Celebration of World Environment Day 2023 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Namthang

Namchi, 5th June: World Environment Day was celebrated at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Namthang with the theme Mission LiFE (LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment).
It is the initiative announced at COP26 in Glasgow, to fight climate change and move towards a sustainable future. Various themes under the Mission LiFE pertaining to Rainwater harvesting (Catch the Rain), Smart Agriculture, Soil Health and Drone application in Agriculture was observed.
The programme was graced by the Honourable Zilla Panchayat Smt. Indra Kumari Chettri as the Chief Guest of the programme. Officials present were Senior Scientist and Head Shri. Indra Prasad Shivakoti, ADO cum Incharge (Soil testing Lab.) Shri Yograj Pradhan and the Subject Matter Specialists of the Kendra. Extension and field functionaries of the line departments, farmers and field staff participated in the programme.
At the onset of the programme, Senior Scientist and Head Shri. Indra Prasad Shivakoti welcomed the guests and gave a brief insight of the programme. He also spoke on the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ and the initiatives Sikkim has taken under this theme. ADO cum Incharge (Soil testing Lab.) Shri Yograj Pradhan brief the gathering about the Soil Health Management for the district and the upcoming activities that will be taken up by the Soil Section. Dr. Pravesh Shivakoty Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Protection) emphasized on the Mission LiFE theme given to the Institutes under ICAR and the climate resilient technologies taken up to mitigate the climate change. Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture) Yangchenla Bhutia through PowerPoint presentation gave a concise overview of Smart Agriculture and the components in it for modern agriculture in time ahead. Senior Research Fellow Ms. Nissi Gurung through her PowerPoint presentation delivered the importance of Rainwater Harvesting in present time to attenuate the water crisis in agriculture as well as household purposes. Seizing the moment of the gathering a short certificate and award distribution ceremony of the Skill training Programme of Bee keeping under ASCI was also held.
After the formal programme a plantation drive was carried out in the campus. The programme concluded with a field demonstration of the agriculture drone and its application by the drone pilots of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Dr. Pravesh Shivakoty and Dil Kumar Lamichaney. The programme ended with the vote of thanks by Dr. Chewang Norbu Bhutia Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Science).
(Press Release from KVK, Namthang)