Vigilance registers corruption case against a Forest Deptt AE

GANGTOK, 26 Nov: A Vigilance case has been registered against an Assistant Engineer in the Forest Department with the police agency finding prima facie case of corruption against the said official. The case was registered on 23 November and the Vigilance police carried out two raids at different places of residence of the said engineer the same day.
Officials inform that the case has been registered against Gangaram Sapkota, an Assistant Engineer, Civil, presently with the Forest Department.
It is informed that the Vigilance police received, what they call ‘source information’, that the accused had amassed wealth beyond his known sources of income. This was examined and a process of verification by the police agency convinced that prima facie, the accused had assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Officials, however, stopped short of disclosing the actual amount that has been found disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The raids by Vigilance police were conducted at Gangtok and Chota Singtam, both places where the AE is known to have his residences. Several documents and other articles have been seized by the police in the course of the raids which are in the process of being examined. Officials stress that a search warrant was obtained before the raids were conducted.
The AE in question has been in government service for over two decades and had joined service in the year 1986. The check period, however, is yet to be set by the Vigilance.
A vigilance case has been registered under section 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act read with Section 13 (1) (e) of the same Act. The sections deal with criminal misconduct by public servants; it also stipulates that any person on his behalf, if found in possession of assets which the accused cannot satisfactorily or disproportionate to his known sources of income. This means that his relatives can also be investigated.

Forest officials from Sikkim and Nepal undertake joint monitoring of West Sikkim border

GANGTOK, 08 Aug: A joint monitoring team comprising of Forest Department officials of Sikkim and Nepal surveyed the border areas of West Sikkim from 02-05 August to assess the ground situation regarding forest status, biodiversity and communities residing in these areas.
The five member team from Nepal comprised of DFOs of Panchthar and Taplejung, the two adjoining districts in Nepal, Chairman of Kanchanjungha Conservation Area Management Council (KCAMC) the protected area having contiguity with the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim and the Warden of KCAMC.  The Sikkim team was represented by DFOs of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary and Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, members of EDCs and two Himal Rakshaks. The joint monitoring was facilitated by WWF-India and WWF-Nepal, working under the 10-point agreement of the last transboundary meeting between Nepal and Sikkim organized in Gangtok in June 2011, an official press release informs.
The team acknowledges the cooperation and support rendered by the Sashastra Seema Bal officials during the monitoring, the release adds.
Starting from Uttarey in West Sikkim, the team reached Chewabhanjyang on the first day and then trekked along the border between the two countries interacting with herders and inspecting cattle sheds along the way. The absence of cattle sheds following the ban on grazing policy was noted by the team on the Sikkim side, whereas cattle sheds were present on the Nepal side.  While there was pressure on natural resources from these cattle sheds on both sides of the border, the team observed that the overall status of forest was good.
The herders from Nepal also commented that herding as a tradition was on the decline, as people had other livelihood options which the younger generation preferred more.  On the Nepal side, construction of the road that had been brought right till Chewabhanjyang had caused noticeable damage to the forests along the area leading to landslides and erosion.
Interaction with local communities also yielded information that trade in wildlife items had reduced considerably from the past with the removal of cattle sheds that had once acted as stations for poachers and hunters. The presence of Sashastra Seema Bal along the border on the Sikkim side also seemed to act as deterrent for illegal crimes as there was close monitoring of people moving along the borders.
The joint monitoring also facilitated sharing of best practices between the two adjoining countries, and future strategies were also discussed by the two teams. The monitoring team would report their observations at the next transboundary meeting to be organized in Pokhara, Nepal in the month of September.

Harvest time brings the Himalayan Black Bear out of forest cover

DEPTT TAKES PREVENTIVE MEASURES, SENSITIZES PUBLIC
AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 26 July: During the months of July-October, the Himalayan Black Bear leaves the cover of forest and ventures out in search of food. This is the time when they can come in contact with humans and also destroy standing crops.
To avoid all such conflicts between man and animal, the East Wildlife Division of the Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department [FE&WMD] conducted a meeting with the local people of Sumick, Thangsing and Khamdong [which falls under the Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary] recently to sensitize and bring awareness regarding the same.
Speaking to NOW! Assistant Conservator of Forest [Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary], ST Bhutia informed that it has been 04 to 05 years now that they have been receiving reports of man and animal conflicts including crop damage by bears from the above mentioned areas [Sumick, Thangsing and Khamdong] as these villages fall under the Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary. In the last five years there have been only two reports of bear attacks on villagers in these areas, he added.
The bears come out mainly during the harvesting season of maize, which falls usually around this time of the year, he said and added that it was not that there was no food in the jungles but because maize becomes easy food for the bears. To minimize such crop damages by bears, the department is using food and fruit plants, including maize in the forest areas so that the bears do not come out to agricultural lands to feed, he stated.
Since this is the time when the bears get easy food [maize], there are chances of human encounters with these animals and in order to prevent this, field staff have been posted at the villages and officers make visits on a regular basis, the ACF informed. The field staff and villagers have been provided with crackers, search lights, drums and a cage has also been kept along with a tranquilizer gun for use if needed, he added.
“We have also taken the help of the local villagers as volunteers [04 locals] which is a plus point because as locals of the area they know the locality and the area well and this will be a great help for the field staff, the watchers, the Range Officer and the Block Officer present”, the ACF stated and added that patrolling is done during the night as the bears move around especially at night and not during the day time.
The department has also conducted sensitization and awareness programmes for the people of the area and even school children, including the teachers were cautioned on the subject, he said and added that the department was trying its level best to control the situation. Some relief and compensation had also been provided to the locals for crop damages, he further informed.
Meanwhile, Divisional Forest Officer [Wildlife, East] Ravi Kumar informed that the department had also purchased torches which would soon be distributed to the villagers. “We are also carrying out census of the Himalayan Black Bear and assessing the population and the carrying capacity of the Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary”, he stated.
The DFO Wildlife informed that a complaint was recieved on 19 July from the Panchayat President of Sumick regarding crop damage by a bear in the area, so the department immediately deployed field staff at the reported area the very next day. A team of 5 Forest Officers and 4 local volunteers have begun patrolling the area from 20 July, he stated. The team is ready for tranquilizing the animal and for combing operations whenever an animal is reported in agricultural fields, he added.
A meeting regarding the same was also held which was attended by the Panchayat President [Sumick], the local public from Sumick, Thangsing and Khamdong, ACF [FWLS], Range Officer [FWLS, West] and the field staff, he informed.
The DFO [Wildlife, East] has appealed to the people of East Sikkim to restrict their movement into the sanctuary area as well as dense forested areas, especially during early mornings and late evenings as bears come out during that time. He has asked the school children to be accompanied by at least one adult and urged the locals to move around in groups of three or more.

