GANGTOK: The State-level celebration of World Environment Day 2025 was held with great enthusiasm at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT), Deorali, Gangtok, under the evocative theme “एक पेड़ माँ के नाम”(Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam).
With the year 2025 theme, “End Plastic Pollution Globally,” the event saw the participation of esteemed dignitaries – Governor of Sikkim Om Prakash Mathur, Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang, Minister for Forest and Environment, Science and Technology, and Mines and Geology Departments, Pintso Namgyal Lepcha alongside Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Advisors, MP Lok Sabha, Head of the Government Departments, officials and officers of Forest and Environment Department, and students from different schools and colleges.
The programme began with a warm welcome reception for the Governor and the Chief Minister at the NIT main gate. Senior officials greeted the Chief Minister, while the Governor was received by the Chief Minister and other dignitaries.
Thereafter, a student-led environmental rally and cleanliness drive were flagged off from the NIT main gate towards the Sowa Rigpa Institute campus, promoting awareness and collective responsibility for environmental conservation.
A ceremonial plantation drive titled “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” was held in the NIT park. The Governor, Chief Minister, and other dignitaries planted saplings in tribute to their mothers and Mother Earth. The plantation drive also had the presence of the Chief Minister’s mother. Simultaneously, other participants engaged in a cleanliness drive across the campus.
Further, on this day, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” is celebrated across Sikkim at the constituency level, where all members of the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim, along with the forest officers and staff are planting a tree under the name of their mother- giving back to earth and honouring the Mother Nature.
Adding another feather to the cap of the State, school Eco-Club namely Rumtek Government Senior Secondary School, has been conferred the 1st position in the Best Eco Club category under Environment Education Programme 2024-25 by the Government of India during a recently held programme on May 14, 2025 at New Delhi. In this regard, the Governor and the Chief Minister of the State presented a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 2 Lakh as a token from the State Government.
Similarly, the State Pollution Control Board organised an essay competition on the theme of World Environment Day,” End Plastic Pollution Globally,” in 18 schools across the state. Out of 54 entries, 3 entries were selected and were presented with an award and a cash prize.
The event also featured a felicitation for Kinzong Choden Lepcha, who was honoured by the Governor and the Chief Minister of the State for voluntarily transferring her land back to the Forest and Environment Department which was recorded erroneously as private land in her name during a 1970 survey.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the PCCF cum Pr Secretary, Forest and Environmental department, Dr Pradeep Kumar.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s statehood. Over the past five decades, Sikkim has emerged as a beacon of sustainable development, ecological conservation, and cultural harmony.
Under the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister, Prem Singh Tamang, the state has made remarkable strides in making Sikkim the Greenest state through Flagship initiatives like ” Mero Rukh Mero Santati”, “Mero Bato Mero Bot” and “ Ek Ped Maa ke Naam” under Central Government initiatives. These efforts resonate deeply with the objectives of World Environment Day.
The celebration successfully highlighted the importance of environmental responsibility and reaffirmed the State’s commitment to sustainable development and green initiatives.
- IPR Report
