducted by Senior Programme Officer, ENVIS, Shri Rajen Pradhan, and Scientific Associate State Biodiversity Board, F&Env Department, Dr. Bharat Kumar Pradhan.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Director, Forest cum ENVIS Coordinator, Shri BB Gurung, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Joint Director, ENVIS, Mrs. Kusum Gurung.