Forest unveils slew of eco-tourism projects

GOLITAR AND BARSEY PROJECTS UNDERWAY, ONE MORE PROPOSED AT PANGOLAKHA SANCTUARY 
GANGTOK, 04 May: The Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department [FE&WMD] has initiated eco-tourism development projects through which the department aims to boost the tourism sector of the state on the one hand and increase the activities and revenue of the Eco-Development Committees [EDCs] on the other.
Following the development of eco-tourism projects in state the Department of Forest has begun a project at Golitar under Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary which is funded by North Eastern Council [NEC], Shillong. The total estimated cost of the project is said to be Rs. 3.94 crore and the entire amount is informed to be borne by the NEC as financial assistance but to begin with only Rs. 1.24 crore has been sanctioned. It is informed that after completion of the first phase of the work the second installment is expected to be released by NEC.
Divisional Forest Officer [DFO], Wild Life [East] Ravi Kumar stated that the objective of the project is to create excellent eco-tourism facilities, empowerment of local people by generating awareness and involvement in the day-to-day management of sanctuaries.
The project even aims to promote eco-tourism in the state in an eco-friendly way, create a conservation oriented approach among the user agencies, create baseline data for future management, develop human resource among local people, and to create excellent interpretation facilities and scientific disposal of garbage.
Coming up of such a project will help in the conservation of biodiversity of the sanctuary and empower the local people along with promoting eco-tourism which eventually will help in better management of the sanctuary, added DFO [WL,East].
He went on to add that all the construction work initiated is being executed through Pangthang Eco-Development Committee [EDC] and the works carried out are within the norms of Forest Development Agency [FDA] like regular FDA works.
After completion of the said project all the infrastructure facilities would be managed and maintained by Pangthang EDC which will also develop human resource among the local people, provide employment to the local educated youth and active involvement in the management of the sanctuary, stated DFO [WL, East].
The project will have Nature interpretation center-cum-office at Golitar, eco-huts, forest guards barrack, approach roads, parking yard, footpath, viewing deck, cafeteria, Gazzebo, traditional entry gate, lake and many more, he iterated.
Likewise, he informed that the Wildlife Circle under Forest Department has also proposed another similar eco- tourism project for Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary as well which is also expected to be funded by NEC.
Adding more, the DFO, WL [West] Tshering Pintso informed that a similar kind of project has just kicked off at West District at Hee Patal under Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary with the name ‘Banwas’. The total estimated cost of the project is about Rs. 2.80 crore and the project is also funded by NEC. He stated that the construction of the said project began a few months back and the project will consist of three traditional houses of Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepali, cafeteria, Banwas house and many more.

Forest Minister hands out cash awards to top 5 Green Schools of the state

GANGTOK, 17 April: Minister for Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department [FE&WMD] Bhim Dhungel released the balance amount of the enhanced cash awards to the top 05 schools under the Green School Programme-2011 here in the Capital in a small function today.
The heads of the top 5 schools were handed the enhanced cash award by the Minister.
The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling during his address on the occasion of the World Environment Day celebration on 05 June, 2011 at Chintan Bhawan had announced enhancements in the cash award from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5 lakh for the first position and from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 1 Lakh each for second to fifth position. The awards scheme with the most prestigious Chief Minister Green School Rolling Trophy was also launched on the same day and the award scheme has been notified vide official gazette No. 627 dated 2/12/2011.
Likewise, the meritorious schools for 2010-11 session to receive the enhanced cash awards are Middle Camp Secondary School [first], Reshi SS [second], Lower Samdong SS [third], Lingchom SS [fourth] and Linkey SS [fifth] respectively.
The said award scheme has been introduced to encourage more schools to participate in the environment management programmes.
The Minister apart from handing over the enhanced cash amount to the top 5 schools under Green School Programme-2011 even honored the heads of Dentam SSS, Deorali Girls SSS and Tingley SS who bagged the first, second and fourth Gobar Times Green Schools National Award 2011-12, recently.

