The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Mr Prem Singh Tamang launched “Mission: Million Oak Trees by 2047”, a State-wide ecological restoration programme aimed at reviving Himalayan oak forests to strengthen water security, biodiversity and climate resilience today.
The Chief Minister ceremonially planted the first oak sapling under the mission, released the Oak Forest Restoration Manual, and launched the “Connect to Forest” toll-free helpline (1926) to enable citizens to report grievances, human-wildlife conflict, hazardous trees and access Forest Department services.
Later, Mr. Tamang inaugurated the Sikkim Forest Training Institute at Bulbuley, established under the JICA-assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project
Mr. Tamang noted that Sikkim has 47.33 per cent forest cover, with nearly half of its geographical area under forest administration and 33.77 per cent designated as protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries.
Tamang called for preserving and expanding the State’s green cover while maintaining a balance between conservation and strategic infrastructure development.