State level World Environment Day celebrated at Pangthang

ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 05 June: World Environment Day 2012 state-level celebration was organized by the Forest Department at Government Junior High School, Pangthang playground today on the theme “Green Economy, does it include you?”
Governor, Balmiki Prasad Singh who attended the occasion as the chief guest was accompanied by the Forest Minister, Bhim Dhungel, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Zilla Adhyakshas, Secretaries, senior government officials, Retired Forest Officers, members, PCCF Environment, Dr. Anil Mainra, PCCF cum Project Director[SBFP], Thomas Chandy and senior officials of the concerned department. The entourage then proceeded to plant rhododendron saplings in the school ground. The programme started with the Sikkim Police Brass band rendering the National Anthem.  
On the occasion, the Governor accompanied by the guests released a bilingual newsletter ‘Panda’ published half yearly by ENVIS which aims at dissemination of information on environment, forest and wildlife as well as serves as a medium for communication amongst the foresters and environmentalists.
Various other books, magazines and posters were also released on the day.
As an incentive the community organizer working under the Sikkim Bio-Diversity Conservation and Forest Management Project [SBFP] were provided with laptops. Cheques of Rs 1.50 lakh each to 22 JFMC/EDC presidents for entry point activities supported by SBFP, a total of Rs 33 lakh were also disbursed.
Environmental kits were distributed to Pangthang and Bojhoghari JHS. The kit consists of 2 dustbins for bio-degradable and 1 for non biodegradable waste along with an Environment calendar, Environment activity register, bio-diversity register and Paryavaran Mitra booklet.
During the programme students presented a cultural show which was followed by the presentation of green school awards comprising of Green Leaf trophies and CM Green School Rolling trophy award.
To promote environmental conservation and consciousness in school as well as the surrounding areas, the Chief Minister’s Green School Rolling and Green Leaf Trophies initiated from last year was awarded. Green Leaf Trophies with cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each was presented to Government Secondary school Rong, South Sikkim, Government Secondary school Tingley, South Sikkim, Government Secondary school, Government Senior Secondary school Deorali, East Sikkim and CM Rai Government Secondary school Jarong, South Sikkim.
While the Chief Minister Green School Rolling Trophy with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh was awarded to Dentam Senior Secondary school. These awards were given to the schools for their performance in Green Gobar Times Green School programme of the country.
Addressing the occasion, the Governor said “Let us remind ourselves importance of caring for our environment and lets join every year everywhere for preservation of environment and creating a feeling of difference for any visitors as soon as they enter the state where the Green Economy provides us an opportunity to rethink about the way we work and we have to be proactive if we are to create a green future”.
The programme was also addressed by Forest Minister, Bhim Dhungel, PCCF Environment Dr Anil Mainra and others.