GANGTOK: Y.P. Gurung, the current Chief Information Commissioner and a former officer with the Sikkim Forest and Environment Department, has adopted a Ghoral at the Himalayan Zoological Park. This act, Gurung says, is a reflection of his enduring dedication to wildlife and conservation, a passion cultivated over his 35-year career with the department before his retirement in 2021. The Ghoral, a species of mountain goat, is not only crucial to the local ecosystem but also holds deep cultural significance in Tamang folklore.
Gurung’s adoption was facilitated through the “My Child From Wild” programme, an initiative designed to connect communities with wildlife and promote conservation. The programme actively involves youth in these efforts, helping to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the state’s natural heritage.
His lifelong commitment to the environment and community service is deeply rooted in his family’s history. Gurung comes from a family of herders from West Sikkim, where herding is more than just an occupation—it’s a way of life that ties them to their land and traditions. He often speaks with great pride about his grandfather, Sardar Ran Bahadur Gurung, a towering figure in the region’s history.
Sardar Ran Bahadur was a man of many parts—a prominent herder and the only contractor in West Sikkim in his time. In 1938, he made a significant contribution by donating a large plot of land to establish the Sardar Ran Bahadur Gurung Kaluk Senior Secondary School. With limited funds available for the school’s operation, the local community rallied together, providing financial support and land to the teachers, ensuring the school’s survival and growth.
Sardar Ran Bahadur’s contributions extended beyond education; he was also instrumental in developing the Kaluk Bazaar, a market that remains a vital hub for the community today. His reputation for integrity and skill led the royal palace to entrust him with the repairs of the historic Dubdi Monastery in 1933, after it was damaged by an earthquake in nearby Nepal. His family continues to cherish this connection to the monastery. He also championed culture and education by founding a Sanskrit school in Bermoik.
This legacy of giving continues through the generations. Just as Gurung’s father donated more land to the Kaluk School, Gurung himself has contributed to his community by building a gallery for the school’s playground. His adoption of the Ghoral is a modern extension of this family tradition of stewardship—a commitment to both his community and the natural world.
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