Chamling launches third phase of State Green Mission

Gangtok, May 12 (UNI) Sikkim is supporting the world environmental concerns 'in a humble manner' by increasing green cover, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said today.

The state had increased two per cent forest cover, planted 16 lakh saplings in the past two years and adopted a wide array of environmental protection measures over the past years, he said.

''We are pushing a lot to protect the environment. This is our support to the world environment protection measures in a humble manner,'' Mr Chamling said while launching the third phase of the three-year 'State Green Mission.' Around 16 lakh saplings had been planted in different parts of this state as per the State Green Mission in the past two years with success rate hovering above 70 per cent.

Launched in 2006, the mission aims to undertake massive tree sapling and ornamental plants plantation along road sides, vacant areas and at the premises of government and private undertakings to create a green belt for transforming Sikkim as a garden state.

In the first two years (2006-07, 2007-08) of the mission, avenue plantation of 367.9 kms and 597.9 km was done.

The final year focuses on maintenance and development of gardens in all the four districts of the state.

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