Forest & Environment Department, Territorial Division Namchi organisies plantation drives at Assangthang and Phalidara.

The plantation drive had the presence of Minister for Urban Development and Food & Civil Supplies Departments, Mr Bhoj Raj Rai as the Chief Guest at Assangthang and MLA Namchi-Singhithang and Chairman Denzong Cooperative Society, Mr Satish Chandra Rai as the Chief Guest for Phalidara, respectively.

The events witnessed plantation drives under the flagship schemes of Mero Rukh, Mero Santatiti and Ek Ped Maa Ke Nam, where a total of 9 families planted around 1944 tree saplings under MRMS scheme and the Chief Guest and the Officers present planted tree saplings in memory and honour of their mothers under EPMKN scheme.

The parents of 18 newborn children were also present for the day’s event where they also participated fully in the plantation drive and later were also handed over with certificates and hampers to commemorate the event.

Both the Chief Guests were accompanied by DC Namchi Ms Anupa Tamling, ADC (HQ) Namchi Mr Subash Ghimirey, ADC Namchi Ms Tirsang Tamang, SDM (HQ) Namchi Mr Nim Pintsho Bhutia, SDM Namchi Mr Saran D Kalikotey, BDO Namchi Mr Upendra Rai, Joint Director Ecotourism Ms Tshering Denka Bhutia, Joint Director Sports and Youth Affairs Department Ms Tshering Ongmu Bhutia, DFO Territorial Ms Peggyla Tshering Venchungpa, ACF Territorial Mr Sanjeev Kr Rai, ACF Social Forestry Ms Sabi Gadaily, ACF Wildlife Ms Hari Maya Thapa, RO Territorial Mr John Rai, BOs, HFGs and officials from line departments.

The plantation events also had the participation from students of Phalidara JHS, Assangthang SS and 4 Battallion NCC Namchi as the volunteers to help in the smooth plantation process of the proposed tree saplings in both the venues.

It is to be stated that under MRMS scheme 108 tree saplings are planted for a newborn baby and under EPMKN scheme a tree sapling is planted by the concerned individual in memeory and honour of their mother. Both the schemes are a flagship programme envisioned by the Chief Minister of Sikkim Mr Prem Singh Tamang, leading to a susatinable environmental development and preservation.

Earlier, Minister Mr Bhoj Raj Rai along with officers and officials from the District Administrative Centre Namchi also took a short inspection of the drain leading to Assangthang, where the home owners encroaching the land and drain space were warned and advised to keep ample space along the drain for smooth flow of the water. The Minister also advised the Officers to take necessary actions to keep the drain free of pipelines and clog.