Black Cat Division undertakes cleanliness drive along JN Marg

GANGTOK, 30 May: As part of its ecological awareness campaign, troops of the Black Cat Division in collaboration with the Sikkim Tourism and voluntary assistance from schools, a massive cleaning drive was organised from Swastik to Nathu La from 28 May to 01 Jun, covering a stretch of almost 100 km.
A press release informs that the drive organised by Black Cat Division aimed at addressing the indiscriminate disposal of non bio-degradable waste primarily by tourists who are the backbone of the state’s economy.
According to an action plan worked out with the Tourism department major tourist haltsviz, Bakhtang Water Falls, Tashi View Point, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, MS 3 Check Post,Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula were “activated” by a combined task force of troops of Black Cat Division, school children and the personnel of Sikkim Tourism, the release informs.
The task force, in addition to cleaning the area also approached the tourists and taxi operators to educate them about the harmful effects of throwing non bio-degradable waste.
They reached out to the people through interaction, posters, banners and placards. Jute bags were also provided to tourists and taxi operators to bring back waste from tourist points. The initiatives received overwhelming response from all sections of the society, it is added.

Army organizes cleanliness drive in Karponang

GANGTOK, 04 May: A cleanliness drive was launched around Karponang jointly by the Black Cat Sappers and civilians residing in the village on JN Marg today. Karponang is located at Milestone 13 on the JNM on the way to Nathula.

An official press release informs that lack of proper waste disposal arrangements and littering by tourists had led to considerable garbage accumulating in the area which now poses ecological threat to the area.

Garbage dumps in such places have often attracted bears and other animals, therefore, the Black Cat Division in keeping with the state motto of ‘Clean Sikkim Green Sikkim’ and its own Eco Awareness Campaign took the initiative and organized this cleanliness drive in Karponang, the release explains.

The drive, aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of the Army and the civil population, began with an ecological awareness lecture for the children of the government schools and the locals in Karponang and concluded with the cleanliness drive today jointly by the Army and locals.

The Army had also taken the initiative to place signages sensitizing people to drive slowly in the area as well as emphasizing the importance of disposing waste responsibly. The event was well received and proved to be an educational experience for both the civil population and the Army, the release adds.