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Kurseong, Feb. 2: After a stroll through tea bushes round the lake-tucked in the folds of mountains – a short trek up the slopes opens to the magnificent view of the picturesque Kurseong town. The gurgle of a small brook rippling by only adds to the quaint character of the place.
Bhangzang Salamander Lake, 14 km from here, would have still remained the swamp filled with debris and weeds, had it not been for the members of the Margaret’s Hope-Gorabari gram pahchayat.
Once a favourite haunt of British visitors, the lake had long turned into a swamp after the debris of a landslide almost covered it up. In August 2004, the 23-member panchayat samiti took it up as a challenge and now it is all set to restore the lake’s former charm.
“The place used to be a favorite hang-out for not only British visitors but also residents of Darjeeling, Ghoom, Sonada and Kurseong. A boat ride on the lake used to be the show-stealer. But following a massive landslide in 1968, the debris filled up almost the entire water-body, turning it into a swamp,” said Jagat Syangbo, the gram panchayat pradhan. “Keen to revive it, our members, along with residents of the area, set out to clean it. Only a little bit of work is left.”
With no special funds allotted for the revival project, the panchayat members contributed form their respective development funds. “With the local people working as laborers, we did not need anything more than Rs. 1 lakh. We paid them 8 kg of rice every day,” Syangbo added.
The lake is also ecologically significant, being the natural habitat of salamanders (under the threat of extinction across the world). Besides, the panchayat members have started breeding 15,000 species of fish in the lake. They also have plans to start boating and horse-riding in the area.
Source: The telegraph
Dated: 3rd February 2006.
YAMBONG ECO-TOURISM COMMITTEE: ONE STEP FORWARD
With the initiatives of the Government of Sikkim and all concerned, Yambong Singalila made a beginning in October 2005 and has made an excellent success during the last autumn season. This community based tourism initiative has given an opportunity for he local communities of Sindrabong, Topung, Lungang, Rimbik, Nambu, Singpheng and many adjoining villages as a result of the tremendous efforts of area MLA-cum-minister, Kalawati Subba.
After gaining certain experiences from the part initiatives, Yambong Eco-tourism committee has come up with new initiatives for this year. A review meeting of the committee was held a few weeks ago at Nambu, which was chaired by the area MLA.
Among the various goals set up by the YEC includes to provide better employment opportunities to its members by building the local capacity; to protect a and preserves Yambong Singalila for the long run; to develop village campsites and provide better quality services to its visitors.
During the meeting the Area MLA, who is also the chief advisor of the committee suggested that preserving the natural resources,, cultural values and providing livelihood opportunities are the prime objective of the committee, hence everyone should strive forward and put the best effort to ensure successful eco-tourism.
During the meeting it was also decided that the poorest of the poor are the porters, keeping this in mind more opportunities should be given to them. A ratio of 1:2 porters shall be implemented by the committee form the next season. A feedback mechanism from travel agents and tourist is also going to be started form this year, so that the committee can reduce shortcomings and enhance the strengths.
Registration and I-Cards have been issued to all the members of the YEC, includes 85 porters and other service providers. Home stays at Nambu, Rimbick, Sang Khola and Chongri are being YEC has collected posters relating to eco-tourism and has displayed them at the office at Nambu. With all this YEC hopes to provide better services to the trek operators and its visitor guests, informs a press release issued by the mountain Institute [TMI].
Further more, a community campsite at Chongri, (yak herders village0 has been completed with the support to TMI. This community campsite consist of beautiful kitchen-cum-porter’s hut, toilet and bath room with running water and a ground leveled for camping. This community campsite will be managed by the sister concern of YEC, a local NGO call Sindrabong Khangchendzonga Eco-friendly Society (SKES). The income generated from this community camp site will be distributed into three parts i.e. 30% will go to the land owner, 30% for maintenance and new initiatives at the campsite and 40 % shall go to SKES for village developmental activities.
The meeting also revealed that a total of Rs. 5,82,030 were earned by the local communities during the last season, out of which an income of Rs. 2,97,540 has been distributed among 13 pack animal operators and a total of Rs. 2,84,490 have been earned by the porters leaving Rs. 16,500 for YEC’s net revenue. The contribution taken by the YEC was from its member as their fees [Rs. 11,500] and rest [Rs. 5,000] was contributed by the area MLA.
The review meeting showed that his fund was utilized for salary for the coordinator, communication, web site creation, office rental charge, organizing review meeting and other miscellaneous costs. YEC has also opened up a Bank account at State Bank of India Pelling Branch and will maintain fund transaction through this bank account from the next season.
It was also revealed in the meeting that in the last few month, a representative of YEC attended a meeting called by other eco-tourism communities from 19th –21st January 2006 at Yuksam West Sikkim . During the meeting Sikkim Eco-tourism and Conservation Federation (SECF) was formed. YEC has also become a member of the federation and has promised to work jointly. YEC also attended another state level meeting, organized by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology fund Environment at Gangtok. Various issue and ongoing initiatives were highlighted in the gathering. After the presentation, various issues were also discussed; the other members who attended this meeting were SAATO, Director STDC, official of forest Department, NGOs and representatives of other eco-tourism committees of Sikkim. After the discussion, it was felt that better networking with TAAS and SAATO is necessary for the smooth and successful functioning of this enterprise.
The final announcement made during the meeting was that a new tourist package called “Himalayan Heritage Hamlet trek” is in the pipe-line. This 11-day trek passes through some of the remotest villages where the traditional culture is still rich, vibrant and alive . One can experience the lifestyle of the yak herders at Chongri, Limboo culture at Topung, Bhutia culture at Melli, make a wish at the Khecheopalri wishing lake, archaeological capital of Sikkim and Pokhri Danra, Gurung sheep herders at Labdang, Lepcha indigenous community at Martam and in the end relax in the healing waters of the Borong Heritage hotspring. We will soon be forwarding this package to all trek and tours operators with a request for promotion and marketing.
The release also requested to log on to www.yambong.com or send a mail at info@yambong.com or call at 09733085127 / 09733030979 for further information.
Source: Now.
Dated: 2nd February.