Gangtok, May 29: Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project (SBFP), Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management has organised five days training programme for Range Officers and ACFs on joint forest management as an approach to forest management at the conference hall of the department from today. The training will be imparted by the resource persons from IIFM, Bhopal who will deliberate on objectives, structure, components and activities of Sikkim JICA Project and formation, process, functioning, activities, approaches of Joint Forest Management Committees etc. in the five days training programme.
Mr Bhim Dhungel, Minister for Forest who garced the inaugural session as the Chief Guest in his address mentioned that the world is following the concept of sustainable development and judicious harnessing of the natural resources for the benefit of the people while maintaining its inherent potential. He also briefed about the State Government initiativies in promoting sustainable biodiversity conservation and income generation activities including eco-tourism for the community development thereby contributing to environment conservation and harmonized socio-economic development of Sikkim.
Informing on the future course of actions of the department, the Minister said that there are important events which the department is going to undertake during this year. He informed that gathering that the World Environment Day celebration at Chemchey on 5th June which will be followed by plantation drive between Damthang and Namchi on 6th June. This year, the State Green Mission will be kicked off from Dentam and will be strengthened to other parts of the State, he added. Besides this, the Ten Minutes to Earth which is a regular feature of the state will also be observed throughout the state, he informed. Talking about the training the minister called upon the gathering to actively participate in the training programme which will be helpful for implementing schemes in result oriented manner.

The PCCF-cum- Addl. C.S. Mr Manjit Singh highlighted on the importance of Joint Forest Management which was formed in 1988 with the main purpose of people’s participation.
While presenting a brief overview of the training, the resorce persons from IIFM, Bhopal expressed that  it will be a good learning experiences even for the resource persons focusing on the experience of the joint forest management adopted by the state.
Earlier, Dr. S. Anbalagan, DFO(Ecotourism) SBFP presented the welcome address and the vote of thanks was proposed by Blen Tshering Targain, DFO, JICA(S/W).