organized by the forest Environment & Wildlife Management Department started with the ceremonial plantation of a Rhododendron tree sapling by the Chief Minister followed by other dignitaries.

The Chief Minister asked the public and the department to initiate the Environment Festival by carrying out plantations everywhere in the State. Calling this a “People’s program” Mr Pawan Chamling called for the active participation of one and all from all the Government and private sectors, NGOs, School, Panchayats and especially the public. He has directed the departmental heads to ensure the execution of this program and asked the Forest Department to supply the seedlings to all those participating in the plantation drive. He has stressed on the plantations to be carried out as per the suitability of the climate of the areas and not in a random manner.

Chamling added that this Green Mission should send out a strong message to the people regarding the importance of safeguarding the Forest, Environment and Wildlife and keeping the Earth safe and healthy. Ignorance of the people has led to the destruction of the forest and environment resulting in the misbalance in nature said the Chief Minister and this mission should also spread ample awareness amongst the people. Through the green mission awareness, the people have to understand its significance and the message “Forest is life and it is I who has to save it” said the Chief Minister.
 
Sharing information about the various measures taken up by the present government to protect the environment in the State, Mr Chamling informed that the Green Revolution awareness was previously started by the present Government in the year 1995 through different types of environment friendly steps however this revolution was recognized in 2006 under the state Green Mission banner. Addressing the problem of wild animal infestation in the agricultural lands faced by the farmers, he said that the Government would compensate the loss of the agricultural products met by the farmers and also asked the farmers to provide accurate information about the loss to the departments. Talking about tackling this problem, firstly he asked the Forest Department to plant fruit and flower bearing trees and plants in the forest areas to provide sufficient food supply for the wild animals and secondly he appealed for a stop of forest demolition activities and a starting of  forest protection activities. Informing about the Government’s various health improvement initiatives to make Sikkim a high Life Expectancy State, the Chief Minister said that the upcoming hospital in Sikkim would be a state of the art hospital which will provide all the people friendly health improvement measures.

 Citing the examples of tourism growth through Solophok Chardham and Tathagatha Tsal, he asked the youth to become self reliant through the tourism sector and informed that the State Government is focused on giving priority to employment oriented higher education to the students.

Four trainers for Bamboo crafts under integrated Water Management Program (IWMP) were awarded by the Chief Minister on the occasion. They are Mr. BK Rai from Lungchok South Sikkim, Mr. Binod Subba from Turuk South Sikkim, Mr. Lakchung Lepcha and Mr. Lakpa Lepcha from Dzongu North Sikkim.