Making the Go-Green idea stick

GANGTOK, 06 July: As a part of the State Government’s initiative to keep Sikkim clean and green, the Forest Department started pasting ‘Go Green’ on vehicles today. The process started with at the Siliguri Taxi Stand next to the Forest Secretariat. 
This sticker was released by the Chief Minister on World Environment Day on 05 June at Chintan Bhawan.
The sticker has the ‘Go Green’ slogan, “Let us join hands for a cleaner future” on the front, while on other side it has the four do’s and don’ts while in Sikkim- ‘Do not feed wild animals’, ‘Do not pluck flowers or damage plants, ‘Do not litter. Dispose trash properly in garbage taxi’ and ‘Respect local culture. Do not urinate in public places.’

It has been decided that it the sticker will be mandatory on every vehicle- government, taxi or private.
The Forest Department plans to cover all the vehicles in 6 months. The pasting of the stickers at other districts will start from Thursday.
‘Go Green’ is among one of the activities of the state government’s mission to make every person in the state environmentally conscious by the year 2015.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Forest Department organized a meeting of the stake-holders and other related government officers on the ‘Go Green’ initiative today at the department’s conference hall. The meeting was chaired by the Chief Conservator of Forests [Land Use & Environment Circle], Pradeep Kumar.
The meeting discussed the different aspects and issues of the Go Green initiative, plastic [non-degradable] waste disposal and other issues.
Addressing the meeting, Mr Kumar mentioned that the Chief Minister has directed that efforts be taken to make every person environmentally conscious by 2015 and that many activities have been taken up towards that end, of which Go Green is a part of a series of programmes.
“This initiative is not only for locals, but also for people coming from outside who should also know Sikkim’s Green Culture and what to do and what not to do in Sikkim. This sticker will help pass the message to all the people traveling here,” he said.
The CCF sought support and coordination from all stakeholders and concerned organizations towards this mission of the government.
The Conservator of Forest Forests [Land Use & Environment Circle], YP Gurung, informed that the department has already tried out ‘Go Green’ stickers on Tsomgo vehicles on pilot project basis in collaboration with the WWF.
He added that after receiving positive feedback from tourists, drivers, travel agents and local people, the department submitted the proposal to the government which approved it and the notification is under process.
Mr Gurung informed that other initiatives like eco-clubs in schools has already been launched to make the students environment conscious by providing inputs and funds to schools.
On solid waste management, the CF suggested that the Road and Bridges Department and GREF reuse the plastic waste in their carpeting and other works to control non-degradable waste items.
He informed that the reuse of plastic in the carpeting and other works has already been tried out in Himachal Pradesh.
At the meeting, officials and representatives from different organizations also placed their suggestions.
They also assured to provide all possible help to the Forest Department to make people conscious about the environment.
The meeting was also attended by the Arithang Councilor, Ashish Rai, SDM [East], Dr AB Karki along with the officials and representatives from Sikkim Police, UD&HD, Motor Vehicle, GMC, GREF, TAAS, SHRA and Truck Driver’s Association.