Govt works towards regularizing Taungya settlements in forest reserves

GANGTOK, 16 April: At long last the State government has taken up the case of Taungyadars [forest plantation labourers] in the state and explore the possibilities of regularization of their land-holdings in forest reserves. There are numerous reserve forest areas in the state which have been settled down the years by individuals, however, for the purpose of regularization, the State government is only examining those cases and encroachments which took place before the enactment of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
Taungyadars had been engaged by the Forest Department to carry out plantation works in the reserve forests during the pre-Merger [pre-1975] times, much before the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 were extended to Sikkim.
The Taungyadars were settled inside the reserve forest areas and are now seen as encroachers as per the new rules in place. Now, the Forest Department has decided to invoke the guidelines under the Forest Conservation Act which provide for the regularization of the forest land occupied by the Taungyadars after fulfillment of certain conditions. For this purpose, committees have been set up in each district to examine and recommend the cases of the Taungyadars and other encroachers of Forest Land who have been staying continuously in the forest lands prior to the enactment of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. The committees consist of the DFO (Territorial) of the respective districts, Social Welfare Officer and the SDM.
For the purpose of examination of the cases of the Taungyadars and encroachers the committees will conduct joint inspections of the forest land occupied by them. Before seeking alternatives in terms of relocation, the committees will first ascertain and make sure that the occupants or the Taungya or encroachers of the forest land were settled prior to the date of the enactment of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 which is 25 October, 1980. In the event that the Taungya or encroacher village is located in the middle of the reserve forest, the possibility of re-location of the village to the periphery of the forest area is to be explored as well.
Joint surveys are also to be conducted on forest lands to ascertain which of the lands were encroached by individuals within the district other than the Taungyadars prior to the enactment of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and following this a proposal for their regularization is to be submitted.
On completion of the inspections and the cases a complete proposal is to be put up to the Secretary, Forest Department for examination and further action.

Cemetery compound re-demarcated, community thanks Govt

GANGTOK, 18 March: The compound of the Christian burial ground here at Bagthang was re-demarcated by the Forest Department on 17 March following a complaint filed by the Christian Burial Ground Committee alleging encroachment of the 2 acre plot set aside by the State Government for a cemetery. A CBGC press
release informs that the re-demarcation was carried out by a team of Forest Deptt officials comprising of the DFO [T] and DFO [Survey & Settlement]. Also present at the spot on the day were ward councilors, president and secretary of the CBGC and about 20 to 30 Pastors and Christian leaders.
The re-demarcation survey confirmed extensive encroachment and the release adds that encroachers agreed, in the presence of Forest officials, to vacate the area at the earliest.
“The Christian community feels that the survey and demarcation will go a long way to secure the area and preserve the same for posterity,” states the CBGC president, Rev Joseph Tamang. The community now plans to develop the cemetery “adopting eco-friendly approach” and undertake beautification works to promote
it as a tourist attraction.
The committee, on behalf of the Christian community, has expressed gratitude towards and appreciation of the State Government’s gesture in allotting land for a burial ground and has also thanked  officials of Forest Department for extending all assistance whenever called for.

NHPC paid Rs. 75 lakh as ‘damage compensation’ for unauthorized dumping, confirm forest officials and Cabinet proceedings

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 05 Mar: With the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation [NHPC] claiming that the news-report “NHPC fined Rs. 75 Lakh for irresponsible dumping of waste” [published in NOW! dated 28 February 2012] as being ‘misleading’ and ‘misreported’, some facts have come to light and the report stands correct. NHPC, in a rejoinder [read NOW! dated 05 March 2012], has claimed that it was not fined at that it had “agreed to pay Rs. 74.5 lakh to Forest Department for strengthening and improving the protection works in the vulnerable areas on recommendation of a committee consisting of officials of NHPC & Forest Department” to amicably settle an old dispute.
It has been confirmed that the Forest Department was convinced that NHPC had carried out illegal and unauthorized dumping of excavated debris and muck in the Singtam-Dikchu belt, extensively damaging government property in more than eight locations which include the Balutar river bank, Patuk Adit-III, Samdong Adit-II, Dikchu Dam site, Makha Reserve Forest, Road Reserve at Ghattey to Balutar, Lower Samdong, Elaichey Reserve Forest and various other small areas which fall under the Forest department.
Public Prosecutor for the Forest Department, Advocate Jagat Rai, confirmed that NHPC and the Forest Department had amicably settled the matter out of court in the presence of witnesses on 29 January 2011 and as per the said agreement both parties had compromised on the matter of settlement at Rs. 74.5 Lakh.
“The amount was clearly a compensation for damage which NHPC and the Forest department settled out of court. At the relevant time, when NHPC had carried out these illegal dumping there was enough evidence of extensive damage which had totaled the compensation package to a tune of around Rs 14 crore under the Forest Conservation Act 1980. However, the amount was reduced when the inspection committee visited these areas later,” explained Mr. Rai.
He also informed that the Civil Title Suit was first registered in the Court of the District Judge (East & North) Gangtok in 2002 and then transferred to the Special Division (1) in 2010. The long pending case reached a conclusion for the dispute on the basis of a settlement agreement dated 29.1.2011.
“An Injunction Order was passed against NHPC and the Sub-Contractor against illegal dumping, heaping excavated muck into the river bank, river reserve and other non-diverted forest land on the same day the Civil Title Suit was registered,” informed Mr.Rai.
Sources also reveal that NHPC, in the initial years of the filing of the case, had offered the Forest department a settlement package of Rs. 2 crore which was turned down by the department as the case was still in court [claiming Rs. 14 crore]. The Forest department wanted to continue fighting the case initially but with the case pending for almost ten years, it was decided that a settlement be reached instead.
BK Tewari, Conservator of Forests, Territorial, while speaking to NOW! today informed that the ‘damage compensation’ had been transferred to the Land Use circle/division of the Forest department for restoration recently and that protective work was being initiated. He explained that the devastation caused by unauthorized dumping by NHPC was extensive when it was first noticed by the locals and the Range Officer (RO) who filed the complaint with the department, but as time passed by the rain and the Teesta had already washed away most of the excavated muck.
“The investigation, compensation assessment for damage restoration was done by a joint committee which constituted forest officials and representatives of the NHPC much later by when most of the damage done had been eroded. Later, it was after the inspection by the committee that an estimate of Rs. 75 lakh was decided upon,” stated the CF.
It may also be informed that the proceedings of a Cabinet Meeting held on 28 November 2011 had also approved the proposal of the Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management department seeking permission to utilize Rs. 75,55,000 provided by the authority of NHPC/Teesta stage-V as “Compensation towards unauthorized dumping of muck and damaging the Government property at Dikchu Dam site and Elaichey Khola in East Sikkim.” The fund will be utilized to carry out the restoration work as mentioned in the Cabinet Memo.No.1222/GOS/FEWMD Dated 16.09.2011.

