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Biodiversity : There are five types of
Forests in Sikkim. They are:
1. Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests,
2. Sub-Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests,
3. Temperate Broad Leaved Forests,
4. Sub-Alpine Mixed Coniferous Forests and
5. Alpine Scrubs. Sikkim harbours over 400
species of flowering plants, 300 species of ferns and allies, 11
species of oaks, 8 species of tree ferns, 40 species of Primulas
and 20 species of bamboo, 550 species of Orchods, 36 species of
Rhododendron and 9 species of conifers A large number of medicinal
herbs and shrubs are found in Sikkim. The faunal wealth of Sikkim
comprises of 144 species of mammals, 600 species of birds, 550
species of butterflies and moths, and 33 species of reptiles and
16 species of frogs.
Mountain Peaks, Lakes etc:
There are 28 number of mountain peaks, 28
glaciers, 180 lakes and 104 lakes and streams.
1. STATE POLICY OF ENVIRONMENT FORESTS AND LAND USE:
The State Legislative Assembly passed Resolution on State Policy
of Environment, Forest and Land Use 2000 vide No. 764/F/ENV & WL
dated 18th March 2000.
2. ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS:
Forestry and Wildlife Sector
(i) Afforestation
Afforestation is one of the major activities of the Department.
Although afforestation was being carried out since inception of
this department, it took pace with the announcement of the year
1995 as Harit Kranti Year by the Government. Since then the
Government of Sikkim has given top priority for creating more and
more green cover in forests as well as in private wastelands.
Since then, over 45000 ha. of degraded forest lands and about
15000 ha. of private land has been covered by tree, fodder,
fuelwood and ornamental plantations and by aided natural
regeneration.
(ii) Forest Protection
Of late, protection of forests have become the challenging task
for the department. With the explosion in population, the hunger
for more and more timber and other forest produce has risen.
a. Establishment of Wirelee Communication Network
To protect forests from illegal felling and theft of forest
produce, the department has established Wireless Communication
Network connecting the Blocks with the Ranges, Sub-Divisions,
Divisions and Circles of both the Territorial and Wildlife Wings.
b. Amendment Sikkim Forests, Water Courses, Road Reserve
(Protection and Preservation) Act, 1988
The Act has been amendad to make room for stringent punishment to
the offenders. Royalty, especially of timber for constructional
purposes in Gangtok and other urban areas has been revised
upwardly but the royalty of timber for bonafide use in villages
have been kept at a highly subsidised and affordable rate.
c. Ban on Felling of Green Trees and Commercial Exploitation of
Medicinal Plants in Reserved Forests
The Government of Sikkim has banned felling of green trees in
reserved forests except from the project sites which are cleared
by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
for setting up of projects fopr socio-economic development of the
State and the Nation. There is no commercial extraction of timber
from the forests of Sikkim and export of timber outside the state
has been banned by the State Government. Commercial Exploitation
of medicinal plants too has been banned in the reserved forests.
d. Removal of Cattle Sheds from the Reserved Forests
The Government of Sikkim has taken decision to remove the goths
(cattle sheds) from the reserved forests. In East, South and West
Districts eviction the cattle sheds is under progress to be
followed in North District.
e. Control and Management of Forest Fires
Forest Fire is the regular phenomenon in the forests especially in
Teesta and Rangit valleys. Fire watchers are being engaged during
the fire seasons and fire fighting equipment are being provided to
fire fighters. Fire watch towers are also being constructed for
prompt detection of forest fires. Patrolling vehicles during fire
seasons are provided to the Territorial Divisions with wireless
sets for prompt action.
f. Empowerment of Forest Officials
The Forest Officers especially of the Territorial and Wildlife
Wing have been provided with the powers to deal with the forest
offences under Sikkim Forests, Water Courses, Road Reserve
(Protection and Preservation) Act, 1988 and Wildlife Protection
Act, 1972.
