STATE GOVERNMENT’S INITIATIVE ON FORESTRY, ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Compiled by
Environmental Information System (ENVIS)
Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Department
The State Government under the visionary leadership of Shri Pawan Chamling, the Chief Minister of Sikkim has been following several exemplary environment conservation policies for over past two decades. As a testimony to the concerted efforts of the State Government, the forest cover of the State has increased by 4% in the last twenty years and the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling has been conferred with many national and international awards for initiating exemplary environmental actions.
State Green Mission : The Government of Sikkim in 2006 launched a unique and innovative programme called “State Green Mission” for raising avenue plantations along the roads and beautification of all vacant and waste lands to further reinforce wide spread recognition of Sikkim being a Green State.
Ten Minutes to Earth: Ten Minutes to Earth is another novel, unique and innovative programme conceptualized and initiated by the Chief Minister during 2009 in which the 25th day of June every year from 10.30 AM to 10.40 AM is observed by every citizen of the State by dedicating ten minutes of their time in plantation, protection and conservation of Mother Earth.
Paryavaran Mahotsav: Announced by the Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling in 2013 Paryavaran Mahotsav is a people’s programme observed throughout the State from 15th to 30th June every year. The State Green Mission and Ten Minutes to Earth have now become part of Paryavaran Mahotsav which is to be celebrated every year by all in the State. Cleanliness drives are also organized during this period to clean up our towns and cities.
Smritivan: The Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling evolved the concept of Smritivan in year 1999 with a noble idea of planting trees in memory of near and dear ones. Smritivan is a mass voluntary effort to generate active involvement of the people in planting trees in the drive for Green Sikkim. The objective of this scheme is to create Smritivan in every gram panchayat unit.
Mith Trees: In order to promote and revive the age-old tradition of forging brotherhood relationship with trees, the State Government has notified Sikkim Forest Trees (Amity and Reverence) Rules, 2017 that allows any person to associate with trees standing on his or her private land or on any public land by entering into a Mith/Mitor Mitinirelationship with a tree or trees, in which case, the tree shall be called a ‘Mith/Mit tree’; or by adopting a tree as if it was his or her own child in which case the tree shall be called an ‘Adopted tree’; or by preserving a tree in remembrance of a departed relative in which case the tree shall be called a ‘Smriti tree’.
Declaration of Heritage Trees: Recognizing the silvicultural importance and ecosystem values of the historically significant trees found all over the State that are intimately linked with the evolution of human settlements and agrarian lifestyles of the people of Sikkim, the State Government has notified total 53 trees of girth class 20ft and above under forest land as “Heritage Trees” of the state under the Sikkim Forest (Preservation, Protection and Declaration) of Heritage Tree Rules, 2016.
Ban on Grazing: Grazing in forest areas causes forest degradation so the Government took a decision to ban grazing in reserved forests and plantation areas in 1998. The effect of the ban is perceptible in the form of increased natural regeneration of forests and wildlife and improvement in water availability in nearby villages.
Planting ten saplings for every tree cut in private land: The State Government has notified Sikkim Private and Other Non-Forest Lands Tree Felling Rules, 2006 in which for every tree felled, the applicant need to plant ten saplings of trees. When we fell one tree in our bari we need to plant ten saplings in its place. This has been a traditional practice in Sikkim and is provided in State laws.
Ban on cutting, lopping and collection of dhupi, nagbeli and mosses: The State Government has banned cutting, looping and collection of any form, or leaves of dhupi (Cryptomeria, Cupressus etc), nagbeli (Lycopodium) and lheu (mosses) for decoration purposes for public or private function.
Ban on collection of medicinal plants from forest areas for commercial use: In order to ensure regeneration of medicinal plants species in forest areas for maintaining the ecological balance, the State Government has imposed ban on collection of all medicinal plants for commercial purposes from forest areas.
Ban on Plastic carry bags: Use of non-biodegradable materials like plastic carry bags has been banned in the State of Sikkim since 1997. Panchayat members should make villages aware as plastic cause permanent pollution in the soil.
Ban on Firecrackers: The State Government in 2014 imposed prohibition on the manufacture, sale and use or bursting of all types of firecracker including any sound emitting or illuminating type of firecrackers within the State of Sikkim as bursting of firecrackers make the environment polluted.
Ban on Burning of Agricultural Waste: The State Government in 2015 has imposed prohibition on the burning of agricultural waste, leaves, litter, paper wastes and garbage within the State of Sikkim. Agriculture wastes add organic manure to the soil so should not be burned.
Ban on Styrofoam: The State Government in 2016 notified ban on sale and use of disposable items such as cups, plates, spoons, containers etc made from Styrofoam throughout the State.
Ban on use of packaged drinking water bottles in State government functions: Sikkim is the first Indian State to ban the use of packaged drinking water bottles in government functions and meetings.
Ban on killing of wildlife: The State Government has imposed ban on hunting or killing of wild animals.
Ban on use of NSAID diclofenac: The State Government has banned the veterinary use of vulture-killer drug NSAID Diclofenac.
Ban on sale of pan masala and gutka: In the interest of public health, the State Government has banned the sale of pan parag, pan masala, tulsi, madhu supari, tamanna, gutka supari, rajnigandha and pass pass within the State vide Sikkim Government Gazette notification no. 90 dated 10/04/2002.
Introduction of Environmental Education in Schools: The State Government conceptualized and introduced eco-clubs and green funds in schools and colleges in the year 2000 and introduced compulsory environment education in schools till class VIII in the year 2002.
Chief Minister’s Green School Rolling Trophy and State Green Schools Awards: In order to promote environment awareness amongst school children and to acknowledge the efforts of the school eco-clubs for their action towards environment protection and conservation, “Chief Minister’s Green School Rolling Trophy and State Green Schools Awards” has been constituted to reward the best eight performing schools with cash prizes of Rs. 5 lakh to the best school, Rs. 1 lakh each to the four Senior Secondary and Secondary schools and Rs. 50,000/- each to one best Junior High School, Primary School and Private School as well. This State award scheme was constituted in the year 2011 and is presented during the State level World Environment Day celebration every year on 5th of June.