News & Announcement
Press Secretary Reviews Progress of DST Programmes on GLOF Mitigation and Research Projects
Gangtok, November 3 (IPR): The Press Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr Yougan Tamang, convened a review meeting with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) at Vigyan Bhawan today to assess the progress of key initiatives on Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) mitigation, large cardamom revival, and cancer research and prevention in the State.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Dr Sandeep Tambe, and Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Mr D G Shrestha.
During the meeting, the Department informed that following the 2023 GLOF incident, extensive mitigation works were underway. Sixteen Category-A high-risk glacial lakes in Sikkim, identified under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) framework, were being prioritised for detailed assessments and the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the Department.
The Government aims to safeguard Sikkim’s infrastructure and lives from future glacial flood events through early warning systems (EWS) and the protection of roads, bridges, dams and habitations. It further seeks to strengthen Sikkim’s position in national efforts on Himalayan GLOF risk mitigation.
The meeting noted that the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, has been actively leading the State’s initiatives to address key concerns related to environmental and disaster resilience.
Under a Whole-of-Government Approach (WGA), six state departments, two central agencies, defence organisations, academic institutions, district administrations and local communities are working together under a unified framework. A Multi-Disciplinary Task Force (MDTF) and a High-Level Steering Committee (HLSC) were notified in September 2024, while business rules designating DST as the nodal department for GLOF risk mitigation were issued in February 2025. An Engineering Division has also been established within DST to strengthen technical capacity and facilitate the transfer of research into field-level mitigation measures.
Sikkim’s Four-Step Approach
1. Preliminary Assessment
2. Comprehensive Field-Based Assessment
3. Mitigation Planning and Design
4. Execution and Monitoring
Ongoing studies include hydrometeorological assessments, bathymetric investigations, geological and hydrological analyses, UAV-based terrain mapping, and electrical resistivity tomography. Each lake is being studied individually to develop site-specific mitigation plans. Priority lakes include North Lhonak, South Lhonak, Shako Chho and Changsang, among others.
Emerging Outcomes
Technical and administrative capacity within the State has improved, with geographers, glaciologists, engineers and ecologists preparing DPRs internally without external consultants.
Financial assistance has been secured under the National Glacier Risk Mitigation Programme (NGRMP) through NDMA and SSDMA.
Sikkim’s progress in climate resilience and glacial hazard management has gained recognition at the national level.
The meeting also reviewed the ‘Mero Alaichi, Mero Dhan’ mission, which seeks to revive Sikkim’s native large cardamom crop that supports over 20,000 farming families. The Department discussed the decline in yield due to fungal and viral infections, soil degradation and genetic limitations.
Key Interventions Include:
Protein- and peptide-based antifungal formulations
Lignin-based nano-biopesticides
RNA-based viral management tools
Microbial probiotics for soil and plant health
Tissue-culture-derived disease-free planting material
Speed-breeding protocols to shorten the crop cycle
Development of reference genome and genomics-assisted breeding for high-vigour varieties
The proposal, prepared in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and other national institutions, has been sanctioned. The initiative aims to protect livelihoods, maintain traditional farming systems, and apply science-based solutions for sustaining Himalayan agro-ecosystems.
The Department also presented updates on cancer prevention and research activities being undertaken in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad.
Major Proposals Include:
1. Screening and Discovery Research – multi-project studies on genomics, metabolomics and biomarkers under DHR-ICMR and DBT.
2. Prevention and Intervention Research – state-wide programmes on behavioural risk reduction and HPV vaccination.
3. Nutritional Research – study of dietary patterns among the Bhutia community in relation to stomach and oesophageal cancers.
These initiatives indicate a shift from treatment-based approaches to prevention and early diagnosis, offering a model for cancer control in other Himalayan regions.
