CAP Sikkim claims large-scale tree felling, seeks accountability

GANGTOK,: Raising serious concerns over alleged negligence and lack of accountability in the management of forest resources, the Citizen Action Party Sikkim (CAP) has demanded the resignation of the State Forest Minister.

The opposition party, at a press meet here on Saturday, further questioned the government and concerned departments over forest protection and conservation of wildlife in the State.

CAP Sikkim spokesperson Mahesh Rai alleged that large-scale tree felling has taken place in the State, and that both the public and the State are being kept unaware of the actual situation.

Addressing the media, Rai said that a CAP Sikkim delegation had visited different areas on Friday where tree cutting has been a matter of controversy over the past few years. He said the party intended to carry out plantation drives in places where a significant number of trees had been felled. During the inspection, we found evidence suggesting that trees of other species had also been cut, he said.

Rai further alleged that in several locations, trees were felled without proper departmental permission, and that in some alleged cases, an individual had cleared forest land covering around 6,000 square feet on average.

The CAP Sikkim spokesperson informed that the party had sought information under the Right to Information Act regarding tree felling, reforestation, and plantation across the State. However, the department provided details only for Gangtok and Pakyong districts, while information from the remaining four districts was not shared, he claimed.

The CAP Sikkim further alleged that in South Sikkim, trees such as chaap, dhoopi, and teak were alleged chopped down in the areas located within the reserve forest areas of Ravangla and Sadam. According to the party, there are indications that the timber extracted from these areas was transported via Rangpo to Siliguri.

Rai said that at a time when there is a global push to increase forest cover to tackle climate change, it is important to understand what concrete steps the Sikkim government has taken to protect and expand forest areas. Referring to the State Biodiversity Action Plan, he said that every State is required to prepare such a plan for biodiversity conservation, and questioned how much budget Sikkim has allocated for it and what actions have been taken so far.

The CAP Sikkim also raised concerns over the management of the State’s river ecosystem, alleging widespread irregularities in this sector. The party demanded that the government clarify its position on these allegations.

Rai said it is still unclear whether the necessary forest clearances were obtained for the trees that were cut. He also alleged that the RTI response did not disclose how much revenue the state earned from the tree felling.

Commenting on the State government’s environmental initiative “Mero Rukh Mero Santati,” the CAP Sikkim stated that the scheme has failed to deliver expected results on the ground.

Rai alleged that the programme has largely remained limited to formal events and publicity, with little visible impact in terms of actual forest conservation and plantation efforts.