The Honourable Minister Forest Shri Karma Loday Bhutia inaugurated the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) for 2021-22 session in context of generating livelihood opportunities for local youths through four certificate courses viz Forest Fire Management, Bamboo Crafts, Beekeeping, and Solar Energy Systems at the Sidkeong Tulku Forest Conference Hall, Deorali on Tuesday forenoon, the 16th of November 2021 . This green skill training programme is being facilitated by the Sikkim ENVIS Hub of Forest and Environment Department. The training programme is being participated by 250 trainees from across the state and will be conducted at various training locations across the state in 12 batches within the current financial year. Various subject experts from State Designated Agency of Power Department, State Biodiversity Board, Territorial Division, Sikkim Khadi and Village Industries Board, SIMFED, Himalayan Science Society, Cane and Bamboo Training Center Assam, NIELIT Gangtok, SMIT Majhitar, GSES New Delhi and other local resource persons will be conducting the training as expert partners.

In his inaugural address attended by 60 local youths, the Minister Forest extended warm welcome to all the participants and encouraged them to take full advantage of livelihood opportunities at local level through green skilling. The minister emphasised on resorting to eco-friendly practices and make use of locally available natural resources in harnessing the acquired green to boost rural economy through sustainable practices.

The inaugural session was also addressed by the Chief Conservator of Forest (Env.&SC/T/ HQ) Shri N W Tamang. In his address, he mentioned that Forest and Environment Department has been making continuous efforts to provide livelihood opportunities to interested local youths in the field of environment since 2019 and this year the department has targeted to benefit 250 youths through green skill training. The inaugural programme was also attended by CF(T) Shri Karma Legshey Bhutia, CF(Wildlife) Shri Udai Gurung, Director (ENVIS) Shri B B Gurung, Director(HZP) Shri Sangay Gyatso Bhutia, Director-I(Accounts) Shri Bikram Tamang, Director-II(Accounts) Shri Norbu Dadul, Joint Secretary(Admin) Ms. Thinley Pema Chankapa, CAO Shri Karma Thendup Thapa, Joint Director (NTFP) Shri Tshering Pintso Bhutia, Joint Director (ENVIS/SPCB) Ms Kusum Gurung, DFO-cum-TA to PCCF Ms. Thenmozhi V and other senior officers of the forest department.

Addressing the opening and welcome remarks, the Director (ENVIS) Shri B B Gurung mentioned that 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. He mentioned that 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 envisaged by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and 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.

The 1st batch of green skill training for the current financial year on forest fire management, bamboo crafts, solar energy systems and beekeeping will take place at Phodong, Hee-Bermiok, Gangtok, and Raeypani respectively and will be conducted for a month-long till the end of December 2021. During the inaugural session, a short ten minute video of previous years training and feedback from the trainees was screened along with a short power point presentation on bamboo crafts by Dr. Tika Prasad Sharma, bamboo expert from Himalayan Science Society Sikkim. Training kits and tools were also distributed to the trainees.

The inaugural session coordinated by Sr. Programme Officer (ENVIS) Rajen Pradhan ended with photo session and vote of thanks by the Joint Director (ENVIS) Ms Kusum Gurung.