Sikkim committed to global fight against plastic pollution: CM Tamang
'Sikkim is more than just a state, it is a living laboratory of environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Sikkim's journey is one of setting a national benchmark in green governance,' he said in a post on Facebook.
He urged the people to renew their commitment to protect the planet from the pervasive threat of plastic waste.
Gangtok, Jun 5 (PTI) Greeting people on World Environment Day, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday said Sikkim is committed to the global fight against plastic pollution.
'Committed to the global fight against plastic pollution, the state banned single-use plastics very early and continues to promote eco-friendly alternatives with strong community support,' he said.
Tamang said the recognition of Khachoedpalri lake as the state's first Ramsar site in February is a landmark achievement.
'It is a reminder that every water body, every forest, and every mountain is a sacred trust that the people must protect for future generations,' he said.
'Recent camera trap evidence of tigers and Snow Leopards, along with frequent discoveries of new flora and fauna, reflect the thriving health of Sikkim's forests and ecosystem,' he said.
The CM said that Sikkim has demonstrated that development and ecology are not adversaries, but allies.
'The Sikkim Model of Sustainable Development is now being recognised nationally and globally,' he said.
'Together, let us rise as one to #BeatPlasticPollution, end plastic waste, and preserve the pristine beauty of Sikkim for generations to come,' he said. PTI CORR SOM
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
In US, Shashi Tharoor explains why ‘mediation' with India won't work: ‘Pakistan is a revisionist power'
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday dismissed the idea of mediation between India and Pakistan, arguing that it is not viable because the two countries are not equals. He said Pakistan is a 'revisionist power' that harbours terrorists and seeks to disrupt existing geopolitical arrangements. Speaking at the council on foreign relations in Washington, Tharoor said, 'Mediation is not a term that we are particularly willing to entertain. I'll tell you why not. The fact is that this implies, even when you say things like broker or whatever, you're implying an equivalence which simply doesn't exist,' news agency PTI reported. The Congress MP's comments come amid repeated claims by US President Donald Trump that he helped in 'mediating' tensions between India and Pakistan last month. Since May 10, Trump has said multiple times on separate occasions that he helped broker a ceasefire between the two countries after 'a long night' of talks. He has also claimed he offered both sides the prospect of increased trade with the US in exchange for peace. Meanwhile, Tharoor went on to say, "There is no equivalence between a state that is a status quo power that just wants to be left alone by its neighbours and a revisionist power that wants to upset the geopolitical arrangements that have existed for the last three-quarters of a century. There is no equivalence possible in these cases, and in these circumstances, to suggest that you can mediate between two unequals is not possible," he added. When asked how he would describe the American role in the situation, Tharoor said he was 'guessing to some degree' but believed Washington stayed engaged with both sides during the crisis. 'Certainly my government received a number of calls at high levels from the US government, and we appreciated their concern and their interest,' he said. 'Our assumption is that's where, because that's the side that needed persuading to stop this process, that may well have been where their messages really had the greatest effect. But that's guesswork on my part. I don't know what they said to the Pakistanis.' The Congress leader who is leading a multi-party delegation on Operation Sindoor, stressed that India sees no similarity between 'terrorists and their victims.' "There is no equivalence between a country that provides safe haven to terrorism, and a country that's a flourishing multi-party democracy that's trying to get on with its business," he said. Trump, during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday, again said he was 'very proud' of helping to stop the India-Pakistan conflict. 'I spoke to some very talented people on both sides, very good people on both sides,' Trump said, adding that he warned them the US wouldn't make trade deals if the conflict continued. 'You know what, I got that war am I going to get credit? I'm not going to get credit for anything. They don't give me credit for anything. But nobody else could have done it. I stopped it. I was very proud of that.' India and Pakistan conflict that started on May 7 after India's military response to April 22 Pahalgam terror attack ended on May 10 after four days of cross-border drone and missile strikes. India has firmly maintained that the agreement to end hostilities was reached through direct military-to-military talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
