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The concept of Smriti
Van is a novel idea of involving society at large in nature
conservation. This is a concept in which trees can be planted,
including on marriage, birthdays, anniversaries, demise,
friendship or in the remembrance of near and dear ones. The
concept can be implemented by setting up "Smriti Vans" in all
villages / panchayats, urban areas, tourist places, religious
places and crematorium etc. The initiatives for this purpose no
doubt have to be taken by the state government or the local body
by making the land available, technical advise and seedlings etc.
The planning and implementation would necessarily require active
participation of the local community and ultimately the management
should be entrusted to the local community, organizations, NGO's
or welfare associations etc.
All over the world, people believe in perpetuating the memory by
erecting memorials. Trees can be planted as "Live Memorial".
Planting of a tree(s), on any occasion would not only satisfy the
desire to keep the memory fresh, but also help in the national
cause of "Greening and Maintaining the ecological balance as well
as atmospheric equilibrium" .The planting of non timber species,
which have value in terms of the regular usufruct they give like
fruits, flowers, nuts, leaves, fodder and even shade, without
having to be felled when mature, will enhance the concept of
perpetuation of the memory of an ancestor, who is seen to continue
to be a benefactor.
The Matsya Puran says that, "Ten sons are equal to a tree." We can
plant several hundreds of trees whose contribution to the state
and nation for the cause of Environment and Ecology would be
universally acknowledged.
In this program, till date in Sikkim, 40 numbers of Smriti Vans at
various places such as: Bulbuley (29 nos) [East District],
Rinchingpong- Tagore Smriti Van [West District], Sakyong [West
District] and Guru Padmasambhava Smriti Van at Samduptse (Tendong)
[South District] have been created and the Yumthang Valley Smriti
Van [high altitude, in North District] is being started by May
2001. Till date about 35,000 numbers of seedlings have been
planted in the year 1999-2000 & 2000-01 by the various Non
Governmental Organizations, Voluntary Organizations, Associations,
Religious & Social groups and other Government Agencies as well as
by individuals.
For the year 2001-02, the planting season would start from the
first week of JUNE , kindly contact any Forests Officials in
Districts/headquarter or to the undersigned or S.B.S. Bhadauria,
C.F.(FCA) or C.S.Pradhan.DFO (FCA) or M.R.Rai R.O. (FCA) ,Please.
T .R. Sharma IFS
PCCF cum Secretary
Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife ,Government of
Sikkim. |
