News & Announcement
Forest Department Briefs Media on Anti-Encroachment Measures at Bulbuley Reserve Forest
Gangtok, May 12 (IPR): Chief Conservator of Forests (Territorial), Forest and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim, Mr Karma Legshey Dhondup, convened a press briefing today at the Tragopan Hall of Forest Secretariat in Deorali, regarding the recent anti-encroachment drive conducted near the Plant Conservatory in Bulbuley Reserve Forest.
Addressing media representatives, the CCF shared details about the measures undertaken to ensure the continued protection of notified forest lands, aligning with the provisions of the Sikkim Forests, Water Courses and Roads Reserve (Preservation and Protection) Act, 1988.
It was informed that the Plant Conservatory at Bulbuley was initially developed as a conservation space to preserve several of the most significant Himalayan floral species. It has today become one of the most popular destinations for both tourists and educators alike.
However, with the increasing number of tourists over the years, several unauthorised temporary and semi-permanent structures have appeared within the area of the Plant Conservatory. This had raised many concerns such as disruption of public transit, poor sanitation and waste disposal, traffic congestion and most importantly, the degradation of the ecologically sensitive landscape adjoining the Reserve Forest.
The CCF informed that, in line with the humanitarian and people-centric vision of the Chief Minister of Sikkim, the Department adopted a consultative approach to curb illegal encroachment in the area, with emphasis on awareness, dialogue, and provision of alternative eco-friendly vending infrastructure for bonafide local beneficiaries.
Thereafter, eco-friendly stalls had been developed by the Department that were to be administered through the Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) for bonafide local beneficiaries.
Multiple rounds of consultations followed in coordination with the concerned JFMC, public representatives, and local stakeholders with regard to the allotment of the established eco-friendly stalls to the beneficiaries.
The allotment of the stalls was facilitated by the Department on February 8, 2026, with priority accorded to educated unemployed local youth, particularly women, with the objective of promoting women's empowerment, sustainable livelihood generation, and community participation in forest conservation and ecotourism management.
The initiative was aimed at ensuring lawful, dignified, and environmentally sustainable livelihood opportunities for local beneficiaries while strengthening responsible ecotourism practices in the area, it was informed.
Additionally, the Department had initiated due legal procedures well in advance and issued notices for the voluntary removal of unauthorised structures in the area.
Owing to the continuation of unauthorised encroachments throughout the area despite several previous notices and consultations, the Department, having exhausted all possibilities for voluntary compliance and amicable resolution, conducted an anti-encroachment drive pursuant to the current legal provisions on May 8, 2026.
During the briefing, the CCF stressed that this initiative was undertaken with a measured, collaborative and rehabilitative approach, while reiterating the importance of protecting forest land for the purpose of ensuring biodiversity conservation, environmental security, public safety and enabling sustainable ecotourism.
It was further informed that as part of ongoing ecological restoration and recovery efforts, the reclaimed forest areas will be rehabilitated through landscaping and avenue plantation measures.
The CCF, through the briefing, has expressed gratitude to all individuals and stakeholders who cooperated with the Department, complied with the notified regulations, and supported the ongoing conservation efforts by refraining from unauthorised occupation of forest land.
He has further appealed to citizens to continue extending their cooperation towards the protection of ecologically sensitive areas and the promotion of responsible ecotourism practices in the state.
The briefing concluded with the addressing of various queries raised by media personnel regarding the implementation process and related aspects of the drive.
Addressing media representatives, the CCF shared details about the measures undertaken to ensure the continued protection of notified forest lands, aligning with the provisions of the Sikkim Forests, Water Courses and Roads Reserve (Preservation and Protection) Act, 1988.
It was informed that the Plant Conservatory at Bulbuley was initially developed as a conservation space to preserve several of the most significant Himalayan floral species. It has today become one of the most popular destinations for both tourists and educators alike.
However, with the increasing number of tourists over the years, several unauthorised temporary and semi-permanent structures have appeared within the area of the Plant Conservatory. This had raised many concerns such as disruption of public transit, poor sanitation and waste disposal, traffic congestion and most importantly, the degradation of the ecologically sensitive landscape adjoining the Reserve Forest.
The CCF informed that, in line with the humanitarian and people-centric vision of the Chief Minister of Sikkim, the Department adopted a consultative approach to curb illegal encroachment in the area, with emphasis on awareness, dialogue, and provision of alternative eco-friendly vending infrastructure for bonafide local beneficiaries.
Thereafter, eco-friendly stalls had been developed by the Department that were to be administered through the Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) for bonafide local beneficiaries.
Multiple rounds of consultations followed in coordination with the concerned JFMC, public representatives, and local stakeholders with regard to the allotment of the established eco-friendly stalls to the beneficiaries.
The allotment of the stalls was facilitated by the Department on February 8, 2026, with priority accorded to educated unemployed local youth, particularly women, with the objective of promoting women's empowerment, sustainable livelihood generation, and community participation in forest conservation and ecotourism management.
The initiative was aimed at ensuring lawful, dignified, and environmentally sustainable livelihood opportunities for local beneficiaries while strengthening responsible ecotourism practices in the area, it was informed.
Additionally, the Department had initiated due legal procedures well in advance and issued notices for the voluntary removal of unauthorised structures in the area.
Owing to the continuation of unauthorised encroachments throughout the area despite several previous notices and consultations, the Department, having exhausted all possibilities for voluntary compliance and amicable resolution, conducted an anti-encroachment drive pursuant to the current legal provisions on May 8, 2026.
During the briefing, the CCF stressed that this initiative was undertaken with a measured, collaborative and rehabilitative approach, while reiterating the importance of protecting forest land for the purpose of ensuring biodiversity conservation, environmental security, public safety and enabling sustainable ecotourism.
It was further informed that as part of ongoing ecological restoration and recovery efforts, the reclaimed forest areas will be rehabilitated through landscaping and avenue plantation measures.
The CCF, through the briefing, has expressed gratitude to all individuals and stakeholders who cooperated with the Department, complied with the notified regulations, and supported the ongoing conservation efforts by refraining from unauthorised occupation of forest land.
He has further appealed to citizens to continue extending their cooperation towards the protection of ecologically sensitive areas and the promotion of responsible ecotourism practices in the state.
The briefing concluded with the addressing of various queries raised by media personnel regarding the implementation process and related aspects of the drive.
