CM of Sikkim participates in unique environmental initiative: “A Day for Mother Earth”

New Delhi, July 8: The state-level programme to mark “A Day for Mother Earth”, a unique environmental initiative of the present Government of Sikkim, was held at Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary, Pangthang, on Thursday. The theme for the day was ‘Celebrating Nature – Say No to Single-Use Plastics’.

‘A Day for Mother Earth’ was launched by Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang on 7th July 2019 to carry out environment-friendly activities to address climate change wherein all vehicular movement except those on emergency duty will be stopped throughout the State for seven minutes from 11am every year on the 7th of July. Other activities carried out on this day are plantation, cleaning up our surroundings and public places, and promotion of reduce, reuse and recycle practices. Each year on 7th of July, the Forest and Environment Department, the Government of Sikkim, organizes befitting programmes at various levels to mark the occasion.

The State level event organized this year was attended by Governor of Sikkim Ganga Prasad as the chief guest and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang as the guest of honour.

Before proceeding to Golitar, Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary, all the attendees participated in a cleanliness drive along the road stretch from Ganesh Tok complex to Tashi View Point and also observed the seven-minute vehicular restriction from 11 am to 11:07 am.

At the Plant Conservatory, the chief guest flagged off Forest Department vehicles carrying saplings and seedlings for free distribution to the public. The vehicles would be engaged for a week throughout the district.

The programme at Golitar commenced with the plantation of saplings followed by the formal welcome of the dignitaries at the Open-Air Biodiversity Theatre.

The revised map of Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary was released on the occasion by the Governor and the Chief Minister.

Thereafter, Awards were presented to the top three winners of the online short video competition organized by the Department, especially for the event.

The Rajya Van Sanrakshan Evam Paryavaran Puraskar was awarded to nine forest personnel for carrying out their duty with utmost dedication and creating a positive impact.

A special feature of the event was the presentation of School Nursery Yojana Funds to Schools to promote green campuses, as a part of Green India Mission.The grant-in-aid of Rs. 50,000 each were presented to six Government schools of Sikkim.

During the programme, a one-time grant was also presented to JFMCs, NGOs and associations working relentlessly in the field of environment conservation.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang in his address appealed to the people of Sikkim to dedicate at least one day in a year to nurturing mother nature. He urged every Sikkimese citizen to take ownership of public properties and natural resources.

The Chief Minister announced the carpeting of Lindok road under Kabi Lungchok Constituency. He also shared that ICFAI University will come up at Lindok for which land has already been provided.

The CM lauded the entire team of the Forest Department for organizing the event in the most befitting manner. He acknowledged various NGOs and school students for their enthusiastic participation.

The programme was attended by Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Advisors, Chairpersons, other invited dignitaries, Heads of Departments, officers of the Forest Department, and other invitees.