Awareness prog on garbage and stray dog management held at Zuluk

GANGTOK, 01 Mar: An awareness programme on garbage and stray dog management was organised by the Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department [FE&WMD] and WWF-India, Khangchendzonga Landscape Programme at Zuluk in East Sikkim on 29 February for the people of the area.
Addressing the awareness programme, Manjeet Singh [Secretary-cum-PCCF, FE&WMD] stated that there are seven Wildlife Sanctuaries in the state of Sikkim which were made for the protection of wildlife. People and scientists visit sanctuaries for study and research work only, he added.
He informed that people mostly get to see wild animals only in zoos, but the people of Zuluk are lucky as they were living in an area next to a wildlife reserve and could see wild animals in their very own forests. Even tourists don’t get to see such beautiful nature and climate, which are experienced in Sikkim and this is the very reason why tourists come to visit the state, so people must conserve the environment, he further added.
He further informed the people about the various programmes and works being done by the department for the welfare of the environment and the people living in and around the sanctuaries. The Secretary further added that the department was conducting immunization programmes for various domestic animals present in the villages in the fringe areas of the sanctuaries.
He also stated that 20 LPG connections would be distributed to the people by the department very soon, so that people don’t have to depend on fire wood, thereby avoiding man-animal conflict in the forests. He further added that it was necessary to keep good relations with the army as they were in the state for the protection of the people.
During his power-point presentation on wildlife of Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, Conservator of Forest, Gut Lepcha informed that though Sikkim was a very small state as compared to other states, it is very rich in flora and fauna. Sikkim has the most species of butterflies and birds and has many plants and medicinal herbs, which are not found any where else, he added.
Dr. Partho Shah [senior project officer, WWF-India] in his presentation stated that the Red Panda Project was started in 2005 in Sikkim and no former study had been conducted before that on the animal, except the one conducted in Darjeeling from 1996 to 2000. The best forest area in Sikkim is the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary and the study on Red Panda was conducted here, he said and added that according to a study conducted by WWF-India there were about 20 to 25 Red Pandas in the Sanctuary as it was the best habitat available for them in the state.
Lieutanant Colonel Aditiya Srivastava of the 9th Gorkha Rifles speaking on behalf of the army informed that the army did not allow hunting or killing of wild animals and even cutting of fire wood by locals was not allowed in the army area. The biggest culprits of waste and garbage is the army but the army was working on how to take care of their waste, he said and added that the army is doing its bit for the protection of the environment and nature in Sikkim.
The programme was also addressed by Dr. Anil Minra [Additional PCCF & Project Director, JICA], Dr. Thinley Bhutia [SARAH, Animal Husbandry & Veteniary Sciences Department], Usha Lachungpa [senior research officer, FE&WMD], Priyadarshinee Shrestha [landscape Coordinator, WWF-India] and Lak Cheden Theeng [senior project officer, WWF-India], who spoke on garbage, feral and stray dog management in the area, while the awareness programme was also attended by Forest Department officials, local people and school children.

