The Honourable Minister Forest Shri Karma Loday Bhutia on February 8-11, 2021 at Forest Conference Hall, Deorali inaugurated the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) for 2021 session on four certificate courses viz Forest Fire Management, Bamboo Crafts, Beekeeping and Solar Energy Systems. This green skill training programme conducted by Sikkim ENVIS Hub of Forest and Environment Department is being participated by 85 trainees from across the state and will be conducted at various training locations such as Bermiok, Mikhola, Sikip, Kitam and Gangtok for up to 40 days. Various subject experts from SREDA, Power Department, State Biodiversity Board and Forest Department, Sikkim Khadi and Village Industries Board, SIMFED, Himalayan Science Society, Cane and Bamboo Training Center Tripura, NIELIT Gangtok, SMIT Majhitar, GSES New Delhi and other local resource persons will be conducting the training as expert partners.
In his inaugural address, the Minister Forest extended warm welcome to all the participants and encouraged them to explore livelihood opportunities at local level through green skilling. The inaugural session was also attended by ACS-cum-PCCF Shri M L Srivastava, CCF Shri D C Nepal, CCF Shri N W Tamang, CF Shri Karma Legshey Bhutia, Director Shri B B Gurung, Joint Director Ms Kusum gurung and other senior officers of the forest department and other line departments.
The basic aim of these GSDP courses is to impart green skill training to youths and local people who have not been able to continue education due to different financial or social constraints but have an urge to learn new things and do something fruitful. Green skills contribute to preserving or restoring environmental quality for sustainable future and include jobs that protect ecosystems and biodiversity, reduce energy and minimize waste and pollution.
The Green Skill Development Programme is being implemented in the State of Sikkim 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. In line with the Skill India Mission of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change utilizing the vast network and expertise of ENVIS Hubs/ RPs, has taken up an initiative for skill development in the environment and forest sector to enable India’s youth to get gainful employment and/or self-employment.