PRITAM LAMA, Gyalshing 30 Jan:
Forest Minister Pintso Namgyal Lepcha undertook an official visit to Yuksam and Khecheopalri under Gyalshing Forest Division today as part of his three-day tour of Gyalshing and Soreng districts.
The Minister inspected the Khangchendzonga National Park Interpretation Centre-cum-Range Office at Yuksam. He was accompanied by Kshitij Saxena, DFO Gyalshing, Nisha Subba DFO Wildlife Gyalshing, Bhumika Rai DFO KNP/ KBR, Tenzing W Bhutia Range Officer-KNP/ Yuksam (T) range and other Forest Department officials.
The Minister assessed the functioning of the KNP division office and ongoing conservation efforts. He interacted with KNP staff, inquired about their well-being, and commended the department’s cleanliness and zero-waste initiatives.
Expressing satisfaction with the well-maintained office complex, he stressed the importance of preserving nature and promoting eco-friendly practices.
A brief program on the state government’s Mero Rukh Mero Santati (MRMS) initiative was also held at the KNP Interpretation Centre. The Minister interacted with MRMS beneficiaries and emphasized the program’s role in environmental conservation.
After the program, the Minister visited an MRMS plantation site, the forest nursery, Yuksam territorial range office, and forest guest house in Yuksam.
Later in the day, he proceeded to Khecheopalri, where he met with members of the Khechuperi Pokhari Sangrakshan Samiti (KPSS) and local panchayats to discuss conservation measures.