NHPC fined Rs 75 lakh for irresponsible dumping of waste

GANGTOK, 27 Feb: In a move which should caution power developers in the State to avoid irresponsible and illegal dumping of waste materials like excavated debris in this fragile eco-system, the Department of Forests, Environment and Wildlife has fined NHPC a sum of Rs. 75 lakh for violation of Forest laws and unauthorized dumping of muck at Elaichi Khola and the area downstream of Teesta Stage V in the East district.
Keeping in view the fragile environment and vulnerability of flora and fauna in the area surrounding Teesta Stage-V, the Forest Department had directed NHPC to pay a fine of a few crores for rehabilitation purposes which was later reduced to approximately Rs. 75 lakh in an out-of-court settlement.
Speaking to NOW! today, PCCF cum Additional Chief Secretary, M Singh, informed that the Range Officer under whose jurisdiction the affected area falls had submitted a complaint regarding the illegal dumping in these specific spots late last year. The damage to these areas was so drastic that the Forest Department had to take the matter to court for a fair decision.
However, it was known that both the parties compromised and reached an amicable settlement of Rs. 75 lakh, the amount which has now been transferred to the Land Use circle of the Forest Department for early implementation of rehabilitation works in these areas.
“Actually, the damage to these areas was extensive initially when we surveyed the area for which we had fined the power developer a huge sum, but it so happened that the illegal and unauthorized dumping in these areas had been done quite some time back and with the change in seasons most of the muck and debris had been cleared away by rain and the Teesta, because of which the fine component was brought down,” informed the PCCF.
He also informed that protective works in these areas have already started since the fine amount was transferred into the department’s account late last year. The complaint of unauthorized dumping was first raised by the locals of the area who in the initial stages of the construction of Stage V [some five years back] were unawares about what was happening back then.
“Earlier, the people were not aware that this was a violation but as years passed the locals of the area realized that the Forest Department actually has diversions in place for dumping which are also known as authorized dumping areas, which were not being used by the power developers thereby violating the law,” he informed.
It was further mentioned that since the power projects are here for developmental works in the state which is also why the Forest Department decided to come to an out of court settlement.
“The fine amount was agreed to by both parties and an amicable solution reached after a thorough assessment. The fine amount was also decided upon by the Central Monitoring Committee who also visited these areas which by the time was not in such a bad shape as it was when the complaint was initially made. We had to agree as our evidence was washed away by the river and also because we didn’t want the developmental pace in Sikkim to be affected,” explained the PCCF.

Immunization camp for domestic animals around Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary

AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 24 Feb: An Immunization Camp for domestic animals in the fringe villages of Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary was organised by the East Wildlife Division, Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management at Lingtam Block [upper Martam] today.
The people living in the villages around the Fambonghlo Wildlife Sanctuary have domestic animals which are let loose for grazing in the nearby forest areas and we don’t want these animals to transmit diseases to the wild animals falling within the Sanctuary area, informed Assistant Conservator of Forest, Fambonghlo Wildlife Sanctuary, ST Bhutia while speaking to NOW! today.
This is being done basically as a preventive measure and the animals are being vaccinated against the Foot & Mouth Disease [FMD] as this is a highly contagious disease and can be transmitted to the wild animals if they come in contact with the domestic animals, he added.
Another reason for selecting these villages are that the people from these villages earn their livelihood by selling meat, milk and milk products and thus have a lot of domestic animals, so as a precautionary measure, the Forest Department is holding this vaccination camp, the ACF stated.
We have covered more than 30 households and have vaccinated more than a 100 animals [cows and goats] falling in this village, said Veterinary Officer, Zoo and Wildlife, FE&WM Department, Dr. Karma Doma Bhutia. We are vaccinating the animals to protect them from the highly contagious Foot & Mouth Disease, she added.
This is being done to save wildlife as it is not possible for us to go after wild animals within the Sanctuary, so it is better to vaccinate the domestic animals living around the Sanctuary area, she informed.
She was accompanied by Compounder Sohn Tshering Lepcha, a Veterinary Stockman from the Department of Animal Husbandry and one more helper to help vaccinate the animals.
We are very thankful to the Forest Department, the doctors and the Wildlife Officers for taking such a step in saving not only our domestic animals but also saving wildlife, stated Ward Panchayat, Lingtam Block, upper Martam, SP Machongpa. This is a good scheme of the government and equally very helpful for the villagers, he added.
The vaccination camp is a totally centrally sponsored scheme and is being carried out by the Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department with a fund of Rs. 40,000. On 25 February, the vaccination camp will be carried out in Ranka and then on 26 February it will be done in Dhanbari, informed RO Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary, Jigme Bhutia.

JICA on Sikkim recce to inspect and assess damages as well as progress of Forest projects

