The State level World Environment Day programme with the theme “Celebrate Biodiversity - Time for Nature” was observed in the presence of the Hon’ble Governor Shri Ganga Prasad as Chief Guest and the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) as the Guest of Honour at Raj Bhawan.
The brief event organized by Forest and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim was also attended by Hon’ble Forest Minister Shri Karma Loday Bhutia, Cabinet Ministers, Political Secretary to the HCM Shri Jacob Khaling, Chief Secretary Shri S. C. Gupta, ACS Raj Bhawan Dr. K. Jayakumar, DGP Shri A.S. Rao, Principal Secretary cum PCCF Shri M.L. Srivastava, and a host of other officials and dignitaries.
The World Environment Day celebration commenced with the ceremonial plantation by the Hon’ble Governor, the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers and other dignitaries at the Raj Bhawan premises.
The main function for rolling out the National campaign on ‘Amrita for life ’ – Tinospora cordifolia (Gurjo in Nepali) under National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) was held at the conference hall of Raj Bhawan. The campaign was launched by the Chief Guest and the Guest of honour. Tinospora cordifolia (Gurjo) is a climber shrub that has high medicinal value. It further helps to counteract a suppressed immune system and widely used for various other condition. As a part of the NMPB’s national campaign ‘Amrita for life, the Forest Department will be distributing 1 lakh seedlings of Gurjo this year through mobile distribution centres set up in all four districts of the State. Other 1 lakh seedlings will be distributed next year. The department is using bio-degradable poly bags for the plant seedlings.
The Hon’ble Governor Shri Ganga Prasad, in his message to the people has called for revival of the harmonious relationship with nature and a healthy co-existence between man and environment and resonate this year’s theme of World Environment Day that is ‘Celebrating Biodiversity’. Expressing concern over the present crisis owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor has urged all to stand in solidarity and support the State government in the fight against the virus.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), in his address, requested all to work towards safeguarding nature in order to build a social-ecological resilience in the State and asked every citizen to plant saplings individually. He further informed that all the Cabinet Ministers and MLAs will be planting at least 1000 saplings in their respective constituencies starting today and will continue the drive till the month of July, 2020.
Principal Secretary cum PCCF Shri M.L. Srivastava, in his welcome address, informed about the various efforts undertaken by the Forest Department to support the State government in the fight against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has authorized six hospitals in the State with waste treatment facility for scientific disposal of waste from quarantine centres. Trainings have also been provided by the SPCB on waste management as per SOPs along with provision of PPEs for the waste handlers, he added. It is informed that a herbal garden is also being set up at the Raj Bhawan premises under the direction of the Hon’ble Governor. Updating the gathering on the increased forest coverage in the State today, Shri Srivastava acknowledged the high level of self awareness and efforts of the people of Sikkim towards conservation and preservation of the environment. He added that the current COVID-19 pandemic has also brought us closer in realising the relationship and interdependence between human and environment. He apprised about the State level online competitions such as quiz, essay writing, painting/ drawaing, open photography and videography contest on environment being hosted by the Sikkim ENVIS Hub of the department which has cash prize of Rs. 20,000/-, Rs. 15,000/- and Rs. 10,000/- for the winners.
Image and text courtesy: IPR
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