Thursday, Jul 16, 2026 22:45 [IST]
Last Update: Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026 17:06 [IST]
GANGTOK: Yougan Tamang, Press Secretary to the Chief Minister, on Wednesday visited the Forest & Environment Department, for an in-depth review of the scientific principles guiding the ongoingDhuppi (Cryptomeria japonica) thinning programme and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Government's recently launched 'Mission: Million Oak Trees by 2047'.
The visit was undertaken in the interest of ensuring that factual and scientifically validated information reaches the public regarding forest management practices being implemented across the State, a press release inform.
During the visit, the Press Secretary held a detailed interaction with Karma Legchey D, Chief Conservator of Forests, and SonamChodenBhutia, Conservator of Forests, who explained the scientific, ecological and regulatory framework underpinning the Department's forestry interventions.
The officers informed that the thinning of Dhuppi trees currently being undertaken under the Namchi Territorial Division is a scientifically planned silvicultural practice carried out with the approval of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. The department clarified that the exercise is being implemented strictly in accordance with approved forestry management plans and established scientific guidelines.
During the discussion, officials explained that Dhuppi (Cryptomeria japonica), although a valuable plantation species introduced several decades ago, presents certain ecological challenges when it dominates forest stands. Over time, the continuous accumulation and decomposition of its needles increases soil acidity, altering soil chemistry and reducing the availability of nutrients required by many native plant species. The species also exhibits allelopathic characteristics, releasing natural biochemical compounds that inhibit the regeneration and growth of surrounding vegetation. This gradually suppresses native biodiversity and affects the natural ecological composition of forests.
The department further explained that thinning is an internationally recognised scientific forestry practice aimed at improving forest quality rather than reducing forest cover. By selectively removing excess or densely populated trees, adequate sunlight, moisture and nutrients become available for native species to regenerate naturally, thereby restoring ecological balance, improving biodiversity, strengthening wildlife habitats and enhancing the long-term health and resilience of the forest ecosystem.
The exercise, therefore, is not undertaken for commercial exploitation but as a planned ecological intervention designed to improve the overall vitality of Sikkim's forests, informs the release.
The officials also briefed the Press Secretary on the department's broader conservation initiatives, including scientific forest management, biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, habitat restoration and measures being undertaken to safeguard Sikkim's rich Himalayan flora and fauna for future generations.
The meeting also included a detailed review of 'Mission: Million Oak Trees by 2047', a flagship environmental initiative launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay. The department highlighted that indigenous oak species, including Quercus, Lithocarpus and Castanopsis, perform a vital ecological role in the Himalayan landscape by acting as natural water reservoirs. Oak forests improve soil structure, increase water infiltration, regulate surface runoff, promote groundwater recharge and sustain perennial springs that support rural livelihoods and downstream ecosystems.
Officials noted that decades of unsustainable extraction, recurring forest fires, changing climatic conditions, prolonged winter droughts and poor natural regeneration have significantly reduced oak forests across many parts of Sikkim. In several locations, remaining oak stands have increasingly been replaced by Malingo bamboo and Alnusnepalensis, particularly in forests up to an elevation of around 8,000 feet, making restoration both timely and necessary.
To address this ecological challenge, the government has set an ambitious target of planting one million indigenous oak trees by the year 2047, commemorating the centenary of India's Independence while contributing towards the vision of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Sikkim 2047. The initiative forms an integral component of the Government's BiPaSa framework Bijli (electricity),Pani (water) and Sadak (road) with a strong emphasis on long-term environmental sustainability.
According to departmental estimates, the restoration of oak ecosystems under the Mission has the potential to generate an additional groundwater recharge capacity ranging between 10 and 50 billion litres, significantly strengthening water security, climate resilience and ecological stability across the State.
Following the review, the Chief Minister’s Press Secretary appreciated the department for providing a detailed scientific explanation of both the Dhuppi thinning programme and the Million Oak Trees Mission. He observed that responsible public discourse on environmental issues must be guided by scientific evidence, expert knowledge and verified information rather than speculation or misinformation circulating on social media, the release mentions.
He further noted that the Government of Sikkim remains firmly committed to balancing conservation with scientific forest management so that the State's extraordinary natural heritage is preserved while ensuring healthier, more resilient forests for generations to come.
