Forest Department Officials Visits Forest & Env. Deptt. Offices under Gyalshing District.

Gyalshing May 11 (IPR):

A delegation of senior officials, Advisors, Chairpersons and OSDs from the Forest & Environment Department visited various range and divisional offices under Gyalshing District today as part of their ongoing four-day official tour of Soreng and Gyalshing districts.

The visiting delegation comprised Chairman of the Forest & Environment Department Mr Pema Wangyal Lachungpa, Chairman of the State Medicinal Plants Board, Mr Sonam Gyatso Lachenpa, Advisor to the State Medicinal plants board Mr NB Limboo, Advisor to the State Land Use Board Mr Sangay Sherpa, Chairman of the State Land Use & Environment Board Mr Phurba Bhutia, and OSD, Forest & Environment Department, Ms Shermila Tamang.

The visit aimed to assess field-level functioning, review forest and environmental conservation initiatives, and strengthen coordination among departmental offices in Gyalshing and Soreng districts.

The team began Day-3 of the tour from the Dentam Range Office this morning and later visited the Gyalshing Divisional Office, Sidkeong Tulku Bird park at Rabdentse, Ramsar Site Khecheopalri Lake and Wetland, before proceeding to Yuksam and Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) Interpretation Centre.

During the visit, the officials reviewed departmental activities and interacted with field staff and officers regarding their responsibilities, concerns and overall well-being.

DFO Gyalshing (T), Mr Jigme Tsewang Sharngoe, escorted the delegation and briefed the officials on the functioning of various offices and conservation initiatives under the Gyalshing Territorial Range.

Upon reaching Yuksam, the delegation was accorded a warm welcome at the KNP Interpretation Centre by KNP officials.

At the KNP Range Office, ACF-KNP Ms Passang Diki Sherpa, Range Officer KNP Mr Tenzing W Bhutia, along with officials and staff from Territorial range and KNP divisions, were present.

Range Officer Mr Tenzing W Bhutia briefed the visiting officials on the functioning and conservation activities within the KNP region. He also highlighted the significance of the popular Dzongri-Goechala trekking route and adventure tourism activities inside Khangchendzonga National Park.

The official tour programme, which commenced on May 9, will continue till May 12.