Latest news with #Tamang
The Print
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Sikkim CM greets people on first anniversary of second term of SKM govt
'Today, we commemorate not merely the formation of our government, but the triumph of democracy and the collective aspiration for development. This day stands as a symbol of our enduring commitment to justice, equality, and inclusive governance, a time to reflect on the inspiring journey of the SKM government, to celebrate our achievements, and to draw strength from the lessons we have encountered along the way,' he said. Tamang who is also the SKM president in a Facebook post said that this milestone was a remarkable testament to the unwavering trust and support of the people, as well as to the visionary and collective leadership that continues to guide our state toward progress, inclusivity, and prosperity. Gangtok, Jun 10 (PTI) Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Tuesday thanked the people of the Himalayan state for their faith and support of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) government as it celebrates the first anniversary of the second term. The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha returned to power for the second time by winning 31 of the 32 seats in the state Assembly elections held last year. 'Guided by a resolute vision for a brighter Sikkim, we embarked on a transformative journey aimed at reshaping the future of our beloved state. One year on, I am proud to say that we have made significant strides in turning that vision into reality,' he said. He also thanked the Central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for their steadfast support and patronage in times of need, and for their enduring guidance. 'As I look back on our journey, I do so with deep appreciation for the dedication of our team and, most importantly, for the faith and support of the people of Sikkim. There remains much to be accomplished, and we must stay resolute in our commitment to transformative governance and inclusive development,' he said. He offered his sincere thanks to all who have contributed to the success of the SKM government and thanked the people of Sikkim for their continued trust and partnership in this shared journey. Tamang said his government remains fully committed to the welfare of every citizen and the advancement of every region of our state. He urged all to forge ahead, united in purpose, to build a 'Sunaulo, Sammridha, and Samarth Sikkim'. PTI COR RG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Hans India
Tourists airlifted after landslide, Sikkim remains open for travel: CM Tamang
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday said that only the Lachen and Lachung sectors in the northern part of the mountain state are closed to visitors at the moment, and the rest of the tourist places are now open for tourists. "Sikkim continues to welcome tourists. All six districts, not just Mangan, have beautiful destinations open for travel," he said, urging tourists to explore the various naturally blissful places of the state. He also addressed recent misinformation surrounding infrastructure damage in the region. It was previously reported that five bridges were washed away during the 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF). However, the CM clarified that these bridges were damaged during this year's monsoon due to unusually heavy rainfall. Chief Minister Tamang added that the state, with support from the Central government, is committed to long-term development and is focusing on rebuilding and strengthening all vulnerable bridges across Sikkim to prevent future disruptions. Despite the temporary setback in North Sikkim, officials emphasised that the rest of the state remains safe, accessible, and welcoming for tourists. Nearly 1,500 tourists were stranded in the popular North Sikkim destinations of Lachen and Lachung after the Phidang bridge - considered the region's lifeline - was severely damaged. The situation was further complicated by a landslide in the Chhaten Army camp near Lachen, making road evacuation impossible. While all tourists in Lachung were successfully evacuated earlier, rescue operations in Lachen had to be carried out by air. The evacuation is currently being conducted in phases, with half of the stranded tourists airlifted on Tuesday and the rest being flown out today. The first air sorties were deployed from the army helipad in Chhaten, where both tourists and military personnel are being rescued. They are being transported to the Greenfield Airport in Pakyong.
The Print
6 days ago
- General
- The Print
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.
