Sikkim Targets Sustainable Growth for 2047 Vision

Gangtok: Sikkim wants to grow without killing its environment. State officials and experts gathered in Gangtok for a town hall meeting to build a roadmap for the Viksit Sikkim 2047 vision. The state aims to hit its long-term development targets while keeping the Himalayan landscape intact.

Chief Secretary R. Telang said sustainability must drive future state policies. The state’s economy has ballooned, with the Gross Domestic Product climbing from ₹50 crore to nearly ₹52,000 crore. Environment Minister Raju Basnet noted this growth happened alongside rising forest cover. He argued that the state needs smart planning instead of just fighting new projects. "The focus should be on environmentally responsible planning and implementation rather than opposing hydropower projects altogether," Basnet said.

Major General Ashish Negi noted the Indian Army’s role in protecting local ecosystems. They built a sewage plant near Tsomgo Lake to cut down on pollution. Pradeep Kumar, an official with the Forest Department, stated that building schools and roads matters, but keeping natural resources healthy remains the top priority. MLA Sonam Tshering Venchungpa pushed for more help from the public to stop lasting ecological harm before it happens.

The government is currently pushing programs like Mero Rukh Mero Santati to boost community forestry. Officials agreed that climate resilience and protecting biodiversity are the only ways to move forward. The state remains fixed on its goal to reach a developed status in the next two decades.