Welcome to all of you to our 4th
Annual General Meeting of our Society. It also gives me a great
sense of fulfilment to be able to chair the fourth consecutive meeting
with a regularity which defines the ethos of this organisation – that
of keeping in touch with its members and stakeholders on an ongoing
basis. It is also a time to introspect if we are on the right path and
if not then to correct it. There has to be, therefore, dispassionate
discussion on every issue which is of relevance to the strengthening
of the functioning of your organisation. This is the forum for it and
we do hope to see much more forthright discussion and debate.
Transparency in every form has been closely guarded as a core value in
this organisation.
Correction and consolidation are an ongoing process. We are building
an institution of which all of us are proud of. This process is like
the great rivers of Sikkim, the Teesta and Rangit, continuously
flowing and bringing along with it great joy and prosperity to our
State and land. If that symbolises what is good for us then what is
happening to the state of the environment in our small State should be
of concern to all of us. Toward that end ECOSS is working tirelessly.
The past year has been tumultuous and full of achievements. Much of
our operations and the work being carried out by ECOSS are recorded
very dutifully in the report of the Secretary. Even though it does not
pertain to the year under consideration the political environment has
changed substantially. A new Government is in place at the Centre and
the State has also seen many new faces in Government. The policies
will not alter that much in the State though we will see a sea change
in the approach at the Centre. This will lead to more challenges as
well as more opportunities in the foreseeable future.
As we move from a time of consolidation to that of growth we need the
assistance and ideas of our beloved members more than ever. I do hope
to see that there is far more interaction with members in the future.
I seriously implore members to come out with actionable suggestions on
how they can add value to the organisation and to its mandate. To be
sure ECOSS is really a vehicle through which many of our ideas have to
find expression.
I recall with pleasure the long winded but highly creative meetings
which were held by the Founder Members in late 2000. That was when the
whole concept of changing the thinking in tourism circles was first
mooted. We all were individually concerned about how tourism was
taking shape in Sikkim and around in the region. We were concerned
about the future of our environment. We were concerned about the
fragile eco-system of the Himalaya. We thought that just sharing of
concerns was not good enough. We needed to channel our thoughts and
ideas into meaningful programs. Thus the concept of ECOSS was born.
Building this dream into reality has for me personally been an
absorbing challenge. I recall with delight the many late evening
sessions when we debated the idea of an institution which would be
able to take our aforementioned concerns and more and do something
about it. To be able to share every good working model with the whole
world and to be able to share good practices of eco-tourism from the
world around and see if we could use that in our every day lives here
in Sikkim.
We have indeed come a long way since the year 2000. ECOSS is now well
known in many parts of Sikkim as a driver of change and innovative
processes. What we now need to improve on is our capacity to be able
to reach out. I do hope that in the years to come we will be able to
say that we have truly achieved what we set out to do in the formative
years.
I must at this time thank all those whose support and dedication have
been instrumental in building this organisation. The ECOSS team in
particular have done exemplary work. The Executive Committee has
functioned in full strength and contributed tremendously. I really owe
them a big thank you. Even as I say this many people have contributed
in many different ways. I certainly would like to acknowledge everyone
by name but that is near impossible. We have been blessed with so much
and I do hope that this continues unabated.
I am stepping down from the post of Chairperson. We have to elect a
new face from amongst you as also the Executive Body. ECOSS has been
demonstrating the way NGO’s imbibe true democratic processes and
principles within their organisations. Here is another fine example of
the same. I am sure you will be able to find a worthy person who will
continue to guide this organisation together with the Executive Body
for another three years from now.
With these thoughts I commend the Audited Accounts together with the
Annual Report to you to be discussed and then adopted.
Thank you
