The green way of life

 

 

As the clock struck 10:30 am, Sikkim inked a new chapter in environmental record books by planting more than 6 lakh saplings across the hill state in ten minutes.

The special campaign – aptly christened Ten Minutes to Greenery – was led from the front by Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who conceived it.

Thousands of Sikkimese – including army and paramilitary personnel – fanned out in the districts on July 15, planting, in all, over 6 lakh saplings.

Facilitated by the state forest department, the plantation programme, which reinforced the image of the peaceloving Sikkimese as a forest friendly people, will be made an annual feature. State Forest Secretary ST Lachungpa said his estimate was that the 6 lakh saplings would help trap about 1,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

Oak, rhododendron and magnolia figured prominently among the plant species that were selected with an eye on preserving local biodiversity. The emphasis, accordingly, was on having more and more native species. All the saplings were provided by the forest department, the nodal implementing agency. In 2006 Sikkim had launched its first Green Mission, thanks to which the state’s forest cover has risen to 46 percent. This one too is an annual participatory feature.

Not one district, town or village failed to participate in the programme, in which Central, state and public sector undertakings participated.

Schools, army and paramilitary forces saw extended activity, because though called Ten Minutes to Greenery, the plantation drive stretched long into the evening hours.

The lopping of the dhupi tree and collection of Nagbeli and mosses from forest are banned in Sikkim.

And so as to reduce pressure on forest and the landscape, all state agencies are directed to switch over from wood to alternate materials.

Sikkim's comprehensive green policy includes in its ambit the protection and conservation of glaciers and rivers, which are some of the most beautiful in the world.