Sikkim Mail Report

The Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project (SBFP) has kicked off a massive plantation drive across the state.

Speaking with the media the Additional PCCF cum Project Head of JICA Dr. Anil Mainra informed that per hector 1600 saplings will be planted and for carrying out the project fund amounting approximately to Rs. 1.3 crores has been sanctioned. Adding more Dr. Mainra stated that all the programs of 2010 which were not completed inclusive of the program of 2011 are being carried out currently as earlier there were no project management consultant but now the problem has been solved.

Dr. Mainra informing about the project management consultancy stated that the team consists of one consultant from United States of America, two from Japan and six from India and the team has already joined the project and are helping the JICA assisted SBFP in dissemination of all the programs and have also formulated the facilitators hand book for Micro Planning, Manual for establishment and operationalization of JFMC, Eco- Development Committee, Pokhari Sanrakshan Samiti and SHG’s.

Furthermore another task performed by the consultant is the formulation of manual for community organizers and they are also helping the department in up gradation of GIS capabilities of the Forest Department said Dr. Mainra.

The survey of domestic tourist visiting in the state will also be carried out soon by the marketing cell and the same will be followed by action plan required for promotion of eco-tourism for creating specific marketing strategy which is being targeted.

Under the bio diversity conservation section of SBFP a butterfly park in North Sikkim with an estimated cost about Rs. 7 crores will soon be taken up under the JICA assisted project and for the commencement of work a Mumbai and Holland based farms have already been selected for architectural designing likewise bio diversity training institute which is going to be constructed in Pangthang area. It will be carried out by the same farm selected. The cost of the whole project is estimated approximately to Rs. 10 crores and the concept design for both the projects have been presented by the farms selected added Dr. Mainra.

Adding more Dr. Mainra informed that the Himalayan Zoological Park of the capital will soon have a main office constructed under JICA assisted project with a cost estimated to about Rs. 80 lakhs which is proposed at present and along with that a rescue center inclusive of other construction and developmental activities will be carried out with a cost involvement of Rs. 2.46 corers.

JICA project to construct a separate building of SBFP in the forest complex and three local architects namely Mr. Kailas Pradhan, Mr. Lendup Wangdi and Mr. Sanjog will be providing the architectural inputs stated Dr. Mainra.

 

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