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Green Hiker Campaign launched in Sikkim on World Environment Day
World Environment Day 2010 was observed by WWF–India in Sikkim, in collaboration with the Pokhari Sanrakshan Samiti (PSS) and The Mountain Institute through a sensitisation programme for the tourists. Originally, the event was to be held in the vicinity of Tsomgo Lake, one of the major tourist attractions in the state, but due to blocked roads, the programme was shifted to the Himalayan Zoological Park and Ganesh Tok in Gangtok.
The programme was kick started by the launch of the Green Hiker Campaign, by Chief Guest Mr. K.N. Tobgay, the Mayor of Gangtok Municipal Corporation. Students from various schools in Gangtok were present for the event, along with representatives of the tourism and forest departments. The Mayor, in his address spoke of the garbage management problem that Gangtok was facing, and how the tourism industry also contributed significantly to the issue. He informed the gathering that the municipality understood the gravity of the situation and would take measures to tackle the problem on hand.
The highlight of the programme was a poster exhibition on various environmental issues such as climate change, garbage management, reduction of bottled water usage, litter thrown out of vehicles and much more, which were put on display for the awareness of the tourists. The tourists also participated in simple quizzes, a drawing contest, as well as, a slogan making contest that centered around a mineral water bottle tree that some students had built. The event was organized with the help of the PSS members and volunteer students from Paljor Namgyal Girls’ School.
The Green Hiker collateral was displayed at the exhibition and was also given away as prizes to tourists who participated in the contests and activities. Moreover, Green Hiker posters were also distributed amongst the taxi drivers who visited the exhibition. The objective behind the campaign and the meaning of the Green Hiker message were explained to tourists visiting the stall. They also signed a pledge on the ‘Commitment for nature’ corner, to not throw trash out of the car window, to reduce the usage of bottled water and to spread awareness on environmental issues.
The programme was kick started by the launch of the Green Hiker Campaign, by Chief Guest Mr. K.N. Tobgay, the Mayor of Gangtok Municipal Corporation. Students from various schools in Gangtok were present for the event, along with representatives of the tourism and forest departments. The Mayor, in his address spoke of the garbage management problem that Gangtok was facing, and how the tourism industry also contributed significantly to the issue. He informed the gathering that the municipality understood the gravity of the situation and would take measures to tackle the problem on hand.
The highlight of the programme was a poster exhibition on various environmental issues such as climate change, garbage management, reduction of bottled water usage, litter thrown out of vehicles and much more, which were put on display for the awareness of the tourists. The tourists also participated in simple quizzes, a drawing contest, as well as, a slogan making contest that centered around a mineral water bottle tree that some students had built. The event was organized with the help of the PSS members and volunteer students from Paljor Namgyal Girls’ School.
The Green Hiker collateral was displayed at the exhibition and was also given away as prizes to tourists who participated in the contests and activities. Moreover, Green Hiker posters were also distributed amongst the taxi drivers who visited the exhibition. The objective behind the campaign and the meaning of the Green Hiker message were explained to tourists visiting the stall. They also signed a pledge on the ‘Commitment for nature’ corner, to not throw trash out of the car window, to reduce the usage of bottled water and to spread awareness on environmental issues.
Commitments made by tourists towards their environment
Mayor of Gangtok Municipal Corporation at the poster display
Tourists at the poster display
