Gangtok hosts Greenathon to promote environment protection

Gangtok : Forest Environment and Wildlife Management Department minister Tshering Wangdi Lepcha flagged off the ‘Greenathon’ to promote a green and clean Sikkim at the MG Marg in Gangtok. This included a marathon and a walk to mark the ongoing Paryavaran Mahotsav being held across the state. Nearly 550 people participated in the run while about 200 opted for the ‘green’ walk. Beginning at the MG Marg, the marathon covered 5.5km through Zero Point and White Hall to end back at the popular promenade. Lepcha also participated in the green walk accompanied by additional chief secretary AK Srivastav, principal chief conservator of forests Anil Mindra and other officials of various departments. 

He handed out trophies, certificates and cash prizes to the marathon winners and congratulated all participants for actively taking up the cause of environment protection. The winner in the men's category was Abishek Chhetri while the first and second runners-up were Gokul Neopaney and Rahul Rawat, respectively. In the women's category, the first position was bagged by Anjali Subba, while Anjali Chhetri and Priyadarshani stood second and third, respectively. Meanwhile, the boys’ category saw Dawa Tshering Lepcha securing first place with Kamal Mangar and Bal Ram Chhetri clinching the second and third positions, respectively. In the girls’ category, Yankula Gurung stood first, followed by Srijana Chhetri and Kritika Kharel. Eleven years old Rahul Darnal, the youngest participant, was also presented with the Greenathon Award.