The project involves plantation of 70,000 local trees divided amongst two ecological regions of Sikkim; the sub-tropical habitat in the fringes of Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary covering the reserve forests area of Chandaney, Lailakha, and Chandaney ranges in East Sikkim and the temperate habitat at the reserve forests of Tsomgo watershed in East Sikkim.
Aim
Enhancement of
Biodiversity
Carbon Sequestration
Promotion of
Ecotourism
Generation of
Rural Employment
Improvement of
Wildlife Habitats
Why Trees?
The Sikkim Human Development Report 2014 recognised tourism as one of the potential sectors for growth and livelihood creation. Situated at the south-eastern corner of the tiny Himalayan state of Sikkim, the Pangolakha range has been selected to implement the plantation project. Plantation of trees at the forest ranges and in their surrounding villages will help in the ecological and wildlife restoration, and in improving the quality of life of local communities, making them more self-sustained. The tourism sector has emerged as the vital industry of Sikkim in recent decades, providing direct employment to at least 40,000 people.
India has two out of the eighteen biodiversity hot-spots in the world, located in the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas. As per the Sikkim ENVIS Report, Sikkim covers only 0.2% geographical area of the country landmass and has been identified as one of the hot-spot in the Eastern Himalayas. The Himalayas are continuously under global pressure of climate change, which is adversely impacting its fragile ecosystems, rich biodiversity, and sensitive local livelihoods. Forests and climate change are intimately intertwined. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the forests capture atmospheric carbon dioxide at a rate equivalent to about one-third the amount released annually by burning fossil fuels. Stopping deforestation and regenerating forests, therefore, could provide up to 30 per cent of the climate solution.
Social Impact
The tree plantation will help in promoting sustainable eco-tourism and wildlife tourism by improving the overall ecological health and enhancing wildlife habitat in a particular area. The plantation project of 70,000 trees in Sikkim is speculated to create over 5,700 workdays for the rural and tribal communities of Sikkim, including women self-help groups. Indigenous communities are the ones that know their forests the best and that’s why they are encouraged to get involved in plantation activities starting from the pit digging process to their maintenance after the maturity of trees. Through trees, the local communities will be able to attain sustainable income sources in the form of timber-based produce and non-timber forest produces. In terms of carbon offsetting, these trees are going to offset approximately 1.4 million kgs of carbon dioxide! These trees will also help in conserving the local flora and fauna by providing them with adequate food and natural habitat sources.
Adoption Status:
Name of the Company
Number of Trees Adopted
FY
MakeMyTrip Foundation
50,000
2019-20
Blue Dart Express Ltd.
20,000
2017-18
Tree Species
Common Name
Silver Fir
Botanical Name Abies alba
Common Name
Tooni
Botanical Name Toona ciliata
Common Name
Pani Saj
Botanical Name Eurya japonica
Common Name
Kaijal
Botanical Name Bischofia javanica
Common Name
Chinday
Botanical Name Pentapanax leschenaulti
Common Name
Rhododendron
Botanical Name Rhododendron kiusianum
Common Name
Lakhuri
Botanical Name Araucaria bindrabunensis
Common Name
Chan
Botanical Name Santalum album
Common Name
Titey Chaap
Botanical Name Phlogacanthus thursiflorus
Common Name
Kafal
Botanical Name Myrica esculenta
Common Name
Asarey
Botanical Name Viburnum erubescens
Common Name
Faladho
Botanical Name N/A
Common Name
Khanakpa
Botanical Name Evodia fraxinifolia
Common Name
Peepli
Botanical Name Exbucklia populnea
Common Name
Chilaunay
Botanical Name Schima wallichii
Common Name
Mushuray Katush
Botanical Name Castanopsis hystrix
Common Name
Paarang
Botanical Name Mimosa procera
Common Name
Lokta
Botanical Name Daphne spp.
Target Completed
Planters
MakeMyTrip Foundation has
GIFTED A Thicket of 5 Trees
MakeMyTrip Foundation has
GIFTED A Thicket of 5 Trees
MakeMyTrip Foundation has
GIFTED A Thicket of 8 Trees