1. Sikkim’s “Mero Rukh Mero Santati” (MRMS) initiative takes center stage at COP28 in Dubai.
2. This pioneering program plants 108 trees for every newborn child in Sikkim.
3. MRMS blends cultural significance with practical environmental conservation, contributing to India’s climate leadership.
Gangtok, Nov 07: As the world prepares for the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023, a remarkable initiative from the Indian state of Sikkim is poised to steal the spotlight.
The “Mero Rukh Mero Santati” (MRMS) initiative, initiated by the Government of Sikkim, will feature prominently at the India Pavilion during COP28, underscoring India’s global climate leadership and offering a fresh approach to tackling one of the planet’s most critical issues.
The MRMS initiative, often fondly referred to as “Mero Rukh Mero Santati,” draws inspiration from the profound significance of the number ‘108’ in Indian spiritual traditions. Representing universal wholeness and completeness, ‘108’ has taken on a powerful new meaning in the realm of environmental conservation.
Under this initiative, Sikkim commits to planting 108 trees for every newborn child. Beyond its spiritual roots, MRMS presents a pragmatic and visionary stride towards India’s ‘Net Zero’ goal.
This initiative goes beyond symbolism; it actively engages communities in afforestation, rewards conservation efforts, and provides incentives to preserve trees by offsetting potential income losses from alternative land use.
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What truly distinguishes MRMS from conventional environmental efforts is the harmonious blend of cultural resonance and practical environmental preservation. This initiative elevates the age-old practice of tree planting into a deeply meaningful and personally fulfilling experience. When parents plant 108 trees in honor of their newborn child, they are essentially bequeathing a life free from the burden of carbon emissions.
Even more impressively, the 108 trees planted for each child can more than compensate for the average annual per capita carbon footprint of an Indian citizen at current levels. This initiative empowers ordinary individuals to play a direct and tangible role in the broader aspiration of achieving a ‘Net Zero’ India.
Sikkim’s MRMS initiative aims to nurture a self-sustaining culture of tree planting, further solidifying the state’s commitment to environmental conservation. Transforming everyday citizens into environmental advocates, sets the stage for community-driven carbon credit programs, allowing local communities to reap direct benefits from carbon sequestration.
All newborns in Sikkim are eligible beneficiaries of MRMS, and the state government actively encourages voluntary participation. Embodying the principle of intergenerational equity, MRMS also seeks to enrich Sikkim’s environmental legacy for future generations. In its inaugural year, over 3,000 newborns have been registered under the MRMS initiative, underscoring the enthusiastic response it has received.
