Sikkim’s Chief Information Commissioner Y.P. Gurung adopts Ghoral under ‘My Child From Wild’ initiative

Y.P. Gurung , a respected and well-known name in Sikkim, was sworn in as the Chief Information Commissioner of Sikkim on April 7, 2023. The ceremony took place under the patronage of Shri P.S. Golay (Tamang), the Honourable Chief Minister of Sikkim. This new role is a proud milestone in the life of Shri Gurung, who retired in 2021 after serving more than 35 years in the Forest and Environment Department of the Government of Sikkim.

Shri Gurung’s story is deeply rooted in the traditions of his family and community. He hails from a family of herders. For the Gurung community, herding is more than just a job; it is a way of life that connects them to their culture and land. Shri Gurung often speaks with pride about his grandfather, Sardar Ran Bahadur Gurung, who was a key figure in West Sikkim many years ago.

Sardar Ran Bahadur was not just a herder but also the only contractor in West Sikkim in his time. He generously donated a large piece of land in 1938 to establish the Sardar Ran Bahadur Gurung Kaluk Senior Secondary School. At that time, there was little money to run the school. The local community worked hard to support the school, including paying teachers' salaries and giving them small plots of land to farm. This spirit of community support kept the school alive and growing.

Besides the school, Sardar Ran Bahadur also developed the Kaluk Bazaar, a market that remains important to the people today. The stories of how he made the bazaar are still told—flattening a hill ridge by hand and moving debris with the help of animal carcasses. It was tough work, but it showed his determination.

In 1933, a strong earthquake hit nearby Nepal, causing damage to the Dubdi Monastery in Sikkim. The royal palace trusted Sardar Ran Bahadur to repair this important monastery. His family continues to feel a close connection to this monastery even today. He also started a Sanskrit school in Bermoik, showing his commitment to education and culture.

Shri Y.P. Gurung was lovingly called "Raja" by his grandfather. He has carried forward the family legacy through his own achievements in his professional career. Like his father, who donated more land to the Kaluk School, Shri Gurung has given back to his community by building a gallery for the school’s playground.

During his long career in the Forest Department, especially while serving as Secretary, Shri Gurung earned the respect of all his colleagues. He is remembered for his dedication and good leadership.

Continuing his love for nature, Shri Gurung has recently adopted a Ghoral from the Himalayan Zoological Park. The Ghoral is a mountain goat-like animal important to the local ecosystem. Though not highly endangered, it plays a key role in supporting predator animals. A legend from the Tamang community even links the Ghoral to the origin of their traditional musical instrument, the Damphu.

The adoption was made through the “My Child From Wild” program, a community-focused initiative that encourages people to connect with, adopt, and conserve wildlife. This program helps spread awareness about nature and involves youth in conservation work.