RS13.12 CRORE SANCTIONED BY JICA
SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 03 Feb: Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] representatives are in the state at present to review the JICA assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project [SBFP] and to assess the damages to the infrastructures under the Forest Department incurred by the 18 September earthquake. In response, JICA has sanctioned Rs 13.12 crore to provide financial support to the state to rebuild the Forest Department’s infrastructures devastated by the earthquake.
JICA representatives, Miho Horikawa and Vineet Sarin, arrived in the state on 31 January and have been visiting various project sites of SBFP and are also visiting other sites to make spot assessment of the damages to forest infrastructures in the state by the earthquake.
The JICA representatives accompanied by Forest Department officials made visits to various sites of SBFP project in East and North Sikkim to review the progress of the project on the field. They also participated in the stakeholder’s consultant workshop on ecotourism held at Dzongu on 31 January where Mr Sarin encouraged the locals to take full advantage provided by the JICA to develop ecotourism in Dzongu and to generate economical activities and also to safeguard their unique resources. The team also met the Dzumsas of Lachen and Lachung and discussed the conservation and livelihood priority of the community.
The JICA representatives interacted with the officials of SBFP, Project Management Unit [PMU] officers and Project Management Consultants [PMC] in a review meeting at Forest Department conference hall today.
In the meeting, SBFP, PMU and PMC briefed JICA representatives on the physical and financial progress of the activities under biodiversity conservation and forest management, ecotourism, joint forest management and infrastructure development.
Mr Sarin mentioned that they have been visiting various spots to review the physical works on the field. He expressed his happiness with the progress of the works under the SBFP till date. However, he indicated that there was a need to speed up the pace of works as there were many more coming up.
Mr Sarin stressed that focus needed to be given on the quality and on biodiversity protection and promotion of ecotourism in the state. Ecotourism projects will be a flag bearer for the whole country, he expressed. He stressed that the project will be beneficial to the state for the preservation and development of its biodiversity in a more scientific way.   However, he stated that the main focus of the project is to improve the socio-economic condition of the people. He mentioned that JICA would like to support Sikkim to rehabilitate and rebuild its damaged infrastructures.
Mr Sarin mentioned that the response and support from the state government is exemplary and encouraging and indicated the government’s interest towards the promotion of ecotourism and biodiversity preservation. He also observed that the people are also enthusiastic for the commencement of the project.
Ms Horikawa also expressed her satisfaction with the progress of the project in the state so far.
APCCF-cum-Project Director [SBFP], Dr Anil Mainra stated that all the suggestions given by the JICA representatives will be taken seriously and will be included in due course. He also expressed his gratitude to JICA for supporting Sikkim morally and financially in the time of natural disaster and for lending a helping hand in conserving the unique biodiversity of the state.
It was informed that during 2011-12, activities for village and forest development, income generation and capacity building and exposure visits for JFMCs and EDCs were included in the selected 45 targeted villages initially and plantation on 100 ha of land in 25 monasteries and temples were carried out. To enhance the biodiversity improvement efforts, 5 JFM nurseries and 5 propagation nurseries to propagate rare and important species have been established so far and construction work is in progress to create 6 Range Offices, 10 Block Offices and 4 Check Posts. In addition various manuals on the Ecotourism Policy, Joint Forest Management Manual and Community Organizers Manual have been developed.
It was informed that to strengthen the capacity of the Forest Department staff, a detailed training master plan and training plan has been prepared. Development of the GIS and MIS capacity of the Forest Department is on the track as formalities for acquisition for software and hardware and creation of facilities are in progress. Under the project various major infrastructures like Office Building at Deorali, Training Institute at Pangthang, Butterfly Park at Rang Rang are proposed and works are in various stages of development.

13 Forest Guards ready for deployment

GANGTOK, 31 Jan: The basic training course in Forestry and allied subjects to the 13 untrained Forest Guards [FGs] was conducted from 12 December, 2011 to 30 January, 2012 at Forest Range Office [Territorial] situated at Baluwakhani.
They were physically trained in drill and saluting and also given practical training in apprehension of forest offenders, recording of statements, seizure of properties, measurement of timber and logs and filing of report to the officers.
They were also trained in Botanization, eco-development activities, biodiversity conservation programme, firefighting, man and animal conflict, forest survey, map reading and application of modern tools like GPS. The trainees were well trained in adopting plantation methodology and nursery techniques.
The closing ceremony of the 50-day training had the PCCF cum Secretary Forest, ST Lachungpa as the chief guest today at the Forest Range Office, Baluwakhani and was attended by senior officers of the department. The certificate of training was awarded to the trainees by the Forest Secretary.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by DFO (T) East, N Tshering Bhutia.

JICA commits Rs 13 crore towards earthquake restoration

GANGTOK, 23 Jan: The State Forest Department has received formal approval from Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] for funds of Rs 13.12 crore to restore damage suffered by departmental infrastructure in the 18 September earthquake.
With JICA’s approval confirmed on 12 Jan, the Forest Department has pulled out its application seeking a similar fund from the Union Government for repairing earthquake damaged infrastructures, said Forest Secretary, ST Lachungpa in a press conference today.
Mr Lachungpa said that in the aftermath of the 18 September earthquake a detailed project report on restoration and renovation of departmental infrastructure damaged was prepared and submitted to JICA for funds. The restoration works are likely to commence by February, added Mr Lachungpa.
Additional PCCF and JICA assisted Sikkim Biodiversity and Forest Management Project Director, Anil Mainra informed that since major restoration works will be taken under JICA funding, the Union Government has expressed its willingness to fund the left over works under Integrated Forest Management System.
Two representatives of JICA will be visiting Sikkim on 30 Jan for a five-day trip during which they will assess the damages and funding estimated in our report, said Mr Mainra.
Mr Mainra further informed that the earthquake restoration fund of Rs 13.12 crore will come from the JICA project he explained that the JICA funding is done in the Japanese Yen which currently has a strong value in Indian currency. This fluctuation of rates in Yen and Indian Rupee and the profit derived through this has increased the total JICA funding for the project by 10-15%.

