The beauty and serenity of Sikkim attract travellers throughout the year. But there is now one more reason, rather the most special reason to visit Sikkim. You can now adopt a tree in Sikkim and literally grow your family tree. Sikkim is now allowing people to adopt trees from the forest and form bond with nature. The Sikkim Forest Tree (Amity & Reverence) Rules 2017, issued by the Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Department is looking into this initiative and anyone can adopt a tree in Sikkim, legally.
You Can Form 3 Kinds Of Bonds With The Trees While Adopting
The Sikkim Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department will allow you to bond with your trees in 3 ways. These are some key points to know if you are interested or will ‘adopt a tree’.
- Firstly, anyone can form a ‘Mith/Mit’ or ‘Mitini’ relationship with the adopted tree. This bond signifies that the tree is your ‘sibling’.
- Secondly, if someone wants to build a paternal relationship with a tree, then can even do that. You can adopt a tree and form a paternal relationship.
- Lastly, one can adopt a tree in remembrance of their lost loved ones; ‘Smriti tree’.
Also read: Sikkim Has A Waterfall Named After Amitabh Bachchan & Here’s Everything You Should Know
What Is The Procedure To Adopt A Tree?
The entire process is done legally and follows proper inspection and verification.
- Anyone willing to adopt a tree needs to submit the mandate forms and the required documentation to the forest department.
- After following the verification procedure, the tree will be registered under the adopter’s name.
- There might be chances where the tree falls under someone else’s property. In such a case, both the owner of the property and the adopter of the tree will be signing an agreement including compensation.
- There might be another instance where the tree grows in a public place. In such a case, the government department will look into this matter.
- Unfortunately, if anything or any damage happens to the adopted tree then it will fall under forest offence.
Also read: 5 Reasons Why Sikkim Should Be On Your Summer Bucket List