Gangtok, June 17: Union Minister of State for MSME and Labour, Shobha Karandlaje, on Wednesday commended Sikkim’s pioneering environmental initiatives, describing the state’s flagship ‘Mero Rukh, Mero Santati’ (My Tree, My Legacy) programme as a model that deserves replication across India.

The minister made the remarks while participating in the nationwide ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign at Smriti Ban in Bulbuley, where she planted a sapling in honour of mothers. The initiative seeks to promote environmental conservation through symbolic tree plantation, reinforcing the bond between nature and family values.

Addressing the gathering, Karandlaje praised the Sikkim Forest and Environment Department for its innovative afforestation programmes and highlighted the success of ‘Mero Rukh, Mero Santati’ in mobilising communities toward sustainable ecological stewardship. She noted that such grassroots-driven efforts demonstrate how collective participation can strengthen India’s environmental resilience.