On December 3, 2024, Sikkim MP Dorjee Tshering Lepcha addressed the Rajya Sabha, calling for the government to provide Sikkim with a Green Bonus and a Special Financial Package. The proposal seeks to recognise the state’s exceptional commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation while addressing the financial challenges posed by natural disasters and strict land-use regulations.
Lepcha highlighted Sikkim’s impressive environmental achievements, noting that 82% of the state is under forest cover, with 31% designated as protected areas. He emphasised the significance of the Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as a symbol of Sikkim’s dedication to conservation. “Sikkim is not just a biodiversity hotspot but a key contributor to global environmental preservation,” Lepcha stated, underscoring that the state harbours 26% of India’s biodiversity within only 0.2% of the country’s total land area.
Sikkim’s eco-friendly policies have earned it international accolades. In 2018, it became India’s first fully organic state, winning the Future Policy Gold Award from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. It was also declared India’s cleanest state in 2015 by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) and recognised in 2024 as the Best State for Environmental Education by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
Despite these achievements, Sikkim continues to face financial constraints. Natural disasters such as flash floods and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) have further strained the state’s limited resources, making additional support crucial for its sustainable growth.
In response to Lepcha’s appeal, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER), affirmed the government’s commitment to Sikkim’s environmental and economic progress. “We acknowledge Sikkim’s invaluable contributions and will work to bolster its economy while advancing its environmental objectives,” Majumdar assured.
