Will Sikkim’s eco-restoration drive repeat old mistakes?
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Summary
In January 2026, the forest department began felling dhupi (Cryptomeria japonica) across the rain shadow ridges of Gupti and Mungrang in the Sadam Hills of Namchi District, southern Sikkim, along with chir pine and juniper. Officials of the Namchi Territorial Division are removing dhupi from several reserved forests in the region. According to the department, the objective is to conserve natural