Sikkim harbors an enormous diversity of plants and animals, both domesticated and wild, and an impressive variety of habitats and ecosystems that occur right from the humid river valleys to the cold trans-Himalayan desert;

Also we have a vast repository of traditional knowledge related to the conservation and sustainable use of this biodiversity. This biological diversity sustains the food, medicinal, clothing, shelter, spiritual, recreational and other needs of most of us.
This diversity also ensures the essential ecological functions on which life depends, including a steady supply of clean water, fresh air, nutrient cycling and soil maintenance. This diversity is the treasure-house from which future food needs, cures for deadly diseases, and elements for knowledge and technology will be found. This biodiversity is seriously threatened by human activities such as unsustainable harvesting, loss of habitat or degradation in its quality, leading to severe shortages of water, fodder, fuel, natural disasters such as floods, landslides and famines and extinction of flora and fauna and also the resultant dying out of our traditional practices.

There is a need to prepare a detailed action plan to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity to protect the cultural, scientific, spiritual traditions and innovations related to it, and to equitably share the benefits arising from sustainable use.

The participation of women and men from all walks of life, both within and outside the government, rural and urban, is essential for preparing an implement able action plan.

The value of biodiversity   return to top

The well being and survival of human populations are dependent on
the millions of species of plants, animals and microbes. These include species and varieties of crops, livestock and wildlife. This biological diversity is part of our daily lives and livelihood and constitutes resources upon which families, communities, nations and future generations depend.

Biodiversity has numerous values in agriculture, medicine, food and industry. Biodiversity maintains ecological balance and evolutionary processes, and has spiritual, cultural, aesthetic and recreational values. The ecosystem services rendered include pollination, nutrient cycling, soil maintenance and climate regulation.

The millions of species, which constitute biodiversity, have their own intrinsic value, as recognized by religions and faiths in Sikkim. Traditionally we have celebrated this diversity of life. Even today many people derive their daily sustenance from forests, rivers, grasslands and mountains .

Background of this Project   return to top

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) along with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has provided project preparatory support to The G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED), an autonomous institute of the Ministry of Environment and Forest and The Mountain Institute (TMI) an international NGO working in the Andes, Appalachian and Himalayan ranges to develop a full-fledged project for the conservation of biodiversity of the Khangchendzonga using participatory approaches.

This proposed project would involve an innovative people-centered approach to avoid irreversible losses of biodiversity and to restore ecosystem functions and promote the recovery of threatened species. Ensure that institutional arrangements are effective, transparent, accountable, inclusive and responsive. And support and develop income-generating activities that encourage the sustainable use of biodiversity. The focus will be on capacity building and networking for a lasting people-centered approach. Hence the detailed action plans are proposed to be prepared with people’s participation for this purpose

Process for Preparing the Action Plan   return to top

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India is overall in charge of this process. The G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED) along with The Mountain Institute (TMI), in coordination with the Sikkim State Forest Department will be preparing the detailed action plan. The process of developing this action plan will be highly participatory in nature, reaching out to a large number of village level organizations and movements, NGO’s, academicians and scientists, government officials, the private sector, the armed forces, traditional health practitioners, politicians and others who have a stake in biodiversity conservation in the Khangchendzonga. Through such a participatory process a much wider ownership of the process is attempted.

In particular the following shall be attempted:

a) Public Hearings in selected villages and towns of North and West Sikkim seeking inputs from farmers, herders, medicinal plant collectors, tourism service providers and other communities.

b) Consultation with various political decision makers at various levels.

c) Inputs from a range of expert and experienced individuals and organizations working on biodiversity conservation including scientists, social activists, academicians, students, industrialists, cultural leaders etc

Goals of the Action Plan   return to top

The action plan is to be prepared by June 2004, covering:

1. Conservation of the biodiversity of the Khangchendzonga landscape through participatory approaches.

2. Strengthening of the existing institutional arrangements to ensure that they are effective, transparent, accountable, inclusive and responsive.

3. Promoting income-generating activities that encourage the sustainable use of biodiversity.

A Call For Participation   return to top

Through this announcement, we invite your participation in this process. You could contribute by:

• Assisting in organizing local workshops and public hearings
• Holding an inter-departmental meeting
• Pointing out and/or sending material / documents
• Contributing new information / material in writing
• Sending us the contact details of knowledgeable persons
• Coordinating the preparation of the action plan for your region
• Anything else

For this purpose we request, citizens, Government Officials and agencies, NGOs, CBOs, JFMCs, EDCs, Panchayats, women organizations, students and teachers, farmers, experts, industrialists, business persons, the armed forces, politicians, artists and others to contact us at the address given below.

Coordination   return to top

Shri. T. R. Sharma IFS, PCCF/CWLW cum Secretary, Department of Forests, Environment & WL, Government of Sikkim

Contact Information   return to top