g. Formation of Joint Forest Management Committees and Watershed
Committees
Notification No. 202/F was issued on 26.06.1998 and Joint Forest
Management was introduced in Sikkim to obtain maximum
participation of the people for protection and management of
forests. So far, 121 Joint Forest Management Committees have been
constituted. Besides, for implementation of Integrated Watershed
Development Programs, 31 Watershed Associations have been formed
and registered under Societies’ Registration Act.
h. Strengthening of Territorial and Wildlife Circles
The Department has strengthened these two circles by posting of
maximum number of forest guards in these Circles. Over 70 forest
guards and 40 Block Officers have been appointed in between 1995
and 2000 and posted in Territorial and Wildlife Circles for
effective protection and management of forests and wildlife in the
state. (iii) WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Over 30% of the total geographical area of the state is being
maintained as protected area network and managed in the form of
Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park.
(a) Wildlife Sanctuaries:
There are 6 wildlife Sanctuaries in the state which are set aside
for protection and conservation of the endangered flora and fauna.
Name of Sanctuary Location/District Area
1. Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary North Sikkim 43.00
Sq.Km.
2. Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary East Sikkim
51.76 Sq.Km.
3. Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary East Sikkim
31.00 Sq.Km.
4. Moinam Wildlife Sanctuary South Sikkim
34.35 Sq.Km.
5. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary West Sikkim
104.00 Sq.Km.
6. Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary East Sikkim
208.00 Sq.Km
This sanctuary is recently proposed and is located in the Eastern
part of the East District of the state which forms the wildlife
corridor with West Bengal and Bhutan. Notice for proclamation has
been issued and further action is being taken.
(b). Khangchendzonga National Park
The initial area of this National Park was 850 square kilometers.
The park area was extended to 1784 square kilometers for
conservation of high altitude flora and fauna of the state.
(c). Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve
Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve with the core area of 1784
square kilometers (Khangchendzonga National Park) and buffer zone
of 835.92 square kilometers was declared by notification issued by
the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India on
7th February 2000. State Level Biosphere Reserve Committee and
Biosphere Reserve Implementation Committee (local committee) were
constituted vide Notification No. 369/F,ENV & WL dated 16th
December 2000. The Management Plan of the Biosphere Reserve for
the year 2001-2002 with the financial target of Rs.101.72 lakhs
has been submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Government of India.
(d). Himalayan Zoological Park
The Himalayan Zoological Park located at Bulbuley near the town of
Gangtok has an area of 205 hectares. The initial project cost of
establishment of the zoological park was Rs. 467.00 lakhs.
Infrastructure development of the zoological park started in the
8th Five Year Plan. The project was revised in the year 2000-2001
with the financial target of Rs. 1060.00 lakhs.
The Five Year Plan: A project with the
financial outlay of Rs. 500.00 lakhs was sanctioned by the state
government for development of Sericulture in Sikkim. 1000 farmers
will be trained and provided with incentives and infrastructure in
the project for silkworm cultivation. The project will be
continued in the 10th Five Year Plan also.
(v) FISHERIES:
The Directorate of Fisheries is under Forests, Environment and
Wildlife Department. This Directorate besides propagation and
conservation of river fishes, has also taken up the task of
propagation of trout and its introduction in the high altitude
lakes. The Fish Farmer’s Development Agency provides loans with
subsidies for production of fishes. The Directorate has two fish
farms for fish seed production.
(a) Singling Fish Seed Production Centre - for production of
inland fish seeds like carps.
(b) Menmoitso Fish Seed Production Centre - for production trout
fish seeds.
(vi) AWARDS:
From the year 2000, Forests, Environment and Wildlife Department,
Government of Sikkim has started giving Rajya Van Sangrakhshan
evam Paryavaran Puraskar to individuals and organizations for
contribution towards protection of environment and forests. Three
individuals and one Voluntary Organization were given the award on
15th August 2000.