Inter-departmental workshop on lessons to learn from NAP implementation

GANGTOK, 23 Jan: A state-level Inter-departmental Workshop on Convergence of National Afforestation Programme [NAP] and other schemes for Joint Management and Eco-development Committees [EDC] and field-level staff of Sikkim was held today at the Forest Dept conference hall, Deorali.
Organized by the Regional Centre Jadavpur and State Forest Development Agency [SFDA], Sikkim, the workshop’s aim is to take cue from the experience of NAP implementation to make future programmes more efficient and effective.
NAP schemes aim to support and accelerate the ongoing process of devolving forest protection, management and development functions to decentralized institutions of JFMSs at the village level, and FDAs at the Forest level. The overall objective is to develop forest resources with people’s participation with emphasis on livelihood improvement of the forest-fringe communities, especially the poor.
Present at the workshop were IFS,CCF[T] Sikkim, Madam Bharati, IFS Addl PCCF/CWLW, Manjeet Singh, Sr. Scientist Regional centre NAEB, MoEF, Jadavpur University,  M Chatterjee, Research Scientist Regional centre NAEB, MoEF, , Jadavpur University, S Das.
During the workshop, Mr. Singh said that “All the projects except for Golitar are being carried out under the JICA, which are going well till now. The management committees in all the four districts are doing well. The Forest department has done a lot of work in many places and I am very thankful to Jadavpur University for organizing such a programmee”.
Ms Bharati said that the system has totally changed now to a bottom-up approach which brings about holistic development. People in the villages know what exactly the forest department is doing for them and there has been a lot of progress, she added.
Mr Das also added that this workshop is all about the convergence of other departments in the NAP scheme which include Aided Natural Regeneration, Artificial Regeneration, Bamboo Plantation, Mixed Plantation of trees having MFP and medicinal value. The main objective of NAP is to protect forests but it is not just upto the forest department to improve it which is where the point of convergence comes in, said Mr Das.
Immediate wage income through asset creation, development of mechanism for capital building, convergence of other Government Departments to generate wage income and production income through training and input were also highlighted by Mr Das.

Forest Minister leads inspection tour to projects around Gangtok

GANGTOK, 22 Jan: Forest Minister Bhim Dhungel, accompanied by PCCF-cum-Secretary, ST Lachungpa and senior officers of the Forest Department visited the worksites of the Japan International Corporation Agency [JICA] assisted Pangthang Nursery, Golitar Project in East Sikkim, proposed floriculture nursery at Bulbuley and the ongoing road construction work at Forest Colony on 21 January.
All the projects except for Golitar are being carried out under the JICA assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest management Project. Infrastructure development under JICA is carried out mainly to strengthen the administration of the Forest Department.
The PCCF-cum- Secretary stated that the majority of the existing forest infrastructure was constructed way back in 1957 and is in a dilapidated condition. Under JICA competent architects have been involved to develop the existing infrastructure.  The designs are all of a high standard and as far as possible it has been designed in a manner so as to leave less carbon footprint.
The three major structures are the office building at Deorali, Training Institute at Pangthang and the officers’ quarters at Forest Colony. The design of these structures is based on the concept of having a green building including designs that are energy saving, for example the use of space heating centers, solar panels, water harvesting ecological waste treatment, vertical garden, insulating the entire building with eco-friendly material.
In addition to these major buildings there is also provision for the new construction of Range Offices, Check Post and Block Offices. There are also plans for improvement of forest infrastructure destroyed during the recent earthquake of 18 September, 2011 all over Sikkim under SBFP.
The Forest Minister, Bhim Dhungel while speaking to media persons at Golitar informed that supporting facilities, approach roads at the Fambong Lha Wlidlife Sanctuary and the Sanctuary were being prepared for the ‘High End Tourists’ that visit Gangtok and are interested in nature.
The area would be developed as a nature integration centre having facilities of cafeteria, viewpoint, car park, living quarters, eco huts along with an artificial lake for the visiting tourists, he added. The project started in November 2011 at an estimated cost of Rs. 4 crore and is set to be completed by 2014, the Minister further informed.
This is a unique and innovative work taken up by the department and regular visits are being made by department officials to see that quality work is being done by the people as envisaged by the Chief Minister, the Minister informed.
The Pangthang Nursery, the first of its kind has been constructed by the Forest Department. The main objective of creating the Semi Hi-tech Nursery at Pangthang is to propagate important species of wild edible fruits, like Pomsi, walnut etc, informed ST Lachungpa [PCCF-cum-Secretary].
Species of ecological importance like Larix, Betula etc also nee to be propagated and conserved for which ex-situ propagation is necessary. Also in certain forestry species the natural regeneration in the wild is difficult due to abiotic and biotic factors. Certain species have less viability, he added.
The seedlings will be grown in special root trainers. The advantage of root trainers is that they will occupy less space, the roots will be well trained and survival percentage will increase. Root trained seedlings are easier to transport to the plantation site without disturbing the roots. Also root trainers help in air pruning the roots thereby making it more hardy.
Unlike polybags which has to be disposed after use, root trainers can be reused, so it is more eco friendly, he further informed.
Meanwhile, The Secretary further stated that the Bulbuley Floriculture Nursery, under JICA assisted SBFP project will be propagating species that are of aesthetic value. The plants grown in this nursery will be used for beautification of roads during green mission, in gardens all over Sikkim and tourist spots.
It is designed in a manner that is in conformity with the landscape of that area. A simple green house will be created that will house temperate and tropical species, the existing footpath and gazebo will be improved so that visitors can also enjoy the beauty of the forest, wilderness and the existing waterfall. It will be a compact ecotourism site and will showcase Japanese cherry, peony, maple species etc.
Construction of new officers’ quarters at Forest Colony since the existing quarters are old and insufficient is also proposed and the road being constructed under JICA assisted SBFP Project will lead to these quarters, informed Manjit Singh [APCCF].
The design and planning stage of the quarters have already been completed and it is now at the tender stage. Within a period of a month the tender will be done, he said and added that it is also proposed to create a new Gangtok Range Office.
Also present during the tour were Dr. Anil Mainra [APCCF-cum-Project Director], Mrs. Bharati [CCF,Territorial], Dechen Lachungpa [DFO SBFP,N/E], and Forest department officials.

