The Hindu Business Line : Sikkim embarks on ‘green drive’

Gangtok, July 8 Reinforcing its projection as a Green State, the Sikkim Government is set to add another chapter in its environmental security measures by launching a unique initiative called ‘Ten minutes to Greenery’ in Sikkim that seeks public participation in an unprecedented scale.

Under this ‘Ten Minutes to Greenery’ programme, the State Government seeks to consolidate its green initiative where the Government has decided that ‘each one of the six lakh population of Sikkim’ should plant trees and flowers for 10 minutes on July 15.

The operation ‘Ten Minutes to Greenery’ will be held 10.30 a.m. on July 15. Anyone can do some planting in just anywhere in the 7,096 sq km territory of Sikkim on that day.

To make this unique programme successful, the State Government has decided to carry out the plantation in all towns, villages, office, public premises, school compounds, premises of Government offices of both State and Central governments, public sector undertakings, premises of the Army and paramilitary forces and private lands so that every individual participates in this unique plantation programme.

The six-lakh population of Sikkim, who have been given a call by the State Government includes the local people, migrant population and those in the Army and other paramilitary forces.

This ‘Ten Minutes to Greenery’ exercise follows the environment conservation programmes of the State Government such as the State Green Mission that have become very popular and effective in increasing the forest cover of the State to 46 per cent. The State Government has been able to make people of Sikkim environmentally conscious to promote the way of life and culture in harmony with nature, the notification reads.

The State Forest Department has been made the nodal agency to implement the latest exercise successfully.

The forest officials said that the Chief Minister, Mr Pawan Chamling, wanted the people to dedicate 10 minutes to plant one sapling or flower in any place.

This kind of programme will be unique and first in the nation, the Forest Department said.

The Department will be setting up district-level task forces in all the four districts for this purpose.

The State Government will be embarking on extensive publicity drive to create awareness for the planting exercise. Area MLAs and Panchayat members will also be conducting similar exercises in their respective areas.

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