Paryavaran Mahotsav 2014 officially Kicks off in Sikkim

EOI

GANGTOK/NAMCHI : Paryavaran Mahotsav for the year 2014 was officially launched by Forest, Environment and Wildlife Minister, TW Lepcha, at M.G Mark, Gangtok. Also present were District Magistrate (East) Bimal Dawari, Deputy Mayor Shakti Singh, Principal Secretary cum PCCF Arvind Kumar, PCCF Environment Anil Mainra, Special PCCF Cum Project Director B S Bhadauria, senior officials and staff from the department, NGO representatives and locals. The minister unveiled posters of birds of Sikkim and also distributed dustbins and garbage bags as part of the Paryavaran Mahotsav. Lepcha also flagged off seeding vans, meant for distributing tree saplings and seeds. The annual programme, which started last year, is part of the state government’s initiative to promote environmental awareness in the state. 

The Paryavaran Mahotsav will run till June 30 and will include massive plantation and cleanliness drive, along with Greenathon (Run for Green and Clean Sikkim on June 22), signature campaigns, eco-competitions at schools, release of Go-Green stickers, distribution of dustbins and awareness programmes among others. Lepcha appealed for participation from all sectors, from Panchayats to local people, private entrepreneur, Government agencies, private and public sector institutions, school, colleges, NGOs, Self Help Groups, joint forest management committees, eco-development committees, lake protection committees and media to render their proactive role in achieving the objectives of Paryavaran Mahotsav. In Yangyang, the Mahotsav was officially launched by District Magistrate (South) CL Gurung, the chief guest for the programme. The programme also had the presence of Assistant Conservator of Forest (Ravangla) Kamal Subba, Sub Divisonal Magistrate, Yangang, PK Rai, other government officials, panchayats, NGOs and locals. The forest officials distributed saplings of various plants and trees to the villagers to mark the launch of the annual environmental programme.