(vii) FOREST MANUAL AND CODE :
It is an important document which purports to deal with the
duties, functions and responsibilities of the organization as also
those of its members. It defines and describes the powers and
functions - both administrative as well as financial - to be
exercised during the course of discharging various duties by its
members. It profiles the Department’s own sphere of activities and
how they are to be conducted. The manuscript has been examined by
Finance Department and is on way of vetting it by Law Department.
(viii) SCHEMES FUNDED BY MINISTRY OF
ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA:
The following Schemes are being funded by the Ministry and
implemented by this Department. 1. Integrated
Afforestation and Eco-Development Project:
There are two projects being implemented in the state. The
projects are,
a. Integrated Afforestation and Eco-Development Project Scheme in
Rangpochu Watershed in East District with Financial Target of Rs.
592.29 lakhs and Physical Target of 5500 hactares.The project is
in the last year of implementation and is required to be further
extended in the 10th Five Year Plan.
b. Integrated Afforestation and Eco-Development Project in Dzongu
Watershed in North District with the Financial Target of 2000
hactares and financial outlay of Rs.198.00 lakhs.
2. Non-Timber Forest Produce including Medicinal Plants Projects.
There are four projects funded by the Ministry of Environment and
Forestry the 9th Five Year Plan, they are,
a. Non-Timber Forest Produce including Medicinal Plants in Low
Altitude.
b. Medicinal Plants Projects in High Altitude
c. Bamboo Plantation Project
d. Farming Project of Medicinal Plants.
The total financial target of all these projects is over Rs.
400.00 lakhs.
3. Area Oriented Fuel wood and Fodder Project
This project is a 50:50 CSS project and is implemented in degraded
forests and private wastelands for meeting the requirements of
fuel wood and fodder of the state. In the 9th Five Year Plan the
financial outlay of the project is Rs.693.00 lakhs of which 50% is
funded by the Government of India and 50 % by the State Plan.
4. Development of National Park And Wildlife Sanctuaries
The Government of India is also funding schemes for development of
Khangchendzonga High Altitude National Park and 6 wildlife
sanctuaries in the state on yearly basis. 5.
Eco-Development of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park
This scheme funded by the Government of India is implemented on
the fringes of the wildlife sanctuaries and National Park through
active participation of the local people. This scheme is aimed at
providing assistance to the people living on the periphery of the
sanctuaries and national park to as to obtain co-operation and
help in management of the protected areas.
6. National Environment Awareness Campaign
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
provides financial assistance in organizing environmental
awareness among the local mass. Such campaigns are organized by
involving the local NGOs by providing financial assistance to
them.
(ix) CATCHMENTS AREA TREATMENT PLAN OF HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROJECTS
The Department has been implementing two catchments area treatment
projects. One such project is being implemented in South hand West
District in the catchments of Rangit Hydro-Electric Project. The
total financial outlay of the catchments area treatment plan is
over Rs.1300.00 lakhs and is being implemented from 1995-96 and is
proposed to be completed by 2001-2002. Another project on North
and East District viz. Catchments Area Treatment Plan of Teesta
Stage V Hydro-Electric Project is being implemented with the
financial target of Rs. 2420.25 lakhs for a period of 9 years
commencing from the year 2000-2001.
(x) Soil and Water Conservation:
Soil and water conservation works are being carried out in 30
identified watersheds in the state. The works include vegetative
engineering, low cost engineering structures in land slide
affected areas and afforestation works in geologically fragile
areas of the state. (xi) Awareness Camps,
Workshops and Trainings:
The department has been organizing and conducting awareness camps
to educate the common mass towards protection of forests and
environment in the state and the country. Workshops are also being
organized to obtain maximum participation of the local people in
implementing different schemes of the department for sustainable
development of the people of the state. Training programs are also
being organized from time to time to impart training to the staff
as well as to the Village Forest Committees and Watershed
Associations for effective implementation of the schemes for
socio-economic development of the people of the state.
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