Also present were Principal Director, DST, Mr D T Bhutia; Additional Secretary, DST, Ms Baby Mukhiya; Chairman, Sikkim Art, Culture and Heritage Development Board, Mr Sanjay Rai (Dilpali); Scientific Officer, DST, Dr N P Sharma; Assistant Scientific Officer, DST, Dr Laydong Lepcha; and staff members of the Department.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Dr Sandeep Tambe, and Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Mr D G Shrestha.
During the meeting, the Department informed that following the 2023 GLOF incident, extensive mitigation works were underway. Sixteen Category-A high-risk glacial lakes in Sikkim, identified under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) framework, were being prioritised for detailed assessments and the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the Department.
The Government aims to safeguard Sikkim’s infrastructure and lives from future glacial flood events through early warning systems (EWS) and the protection of roads, bridges, dams and habitations. It further seeks to strengthen Sikkim’s position in national efforts on Himalayan GLOF risk mitigation.
The meeting noted that the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, has been actively leading the State’s initiatives to address key concerns related to environmental and disaster resilience.
Under a Whole-of-Government Approach (WGA), six state departments, two central agencies, defence organisations, academic institutions, district administrations and local communities are working together under a unified framework. A Multi-Disciplinary Task Force (MDTF) and a High-Level Steering Committee (HLSC) were notified in September 2024, while business rules designating DST as the nodal department for GLOF risk mitigation were issued in February 2025. An Engineering Division has also been established within DST to strengthen technical capacity and facilitate the transfer of research into field-level mitigation measures.
Sikkim’s Four-Step Approach
1. Preliminary Assessment
2. Comprehensive Field-Based Assessment
3. Mitigation Planning and Design
4. Execution and Monitoring
Ongoing studies include hydrometeorological assessments, bathymetric investigations, geological and hydrological analyses, UAV-based terrain mapping, and electrical resistivity tomography. Each lake is being studied individually to develop site-specific mitigation plans. Priority lakes include North Lhonak, South Lhonak, Shako Chho and Changsang, among others.
Emerging Outcomes
Technical and administrative capacity within the State has improved, with geographers, glaciologists, engineers and ecologists preparing DPRs internally without external consultants.
Financial assistance has been secured under the National Glacier Risk Mitigation Programme (NGRMP) through NDMA and SSDMA.
Sikkim’s progress in climate resilience and glacial hazard management has gained recognition at the national level.
The meeting also reviewed the ‘Mero Alaichi, Mero Dhan’ mission, which seeks to revive Sikkim’s native large cardamom crop that supports over 20,000 farming families. The Department discussed the decline in yield due to fungal and viral infections, soil degradation and genetic limitations.
Key Interventions Include:
Protein- and peptide-based antifungal formulations
Lignin-based nano-biopesticides
RNA-based viral management tools
Microbial probiotics for soil and plant health
Tissue-culture-derived disease-free planting material
Speed-breeding protocols to shorten the crop cycle
Development of reference genome and genomics-assisted breeding for high-vigour varieties
The proposal, prepared in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and other national institutions, has been sanctioned. The initiative aims to protect livelihoods, maintain traditional farming systems, and apply science-based solutions for sustaining Himalayan agro-ecosystems.
The Department also presented updates on cancer prevention and research activities being undertaken in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad.
Major Proposals Include:
1. Screening and Discovery Research – multi-project studies on genomics, metabolomics and biomarkers under DHR-ICMR and DBT.
2. Prevention and Intervention Research – state-wide programmes on behavioural risk reduction and HPV vaccination.
3. Nutritional Research – study of dietary patterns among the Bhutia community in relation to stomach and oesophageal cancers.
These initiatives indicate a shift from treatment-based approaches to prevention and early diagnosis, offering a model for cancer control in other Himalayan regions.
Also present were Principal Director, DST, Mr D T Bhutia; Additional Secretary, DST, Ms Baby Mukhiya; Chairman, Sikkim Art, Culture and Heritage Development Board, Mr Sanjay Rai (Dilpali); Scientific Officer, DST, Dr N P Sharma; Assistant Scientific Officer, DST, Dr Laydong Lepcha; and staff members of the Department.