Pilot project on ‘Artemisia Annua’, a medicinal plant, on the anvil

36 FARMERS FROM ALL FOUR DISTRICTS SELECTED FOR THE PROJECT
ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 20 Jan: A meeting on cultivation of Artemisia Annua, a medicinal plant, in consultation with the Council for Socio-Economic and Environmental Research [CSER], Guwahati, was held at the Forest Department conference hall at Deorali today.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Consultant, Arindam Choudhary and Coordinator Gunamani Das, from CSER Guwahati, PCCF-cum-Secretary, ST Lachungpa and Joint Director, Karma Legshey.
In his presentation, Mr Choudhary mentioned that the climate of Sikkim is best suitable for growing Artemisia Annua and can be successfully cultivated by the farmers. He further informed that the project proposal was also discussed with the Project Director and it has been decided to implement this project in Sikkim as a pilot project with the approval of the State Government. A meeting with selected farmers from four districts regarding the project was held on 10 January, he informed.
The Chief Consultant, speaking on his organization informed that it was a semi-governmental non-profitable organization working for the promotion, cultivation and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants throughout the North Eastern states.
“We have selected a total number of 36 farmers from all the four districts including 15 farmers from North, 6 from South, 10 from East and 5 from West Sikkim and we need support from all sides,” he said.
Mr Choudhary also stated that there is a lack of marketing in Sikkim, so the CSER will be focusing on that.
“The main objective is establishment of herbal garden, demonstration unit and experimental trial plots of some selected medicinal and aromatic plants having high market value which can be taken up for commercial cultivation in the North East Region,” he added.
CSER Coordinator, Ms Das mentioned that the organization has chosen Artemisia Annua especially for the State of Sikkim as the climate here is more suitable for this plant in comparison to other medicinal plants.
It is a short-day [requiring long periods of darkness] temperate plant, which requires cold winters and moderate summers and is a cash crop with industrial importance and export potentiality with less investment involved in cultivation, she further mentioned.
She also shared that the main objective of the organization is to promote the cultivation of this medicinal plant in Sikkim as it is fast gaining importance as a source of drugs against choloroquin [quinine] resistant malaria and cerebral malaria.

Foresters book 3 for illegal felling in Ravangla, main accused still absconding

NAMCHI, 20 Jan: Illicit felling of trees is a crime but is still in practice in various parts of the state which has been proven by a recent incident at one of the Reserve Forests under Ravangla Sub Division in South Sikkim.
Forest Department personnel, during a routine patrolling in the Ravangla Range, discovered that illegal felling was underway inside the reserve forest of Kopchey-Pathing.
Following this, an FIR was lodged by the BO (T), Ravangla, Sanjeev Kr. Chettri at the office of Range Officer (T) Ravangla detailing that an illegally felled ‘katus’ tree had also been found during the patrolling.
On 17 January, a case was registered as Rabong Forest Case No: 26/RTR/STD/2012 Dated 17/01/2012 Under Section 20 (g) (ii) (h) (i) (k)/ 83/ 84 of SFWC, RR, P&P Act, 1988 and investigation initiated.
Range Officer (T), Ravangla, Anup Jyoti Banya, informed that three accused - Bal Bahadur Rai, Roshan Rai and Thirtha Manger - were arrested and produced before the Judicial Magistrate, District & Sessions Court, South and West at Namchi from where they have been sent to the district jail at Namchi on 15 days Judicial remand.
During interrogation the accused are reported to have revealed that the main culprit behind the illicit felling of trees was one Kesher Lal Gurung of Pathing village, Yangang, South Sikkim, the RO further informed. A criminal case has been registered against him by the Department of Forest, Environment and Wild Life Management Department, Territorial Division at Ravangla.
While the main accused is still absconding, the RO assured that the matter has been taken up seriously by the Department and the accused will be put behind bars soon.

On spotting a ‘Kaala’ in town…

USHA LACHUNGPA

Everyone was looking upwards as we drove by the STNM Hospital Dara at around 9.30 a.m. on 18 Nov, 2011. We stopped to investigate. A clearly visible, large male ‘KAALA’, the Himalayan Palm Civet, was climbing up the lone Cupressus funebris at the taxi stop as more people gathered under it to gawk.

Golitar being developed for eco-tourism

GANGTOK, 05 Dec: Development of Eco-Tourism at Golitar in Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary, a project to develop the area as the best eco-tourism destination near the State capital has been initiated by the East Wildlife Division, Department of Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management.