Minister Lok Nath Sharma attended a Workshop-cum-Awareness on Tibetan Sheep Conservation and Development programme

Lachen : Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Shri Lok Nath Sharma attended a Workshop-cum-Awareness on Tibetan Sheep Conservation and Development programme as the Chief Guest and the Hon’ble Minister-cum-Area MLA of Lachen Mangan Constituency Shri Samdup Lepcha was present as the Guest of Honour at Livestock Farm Complex, Rabum, Lachen, today. The workshop, focused on the emergent need for Conservation and Development of Tibetan Sheep in Sikkim and Induction of parent breeding stock, was organised by Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department in collaboration with Lachen Dzumsa under the funding of Border Area Development Programme. Minister Sharma, in his address, affirmed that the state government is dedicated to fulfill its commitments and aspirations of public. He expressed happiness on the activities of Animal Husbandry veterinary services being performed by the officials and field functionaries in North District. He informed about the various facilities being provided to the beneficiaries and gave strong directives to ensure quality inputs to the farmers. Sharing his experiences over the field inspections of Horticulture farm, Lachung, Minister expressed his concern over reduction in productivity and extinction of Apple species and further stressed to revive the field with new research work. He also advised Dzumsa to select dedicated farmers of the locality and asked them to submit a proposal expressing their interest to take up climatically favorable cultivation and vegetations, so that the productivity potential of Lachung can be regained connecting the concept of Agro-Tourism. He strongly alleged previous government for promotion of farming in official documents rather practicing in the field. He also announced to establish concrete fencing in Livestock Farm Complex at Rabum and to generate revenue. He also shared his planning to rear newly procured sheep with the construction of Additional Infrastructures and asked concerned officials to submit estimate report at the earliest. Minister also announced to reward five officials and two yak herders with departmental felicitation letter and cash award of Rupees three thousand each to the five officials and two yak herder who all played instrumental role in bringing high altitude Sheep ‘ Vyanlung’ from Ladakh. He also assured to provide additional manpower for North District based on official proposal and assured to extend all possible support for the development of Lachen/ Lachung. He also paid gratitude to the Road and Bridges Minister for successfully completing long pending public demand of Bermiok to Gyalshing Road connectivity via Rungdu within short span of eight months of the new government formation. Addressing the gathering, Minister Samdup Lepcha underlined the significance of every species available in the highlands of North Sikkim. He also applauded the departmental activities in Veterinary Services in the North District and anticipated sustainable growth with same momentum in future period as well . He also advised to select deserving and interested farmers to distribute newly procured sheep from Ladakh after rearing for certain period of time in the livestock farm, Rabum. He also urged the concerned department to carryout activities in consultation of respective Dzumsa. He also stressed upon quality works of upcoming developmental works in his constituency. Minister Lepcha also informed about the seriousness of the State Government to aware about the preventive measures of Corona Virus. He also advised people to apply health advisory released by the concerned authority. He also marked the event a historic day and mentioned that his constituency has witnessed first ever event of a departmental function with the concerned minister to ensure benefit of the people at grassroot level. Pepon of Lachen Dzumsa Shri Gyatso Lachenpa thanked the state government for procuring high altitude sheep from Ladakh to conserve Tibetan Sheep in the state. He also informed that the department availed required feed to yaks in advance and mitigated the mortality with full accountability, this year. He also urged for the establishment of feed block infrastructures and urged for coordination with Dzumsa in carrying out activities. Secretary Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Shri SB Subba stressed upon need of united efforts for conservation of endangered variety of animals. He also underlined the climatic and geographical potential of North District enriched for farming and rearing of high value cattle breeds . Additional Director(N), AH&VS Dr. Karma Bhutia outlined the background of the project and gave an overview of the district schemes and programmes. During the programme Minister Sharma distributed token of Backyard Poultry Chicks with grant in aid, which was also informed to be distributed to altotal One Hundred Eighty Seven beneficiaries in the district, Power Tiller, Concentrate feed and fodder, Chaff Cutter etc. Earlier, Both the Minsters carried out field inspections and visited Improvised Rabbit Rearing Shed of Angora and Broiler breed and also planted saplings of Ficus Hookeri in the Organic Temperate Fodder Nursery. They also visited Trout Hatchery-cum-Trout Rearing Unit at Rabum and discussed with the concerned Secretary and Director for upgradation of the infrastructures for fisheries farming with quality works.