Inter-territorial constituency exchange programme for Gyalshing zilla panchayats, ‘Mero Rukh, Mero Santati’ commences in district

GANGTOK,: In a first of its kind initiative, the zilla panchayat members of Gyalshing District Zilla Panchayat (GDZP) launched the inter-territorial constituency exchange programme today, an IPR release informs.

During the recently held DPC, it had been decided that all 18 members would host the remaining 17 zilla members at their respective Territorial Constituencies (TCs) on day-long exposure visits on rotation basis, with the objective to allow panchayats to get an insight into best practices in the TC being visited, in terms of farming, educational institutes, historic and heritage sites, best performing GPKs, implementation of mission mode programmes of the government etc.

Thus a day long visit was conducted to the Yuksom territorial constituency by the Zilla adhyakshya D.S. Limboo, Gyalshing District Collector-cum-Sachiva (GDZP) Yishey D Yongda, all other members of the 17 TCs, officials, panchayat president and members of Yuksom Dubdi GPU.

The first visit was made to Khechoperi Bamboo House being run by a local artisan, Indrakari Subba who makes products from locally available resources such as bamboo and wood. The team visited the showroom as well as the shop floor (Workshop) of the Bamboo House.

The Gyalshing DC briefed all present on the background and significance of the G20 Presidency being led by India as well as Sikkim's role in the ongoing activities pertaining to the B20 & Startup20 in Gangtok. While displaying the two products of Khechoperi Bamboo House chosen for the G20 events, she further explained that it was indeed a very proud moment for the district.

The next visit was made to the Khangchendzonga Falls wherein a local entrepreneur displayed the zip line adventure sport which was his source of livelihood from tourist and locals. The zilla members also took part in the recreational sport.

Further, a visit was made to the herbal garden, Yuksam, belonging to Mangal Bir Limboo where cultivation of saffron, various kinds of herbs, organic plants, etc. is being done.

Thereafter, the team visited the Kiwi orchard of Buddha Hang Limboo. A detailed inspection was made of the orchards wherein the proprietor physically demonstrated how kiwi farming was done as a prospective business model. He informed that in the last season he had harvested and sold close to 3 tons of the fruit.

The team then visited the Khangchendzonga National Park Interpretation Centre where they were given a brief by KNP BO Palchen Thinley on various aspects of KNP flora-fauna, glacial scenario, climate change in modern times etc.

The next visit was conducted at Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) of Yuksam GPU which is the finest operational model of waste management in the State. The team was shown various aspects of resource recovery such as source segregation, recycling, packing, tie-up with rag pickers, composting through vermin-compost. The entire process was demonstrated in detail by Tsheten Bhutia, the in-charge of the RRC, Yuksom GPU.

The team also visited Government Senior Secondary School Yuksom where a brief interaction was held.

Zilla adhyaksha D.S. Limboo in his address informed the gathering the background and purpose of all zilla members visiting Yuksom.

Likewise, the DC while interacting with the students explained the significance of B20 & Startup20 in the context of Sikkim, while also informing them that Sikkim was the only State in the North East, chosen to conduct two activities under the G20. She also inspected the class rooms, toilets of students and school building. A hands-on activity was also done with the zilla members on VIDYA PRAVESH - a programme recently introduced in schools for creating an enabling learning environment for young children particularly that of Class I.

Next, in a landmark move, the implementation of "Mero Rukh Mero Santati" was done today in the district at the Kathok Tso (Lake) premises.

The DC Gyalshing explained to the zilla members that this unique programme launched on 2.02.23 by the Chief Minister, had the underlying aim to foster a rich environment wherein the parents of every newborn child, supported by Health & Forest departments would plant a hundred saplings in the child's name.

In today's plantation program, all the zilla panchayat members led by thezilla adhyakshya and district collector planted rhododendron saplings dedicated to one-month old baby Miwang, son of Phupo Tshering Bhutia andPhurkit Lepcha.

The DC along with the Chief Medical Officer counselled the parents on how it was equally the duty of the child’s family to also help the Forest department to nurture the saplings to full grown trees.

A visit was also made to the PHC, Yuksam where the DC inspected wards, laboratories, different sections and interacted with the MO, Technical Officer and staff.

The team then visited the Yuksam-Dubdi Gram Prashasan Kendra where the panchayat members accorded them a warm welcome followed by a tour of the infrastructure created under RG Seva Kendra as also the GPU’s OSR and the Recycling Paper Unit.

Thereafter the team visited the upcoming Veterinary Centre - cum - Wildlife Rescue Centre.

The concluding visit was made to the newly constructed road measuring 2.5 km connecting Yuksam to Ramgaythang village, where the collective and unique initiative of ward panchayat Karzang Bhutia, land donor Sonam Pladen and government contractor Palchen Bhutia had come together to provide road connectivity to villagers of Ramgaythang.

The Zilla adhyaksha, while expressing his gratitude to the donors, informed all Zilla members that such acts of goodwill and philanthropy is a noble example for all others to emulate, the IPR release mentions.