News18
6 days ago
- General
- News18
Sikkim committed to global fight against plastic pollution: CM Tamang
Last Updated: 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. He urged the people to renew their commitment to protect the planet from the pervasive threat of plastic waste. '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. '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. First Published: June 05, 2025, 12:15 IST
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Indian Politician Wants to Ban Climbing on Sacred Kangchenjunga
Authorities in Sikkim, India, are demanding that Kangchenjunga, the world's third highest peak, be banned to climbers out of respect for local deities. When British pioneers Joe Brown and George Band climbed 8,586m Kangchenjunga for the first time 70 years ago, they stopped some meters short of the highest point out of respect for the religious beliefs of the local communities in Sikkim. For them, the protective deity Dzoe-Nga, also worshipped as Pho-lha, lives on its white slopes. For years, subsequent expeditions followed that tradition, but this sign of respect was eventually abandoned. Nowadays, climbers focus instead on ensuring that they reach the true summit of Kangchenjunga, which is easy to mistake for other points on its jagged ridge. Kangchenjunga lies in the northeastern corner of Nepal on the border with Sikkim (India) and is also very close to Tibet. The peak has four main climbing routes. Three are in Nepal, and only the eastern one goes up from Sikkim. The Sikkim route has only been climbed three times. The most straightforward route, up the Southwest Face in Nepal, was the chosen line for several early attempts, and the one where the expedition led by Charles Evans succeeded for the first time in 1955. For decades, there were attempts and summits from the north side of the mountain, also in Nepalese territory, but the Southwest Face soon became the normal route and the one offered to commercial teams. Last week, the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, asked India's Home Minister, Amit Shah, to ensure that the footprints of climbers no longer deface the slopes of Kangchenjunga. Climbing Kangchenjunga from the Sikkim route has not been an option since 2000, when all ascents from Sikkim were officially banned. This is the first time that Sikkim authorities raised their voices about the matter since then. The problem is, Tamang wants the ban to extend to the entire mountain, including the routes in Nepal, not just from Sikkim. While the measure is unlikely to succeed, it does highlight the sensitivities around the mountain. "Scaling this sacred peak is not only a matter of serious concern but also a violation of both the prevailing legal provisions and the deeply held religious beliefs of the people of Sikkim,' Tamang said. He bases his demands on the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act of 1991, which prohibits expeditions to sacred sites, as well as Sikkim Government Notification No. 70/HOME/2001, which reaffirmed the state's limited ban on summiting Kangchenjunga, reported. Ironically, the call for a ban was prompted by a climb launched by the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) of Arunachal Pradesh. On that Indian expedition, five members summited via the normal route in Nepal on May 18, together with their Nepalese guides. Other Indian climbers were also on the mountain, including those with a joint Nepali-Indian army expedition. This year, about 30 climbers summited Kangchenjunga despite unstable weather. Others had to retreat due to harsh conditions. There were also some rescues, and one climber died while attempting to reach the top. Nepal's Department of Tourism has no restrictions on the number of climbers on any mountain. In the case of Kangchenjunga, 78 permits were granted to foreigners this season. All climbers were supported by local guides and usually took advantage of brief periods of calm. Kangchenjunga has become increasingly popular among commercial high-altitude climbers. Virtually all expeditions take the normal, Southwest Face route from Nepal. India cannot legislate on the part of the mountain beyond its borders, and it is unlikely that Nepal will do so. Nepal also has sacred peaks banned to expeditions. The best known is Machhapuchhre (6,993m) in the Annapurna region, considered sacred for the Gurung people and never climbed, as far as we know. Sherpas revere mountains, and while they agree to climb them, they always perform puja (offering) ceremonies to ask permission for passage from the mountain gods. Similar cases of sacred mountains in nearby countries forbidden for climbers include Tibet's striking Mt. Kailash and Gangkhar Puensum in Bhutan. At 7,570m, the latter is the highest unclimbed peak in the world, and it should continue to remain so for many years. According to some sources, the silhouette of Kangchenjunga's summit points resemble the shape of a sleeping Buddha, especially when seen from the southwest. In his letter, Chief Minister Tamang recalled that the name of the mountain means the Five Treasures of the High Snow. It refers to five hidden virtues that will only be revealed to devotees if the world is in serious danger. In his extensive report about the Kangchenjunga summit area for Rodolphe Popier ends up with the following words: The magnetic attraction of Kangchenjunga will keep attracting mountain lovers from all over the world, maybe for something more than climbing and/or peak-bagging? As Doug Scott recalled it in his last book, [Kangchenjunga] is the 8,000m summit with the greatest religious significance.
