Minister Samdup Lepcha, Social Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, flagsoff Sikkim GLOF Expedition Team. The 36 members starts from Gangtok Zero Point, near Sikkim Secretariat on August 31.

The GLOF Expedition Team is a Sikkim Government design, and the direction of NDMA, Government of India. The Expedition Team is supported by the Government of Sikkim.

Their first assessment will be made in Lachung, North Sikkim. Minister Samdup Lepcha requests the Team to carry forward the studies in complete cooperation of the public. The public sentiments of Sikkim is very strong because the 16 lakes of Sikkim are the deities of the old, he reasons.

Dr. Sandeep Tambe, IFS, Secretary of Science and Technology, Government of Sikkim, says that the team wants to make a comprehensive assessment of six lakes of Sikkim.

He says that the Team wants to create a safety model from the Expedition that is useful for all the Himalayan region.

Secretary, Land Revenue Department, Namrata Thapa introduces the 6 Departments of the Government of Sikkim, and their HoDs. The two Central Government Agencies, and the two Central Government authorities (DMA and MDMA), of GLOF Expedition Team. And all the 36 members of GLOF Expedition Team, including the scientists who have joined the Team voluntarily.

She says that the Team is also carrying out community sensitization and promote safety measures with the people of Lachen and Lachung.

Dr. Tambe states that the team wants to create the feeling of belongingness among the people. He further states that two lakes above Gurudongmar will not be assessed now, as per the demands of the locals. These lakes are very sacred to the people, he shares.

There are sixteen lakes in Sikkim, located in Mangan District and Gyalshing District. And this time, GLOF Expedition Team is assessing only six of them.