India-US trade negotiations hit top gear, American delegation extends Delhi stay
New Delhi: Intensive trade negotiations between India and the US gained momentum, with an American delegation extending its stay in New Delhi until next week as both sides work to finalise an early portion of their bilateral trade agreement, people aware of the matter said on Friday. The American negotiation team led by assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch arrived in India on Wednesday and began face-to-face bilateral talks that stretched late into Thursday, according to one person familiar with the discussions. 'The discussions are positive and progressive, and moving in the right direction,' said one person, describing Friday's conversations as 'continuing in a similar manner.' Originally expected to wrap up their visit after Friday, the American team will now remain in Delhi until Tuesday (June 10), this person added, signalling the hectic nature of the negotiations as both countries race to beat a crucial July 9 deadline. The focus is on achieving common ground for greater market access by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers before July 9, when an additional 16% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods is set to take effect unless an interim deal is reached, people aware of the matter have previously explained. 'During the visit of the US delegation, both sides are engaged in detailed discussions on various aspects of the proposed BTA in order to forge a pathway to realise the vision for bilateral trade and economic ties as laid down by the leaders of the two countries during their meeting in February 2025,' a second person said. 'An early harvest deal—mostly related to tariff reductions on goods and elimination of non-tariff barriers—could be finalised during the ongoing New Delhi round, provided both sides reach agreement on all matters involving the early deal,' said the person quoted in the first instance. Speaking from Brescia, Italy, on Thursday, Goyal told PTI that negotiations were progressing well and more US officials would reach New Delhi on Friday to join discussions with their Indian counterparts. The negotiations are complex and taking time because of the other American tariffs on specific Indian goods such as steel, aluminium, automobiles and auto components, the first person quoted above added. 'As per the leaders' statement, the deal between the two sovereigns must be mutually beneficial, hence all trade-related issues have to be addressed accordingly,' he said. The tariff disputes have created parallel tracks in India-US relations, with New Delhi maintaining World Trade Organisation complaints against American measures while simultaneously pursuing bilateral solutions through the BTA framework.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
A day after green event, LMC red-faced
Half a dozen of the saplings planted by urban development minister AK Sharma and other officials at Laxman Mela Ground disappeared on Friday, just a day after the plantation drive, raising serious questions over the Lucknow Municipal Corporation's (LMC) planning and execution. The plantation was part of a major event on World Environment Day, Ganga Dussehra, and the birthday of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, on Thursday. Officials had planted over 30 saplings at the site. Of the 10 saplings planted in a row -- each protected by tree guards -- by minister Sharma, mayor Sushma Kharakwal and municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar, only four remained by Friday morning. A ground report by HT on Friday morning revealed six empty pits, while the saplings were missing. However, LMC claimed that the plants were 'shifted' to another location as a large number of people visit Laxman Mela Ground during festivals. Despite the presence of top officials and the appointment of additional municipal commissioner Arun Kumar Gupta as nodal officer, LMC failed to identify a suitable location for the plantation drive. Officials acknowledged that the site is actually used for idol immersion during major festivals, and the area turned into a dumping ground just hours after the Thursday event. However, soon after the issue came to light, the LMC staff started planting the saplings again in what appeared to be a damage control effort. Criticising LMC's 'casual approach', environmentalists said inability to safeguard saplings planted in the presence of a minister would dent the credibility of regular plantation drives. Prabhunath Rai, president of Bhojpuri Samaj, claimed the saplings were removed by LMC officials themselves after realising that the site was wrongly selected. 'This is pure negligence,' Rai said. Mayor Sushma Kharakwal directed additional municipal corporation Arun Kumar Gupta to prepare and submit a detailed report. Meanwhile, LMC claimed to have planted over 1,000 saplings across the city as part of the same initiative, including those of rudraksha, banyan, amla, and kaner. The campaign also featured activities under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' and 'Plogging for Plastic' campaigns. A human chain was also formed for environment conservation at the Gomti riverfront.
