‘Mero Bato, Mero Bot’ to beautify Sikkim roads, promote greenery & tourism

BIJOY GURUNG

No lands should be left barren, CM urges panchayats

GANGTOK,: Environment conservation and tourism promotion in Sikkim have been synergized with ‘Mero Bato Mero Bot’ initiative of Chief Minister PS Golay which aims to beautify roads across the State through avenue plantation.

This green initiative was introduced by the Chief Minister during the State-level celebration of the ongoing Sikkim Paryavaran Parva 2024 at Manan Kendra here on Tuesday. Under this programme, the Forest department would identify and take up avenue plantation with the saplings to be nursed by workers and officials of Roads & Bridges department.

In his address, the Chief Minister shared the greater goals behind ‘Mero Bato Mero Bot’ (My road, my sapling).

“Tourism is the biggest revenue generation sector of Sikkim. People visit Sikkim to see our natural beauty, green environment, our rivers and waterfalls. We cannot advance tourism with huge buildings, it is better to preserve our nature and environment to attract more tourists. Accordingly, we have initiated this ‘Mero Bato, Mero Bot’ programme,” said Golay.

It would be the Forest department’s task to identify the roads and do avenue plantation with fruiting and flowering trees. In turn, the workers and officials of Roads & Bridges department engaged in road maintenance duties will nurture and protect these saplings.

By having a proper coordination between these two departments, there will be ample fruiting and flowering trees in our roads in coming years making them beautiful and attracting more tourists, said the Chief Minister. He announced a cash reward of Rs. 50,000 each to those workers who maintain the best road under the ‘Mero Bato, Mero Bot’ initiative.

The Chief Minister also urged the villagers, zilla and ward panchayats to ensure that no agricultural lands in their area are left barren.

At present there are lands left barren without any farming done, people should at least plant some fruit trees, said Golay. He added that if people cannot do farming for various reasons, they can consult with their panchayats for allowing agricultural activities in their fields through MGNREGA workers.

“Our zilla and ward panchayats should be take this initiative, they can have some farming done in the barren lands by engaging MGNREGA workers. Let there be no barren land in Sikkim. If we start this revolution then Sikkim will become a model State. The Agriculture and Horticulture departments will extend all support,” said the Chief Minister.

The Sikkim Paryavaran Parva, themed 'Leave a Green Legacy,’ is being observed for 14 days, running from July 1 to July 14.

Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,' the Chief Minister urged everyone to plant trees in honour of their mothers and said, "Planting a tree in our mother's name is a beautiful way to honour the one who gave us life and to contribute to a greener future."

The Chief Minister also spoke about the 'Mero Rukh Mero Santati' initiative, stating, “This initiative is not just my brainchild; it is our collective effort.” He underlined that protecting the environment is a responsibility shared by all, not just the Forest and Environment department.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister unveiled the Citizen Charter of the Forest department and called upon other departments to develop similar charters for enhanced public service delivery. Every promise made in the charter should be rigorously implemented, he said.

In conclusion, Golay lauded the "Green Schools" initiative to promote environmental education among students, urging its continuation.

In his brief address, Forest & Environment minister Pintso Namgyal Lepcha reiterated the State's commitment to environmental conservation under the leadership of the Chief Minister. He emphasised that the Forest department is not merely a plantation department but encompasses holistic environment security.

State Green Schools Awards

On the occasion, the Chief Minister's Green School Rolling Trophy and State Green Schools Award were presented to seven schools from across the State.

Instituted in the year 2011, the Chief Minister's Green School Rolling Trophy and State Green School Awards is presented every year to schools under senior secondary, secondary, junior high school, primary and private school categories.

This year, the Chief Minister's Green School Rolling Trophy was awarded to Government Secondary School Gor, Mangan district along with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.

The State Green Schools Award trophies and cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each were presented to Government Junior High School Rhenock Khamdong, Pakyong district, Government Senior Secondary School Tharpu, Soreng district, Government Secondary School Pabong, Namchi District, Government Senior Secondary School Tashiding, Gyalshing district, and LLTTL Government Secondary School Lachen, Mangan district.

Likewise, the State Green Schools Award trophy along with cash prize of Rs 50,000 was presented to Rey Valley International School, 6th Mile, Gangtok district under the best private school category.

The Best ASHA Worker Award was presented to Yangzay Lepcha of Payel, Tingvong GPU, Dzongu, Mangan District.

The day-long event featured the screening of the 'Sikkim – The Green State of India'. A special cover themed 'Sikkim – The Green State of India' was released, along with the Citizen Charter.

The key highlights of the event included the distribution of allotment orders for rearing houses under the Sericulture Directorate and token distribution of Rooftop Rain Water Harvesting facilities to four beneficiaries.

The programme also witnessed the screening of the 'My Child from Wild' video focusing on zoo animal adoption, followed by benefaction by Shyama Shree Sherpa, actress and producer, Power Grid Corporation of India, Cipla Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Government Fruit Preservation Factory (Sikkim Supreme).

Additionally, a watershed development video and MRMS promotional videos, reel, and short film were screened.

Further, the logo for the 'Mero Bato Mero Bot' initiative was unveiled. The online marking order management system was also launched, followed by the screening of a video on marketing order and a skit on online marking orders, adding a creative touch to the event.

Dr Pradeep Kumar, secretary, Forest & Environment department delivered the welcome address, setting the tone for the day-long celebration.