Tucked away in the Himalayas, India’s Sikkim state has averaged an annual growth of 12.6 percent over the last eight years. The state of 600,000 people is of strategic importance to India, surrounded by China, Nepal and Bhutan on three sides. The former monarchy of Sikkim joined the Indian federation of states in 1975 and has been the most peaceful among India’s strife-torn northeastern states.
The chief minister, Pawan Kumar Chamling, has been in power since December 1994, making him the second longest-serving state chief in India’s history. In an interview with India Ink, Mr. Chamling explained how his government has managed to build a development consensus that has eluded Sikkim’s neighboring states.
Sikkim is India’s fastest-growing state since 2004, but somehow its growth story has not been in the limelight as much as Gujarat or Bihar, for example.
Yes, we do not get as much recognition because we are a small state, in a remote part of the country. But we are a sensitive border state – landlocked by China, Nepal and Bhutan. Yet we are among the most peaceful and progressive states of India. The general impression of border states in India is that they are not peaceful, there is lack of development, leading to unemployment and strife. Sikkim, through its example, has changed that perception. Within five years Sikkim will become a poverty-free state, and it will become the first state to have 100 percent concrete houses.
But fast economic growth often comes with environmental hazards, especially in a state that is part of the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Has Sikkim’s environment taken a beating in the state’s pursuit of fast growth?
Our development mantra is innovative, based on natural resources, hydropower, organic farming, ecotourism, floriculture and clean industries. Only 14 percent of our land is inhabitable – the rest is taken up by Himalayan glaciers and jungles. But we have turned our locational disadvantage into an opportunity by protecting our biodiversity and inviting tourists to come and enjoy Sikkim’s natural beauty. We have banned grazing, killing of wildlife and eliminated deforestation. Every time we cut a tree for a development project, we plant 20 saplings elsewhere. We have banned pesticides, and in two years we will become a fully organic state. We have promoted clean industries – we have removed the polluting silicon industry out of the state. If the world adopts Sikkim’s model, global warming can be tackled.
How have you brought about the development consensus among people, particularly in the rural areas, in what is still a very traditional society? In many parts of India we see the biggest impediment to development is that locals do not want to give up on land or traditional means of livelihood.
I consider the rural people my overlords – I tell them that I am their main servant. Sikkim is ours; we must build it together. I tell them we have to use our natural resources – our land, our water. If the government wants their land for a road or other construction, I am ready to pay them more than the market price. I don’t believe in compulsory taking away. I negotiate. I engage in dialogue. That is why people are with me in this quest for development. And our state is investment friendly – we invite industries as development partners of our state. They get good, secure conditions to invest, while locals are happy because it creates jobs.
Some of your critics say that perhaps development has happened too fast for the local population. They claim that locals are not getting jobs, which are being taken away by immigrants.
Those people are backward in their thinking. We are just about entering India’s development mainstream and we have a lot of catching up to do to enter the global mainstream. We are still in the agricultural age, not even manufacturing. We are still way behind in terms of education, health and other social indicators. We have a long way to go, and it is my obsession that we do it quickly.
As for immigrants, if there is manpower demand there will be supply from outside sometimes. Sikkimese people do not like to do manual labor, so outsiders will come. But old laws still protect the right of Sikkimese people over land and other resources. So I do not see immigration as a problem.
Trade with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region through the Nathu La Pass was one of your dream projects and the route finally opened up in 2005 for restricted trade. Has the project lived up to your expectations?
I strongly believe that trade through Nathu La should become full-fledged, and all items should flow across the border. People should also be allowed to cross the border for tourism – that can only bring benefits to Sikkim. I am actually unhappy with the Border Roads Organization (of the Indian Army) for not maintaining the road properly. Landslides have caused damage and affected trade more than we would want. On the Chinese side, the road looks in great condition, and this disparity has national security implications as well.
You have now been in power for 18 years, which is quite unique in India, where state governments generally change every four years. Do you see yourself more as an Asian-style figurehead, or even a neo-royal in this former monarchy?
In a democracy, people are supreme. I have been elected four times because people have liked my work. Because our model is working, so people are happy with this model. I don’t think I am a royal figure or a father figure. I think Sikkimese people feel that this is their government. They believe that if their parents could not educate them, the government will. If we cannot eat, the government will provide. That is why they have faith in this government. And they think I am the top man in this government.
