<p>Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has launched an initiative under which 100 trees will be planted for every child born in the Himalayan state.</p>.<p>The initiative, named 'Mero Rukh Mero Santati' (Plant a Tree, Leave a Legacy), is aimed at strengthening the connect between parents, children and nature by planting trees to commemorate childbirth, officials said.</p>.<p>"Watching the trees grow as the baby grows will be a symbolic way of welcoming a newborn and commemorating their arrival on this earth. This is the first of its kind innovative green initiative in India," Tamang said.</p>.<p>At the programme on Thursday, the CM also distributed token seedlings to some new parents.</p>.<p>Forest Department Secretary Pradeep Kumar said the initiative will transform the attitude of the people towards nature, and saplings planted to commemorate childbirth will create a bridge between the generations.</p>.<p>Tamang said the Sikkimese society has an intimate association with nature since time immemorial.</p>.<p>"We not only revere our mountains, lakes, rivers, caves and springs, but venerate the entire landscape as sacred," he said.</p>.<p>"This initiative aims to reinforce this age-old bond of our society with nature. It aspires to co-create an ecosystem where both the tree and the child are able to reach towards the sun, a brighter tomorrow that promises vitality, health and happiness," he added.</p>.<p>Chief Secretary VB Pathak said that for the success of the initiative various departments of the state government will need to converge to facilitate seamless service to the new parents -- right from enrolment to planting and aftercare.</p>.<p>ASHA and Anganwadi workers, panchayats, civic bodies and forest staff will need to facilitate the onboarding of the parents, he said.</p>.<p>Digital platforms such as WhatsApp, email and web portal have been enabled to connect with the new parents, he said.</p>.<p>Sikkim has a population of about 6.32 lakh, according to the Sikkim Information Commission.</p>
<p>Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has launched an initiative under which 100 trees will be planted for every child born in the Himalayan state.</p>.<p>The initiative, named 'Mero Rukh Mero Santati' (Plant a Tree, Leave a Legacy), is aimed at strengthening the connect between parents, children and nature by planting trees to commemorate childbirth, officials said.</p>.<p>"Watching the trees grow as the baby grows will be a symbolic way of welcoming a newborn and commemorating their arrival on this earth. This is the first of its kind innovative green initiative in India," Tamang said.</p>.<p>At the programme on Thursday, the CM also distributed token seedlings to some new parents.</p>.<p>Forest Department Secretary Pradeep Kumar said the initiative will transform the attitude of the people towards nature, and saplings planted to commemorate childbirth will create a bridge between the generations.</p>.<p>Tamang said the Sikkimese society has an intimate association with nature since time immemorial.</p>.<p>"We not only revere our mountains, lakes, rivers, caves and springs, but venerate the entire landscape as sacred," he said.</p>.<p>"This initiative aims to reinforce this age-old bond of our society with nature. It aspires to co-create an ecosystem where both the tree and the child are able to reach towards the sun, a brighter tomorrow that promises vitality, health and happiness," he added.</p>.<p>Chief Secretary VB Pathak said that for the success of the initiative various departments of the state government will need to converge to facilitate seamless service to the new parents -- right from enrolment to planting and aftercare.</p>.<p>ASHA and Anganwadi workers, panchayats, civic bodies and forest staff will need to facilitate the onboarding of the parents, he said.</p>.<p>Digital platforms such as WhatsApp, email and web portal have been enabled to connect with the new parents, he said.</p>.<p>Sikkim has a population of about 6.32 lakh, according to the Sikkim Information Commission.</p>