A woman was injured in a leopard attack in Sikkim’s Namchi district on Sunday, forest officials said.

The incident took place in the forested Melli Dara area while the woman was collecting cattle fodder. Suddenly, a leopard attacked her, leaving her injured. Upon hearing her cries for help, local residents rushed to the spot and managed to rescue her while the leopard fled into the forest, officials stated.

The injured woman was immediately taken to STNM Hospital in Gangtok for medical treatment, they added.

Following the incident, forest officials have urged residents of the area to exercise caution while venturing into forested regions, especially during early morning and evening hours, as human-wildlife encounters are becoming more frequent. They also advised people to avoid going alone into dense forest areas to prevent such attacks in the future.

Namchi Wildlife Division’s Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary under the Forest and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim, successfully conducted a two-day capacity-building training for field staff and Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) at Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary from February 27 to 28. The training was organized under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Plan (2024-25) to enhance skills and knowledge in wildlife conservation, covering bird identification, Indian wildlife laws, biodiversity management, and sustainable tourism.

The program was chaired by ACF MWLS Jicdhol Bhutia, ACF Dorjee Wangmu Bhutia, RO Ved Nedhi Regmi, and BO RC Adhikari. Experts led informative sessions on various aspects of wildlife protection. Atharva Singh from WWF-India provided insights into legal frameworks and strategies for combating wildlife crimes, along with the basics of bird identification. Ugen T Bhutia, Graduate Forester, highlighted the importance of biodiversity conservation, while Surekha Chettri discussed sustainable wildlife tourism and its benefits for conservation and local communities. Manita Gajmer emphasized the ethical responsibilities of field staff in enforcing wildlife protection laws.

On the second day, participants took part in a birdwatching field visit inside Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, led by Atharva Singh. Over 20 bird species were recorded along a 1km trail, including Fire-tailed Myzornis, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Bar-throated Minla, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, and Himalayan Bluetail. Participants also shared their field experiences, fostering collaboration and shared learning.

The training successfully strengthened the capacity of forest field staff and EDC members, equipping them with practical knowledge for effective wildlife protection. Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary continues to focus on biodiversity conservation through community engagement and professional development.

An interactive session with participants of the Border Area Youth Exchange Programme was held at the Conference Hall of the District Administrative Centre (DAC), Gangtok. The session was attended by Shri Sisum Wangchuk Bhutia, ADC Gangtok, and Shri Sandeep Kumar, IAS, Assistant Collector, Gangtok, along with 27 participants from Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) Gangtok, the programme ran from 26th February to 2nd March 2025. The initiative gave youths from non-border districts the chance to visit border areas and learn about life in those regions. Participants visited significant sites like Changu and Baba Mandir, and also toured the 341 Black Cat Division of the Indian Army in Swastik, Gangtok, gaining a firsthand experience of the army’s daily operations.

Shri Sourav Barman, DYO, NYK Gangtok, outlined the goals of the programme, highlighting its focus on fostering inclusiveness and national integration. Participants shared their experiences, praising the good governance, traffic discipline, and cleanliness in Gangtok.

Shri Sisum Wangchuk Bhutia applauded the initiative, expressing hope that such programmes would further promote unity among the youth across India. Shri Sandeep Kumar, IAS, encouraged the participants to continue practicing the positive aspects they observed during their visit, emphasizing the importance of good governance, especially in Sikkim’s challenging terrains.

The session concluded with the distribution of certificates and mementoes to the participants, followed by a group photo. The event successfully demonstrated the power of youth exchanges in promoting patriotism, unity, and mutual understanding.

Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol Meets Sikkim Governor to Boost Air Connectivity at Pakyong Airport

Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, met with Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur at Raj Bhavan to discuss enhancing air connectivity in the state. A primary focus of their discussion was the operational challenges at Pakyong Airport, particularly the need to implement an advanced landing system to improve flight operations during low-visibility conditions.

Pakyong Airport, inaugurated in 2018, has faced frequent flight cancellations, especially during the monsoon season, due to poor visibility. Initially operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), which require a minimum ground visibility of 5 kilometers, the airport struggled when visibility dropped to 500 meters or less. In January 2021, a Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach was introduced, reducing the visibility requirement to 2.4 kilometers and decreasing flight cancellations by 75%. However, the installation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) has been limited by space constraints, hilly terrain, and the need for additional land and tree removal. 

Governor Mathur has been proactive in addressing these challenges. During a two-day visit to Pakyong District in October 2024, he engaged with stakeholders, including local officials and airport authorities, to assess the operational issues affecting the airport. He emphasized the importance of the airport as a gateway for commerce and tourism in Sikkim and expressed commitment to resolving the obstacles hindering its full functionality. 

In his meeting with Minister Mohol, Governor Mathur reiterated the urgency of operationalizing an advanced landing system at Pakyong Airport. Minister Mohol assured that efforts are underway to make the system functional soon and that additional airlines are expected to commence operations from the airport in the near future. This development is anticipated to boost Sikkim’s tourism sector and provide better connectivity for residents and visitors alike.