MLA Sonam Tshering Venchungpa adopts Himalayan Serow under ‘My Child from Wild’ initiative

Sonam Tshering Venchungpa, MLA from Martam-Rumtek constituency and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, has formally joined the ‘My Child from Wild’ initiative by adopting the Himalayan Serow, a rare and vulnerable goat-antelope species native to the Himalayan region. The symbolic adoption, worth ₹50,000, was announced with heartfelt appreciation from the Himalayan Zoological Park, welcoming him into their animal adoption family.

Venchungpa, known for his quiet dedication and strong public service ethics, brings both intellect and empathy to his work. Often described by his peers as a “man of few words but a man of action,” he combines a deep understanding of governance with a lifelong commitment to education, ethics, and environmental sustainability.

An alumnus of Jadavpur University with a degree in Electrical Engineering, Shri Venchungpa later earned a postgraduate diploma from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. His early professional life saw him excel in the corporate world, before shifting to academics where he served as a Professor of Management and Dean of Academics at ICFAI University. However, drawn by the legacy of his late father—a man of principle and integrity—he entered politics in 2004. He was elected to the Sikkim Legislative Assembly in 2019 and won again in the 2024 general elections.

In a statement, Venchungpa emphasized the importance of investing in education, skill development, and managed change to build a "Viksit Sikkim Se Viksit Bharat @2047." He credited Honourable Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for taking consistent long-term measures to uplift these sectors, and expressed his gratitude for the trust shown in him by both the Chief Minister and the people of Martam-Rumtek.

The Himalayan Serow, which Shri Venchungpa adopted, is known for its ability to survive in harsh mountain environments and symbolizes strength, adaptability, and ecological balance. Found along the Himalayan belt, this elusive creature is considered a keystone species whose conservation is vital to maintaining the region’s biodiversity. The species is currently classified as "Vulnerable" under the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and human interference.