 |
|||
|
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|||
|
Click the text
More...
for detail news
2005/2004/2003
news
|
|||
|
Gangtok, Jan. 11: The Sikkim government will set up a university of peace, ecology, bio-cultural harmony and medicine in the state. The university will be named after Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. Chief minister Pawan Chamling announced this at the national committee meeting of the 2,550th anniversary of the mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha held in New Delhi yesterday. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is also the chairman of the committee. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and chief ministers and leaders from other states attended the meet. Chamling said the institute will be set up mainly to disseminate the idea of peace and the advantages man stands to gain form it, it will, therefore, work on peace and related issues including development, environment, natural resources, social harmony, human values, community living, cultural equanimity, traditional practices and rituals, religious spots and precincts and disaster management. The chief minister also said Namgyal institute of Tibetology here - one of the oldest research institutes on Tibetan Buddhism which houses rare documents on Buddhism- will be upgraded and reorganized so that it can be turned into a worldclass research centre for religious philosophy. The Chief minister said a Buddhist circuit had now been identified as a priority area it the tourism development policy of the Centre and Sikkim could play a vital role in this regard. He said the state can be a hub connecting all major Buddhist destinations in India and the neighboring countries, including Bodhgaya in Bihar, Rumtek in Sikkim, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, Lumbini in Nepal, Takshang in Bhutan, Joksang and Potala in Lhasa. He said such circuit tourism will be launched here this year. Chamling is slated to leave for Southeast Asia soon. His first stop will be Singapore, where he will study the factors that have led to the development of the tiny country in the span of decades with not natural resources but just human resource. He is also expected to visit Malayasia and Thailand, to study the tourism sector there.
Source: The Telegraph . Spirits high at carnival
Triveni (Kalimpong), Jan. 17 : The DGHC –orgnised Rangeet-Teesta Tourism Carnival Festival held here –20 km from Kalimpong- has thrown up a lot of positives. The seven-day carnival officially concluded today, though residents here plan to continue with the festivities for a while longer. DGHC officials and tour operators feel the festival has done a lot to promote the area as a tourist destination and get people from the hills hooked on to the lures of river rafting and tongbas (a local drink made from millet. “We have got an immense response,” said Bhanu Lama, a former DGHC councilor and the fest’s coordinator. “The carnival has done wonders for the promotion of rafting,” said Sukhbir Tamang, the proprietor of the Teesta-based Action Adventures and Rescue Group, “Ninety percent of the people who visited the festival tried rafting. It has always been a favourite with tourists, but we feel that now it has caught the imagination of the local people as well. Twenty-five –year-old Sangeeta Gurung from Darjeeling, who had come here with her family, said: “This was my first time on a raft and I really enjoyed it a lt. I will make it a point to come back again with my friends.” If rafting was the hot favourite, food and tongba stalls were not far behind. “We did very god business,” said Norbu Lama from Riyang, about 16 km from here, who had set up a food stall at the fest. “There is so much demand that we are going through three days’ supplying in one day.” Murli Agrawal, who has a cloth shop at Teesta, about 3 km form the venue, said: if the place is to be promoted, the festival must be held every year”.
Source: The Telegraph Second convention of Sikkim Association of Adventure and Tourism operators. The Second convention of the Sikkim Association of Adventure and Tourism operators took place at Community hall, Namchi on 13th January 06. In the programme Mr. D.D. Bhutia, Minister for UD&HD was the Chief Guest and Mr. D. N. Thakarpa, Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly was the Guest of Honour. The Chief Guest in his speech said that Namchi is emerging as the new Tourist destination in Sikkim and further added that Tourism is the main Industry in Sikkim and has been blessed with a natural beauty. Outlining this, he said only 12% of the Land is cultiviable in Sikkim, rest are covered with glaciers, flora and fauna and in the end he wished a successful convention and for their happy stay in Sikkim. Speaking as the Guest of Honour, Mr. D. N. Thakarpa in his speech highlighted the importance of rich bio-diversity, the flor and fauna which has made Sikkim a Tourist destination. He also said that Sikkim is in a developing phase therefore more importance should be given for the cultivation of Orchids. Later in the programme Ms. Karma Wangmu, SDM, made a presentation on the importance of Samdruptse and cultural programme was also presented by the various association. Among the members present were delegated of SATTO, Mr. Alok Srivastava, Tourism Secretary, Mr. Vishal Chawan, D.C.(South), Mr. A. Dutta, Addl DGP, the member of SAATO and others. Earlier Mr. Y. Dorjee, President, SAATO presented the welcome speech .
Source: Sikkim Herald
CM in Thailand, highlights Sikkim’s need to build Buddhist Circuit Tourism with Thailand. Gangtok : The Chief Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling who is currently on study tour in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand visited the office of the Director General, Department of Agriculture Extension, Bangkok on January 19, where he was accorded a hearty welcome and given briefing on floriculture production and promotion with main focus on flowers and mushroom. The Chief Minister was accompanied by the Dy. Chief of Indian Mission, Mr. T. P. Seetharam, Mrs. Tika Maya Chamling, Principal Secreatry to theChief Minister and his Medical advisor. According to a message received from the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, the organizers have explained that through Thailand secured annually US $ 75.4 million from flowers yet it was only 5.4% of world Market, major contributions and beneficiaries being Netherlands followed by France and other European Countries. Earlier, the Chief Minsiter thanked the Thailand Government for arraning the presentation and highlighted about Sikkim’s need for buildingup Buddhist Circuit tourist with Thailand, which is a Buddhist Country. The Chief Minister also apprised them that floriculture, food processing units and natural resources are Sikkim’s real wealth. Later in the day the Chief Minister visited Sanut Sakhon Agriculture Occupation and Promotion development Centre having total of 6 acres of farming which educates and demonstrates courses on Herbs, Mushroom and Orchids. 17 Similar centers also existed in Thiland. Sikkim was also invited to participate in the Royal Project on Orchids World Exhibition scheduled to be held in December-January 2006-07 in Bangkok. The Chief Minister and his entourage also visited. Chaochavil Orchid Farm. The Chief Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling, who is currently on study tour of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, reached Thailand on 18th January, 2006. Earlier, on his arrival at Bankok, capital of Thailand, the Indian High Commissioner of Thailand, Shri Vivek Katju called on the Chief Minister and remained with him for about half an hour. Earlier, according to an information received from the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Dr. Chamling left for Kaulalumpur and visited the Gentling Highlands Tourism complex on January 17, which is about 80 km. From Kaulalumpur and connected through cable car and road. The Chief Minster traveled by the cable car and covered a distance of 3.4 km and was highly impressed by the magniture of the complex and facilities provided therein. There Chief Minister was seen off by the senior officers of the Indian High Commission on January 18 at Kualalumpur airport before his departure to Tailand.
Source: Sikkim Herald.
|
Blue Sheep: A Cry from the Wild
A joint team of the Forest Department, The Mountain Institute, Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee organized a winter habitat survey in the Khangchendzonga National Park from 5th to 14th January 2006. During the summer habitat survey of 2005 it was found that the tourists camp right on the Sungmoteng Tsho (Samiti Lake) bank, which was rapidly regarding this sacred lake. Since the camping was right on the lake more than 5000 persons defecate on the lake bank and the pack animals were also all kept here. This is also the habitat for water birds, blue sheep (Ban Bheda) and snow leopard. It was felt that this site nees to be given higher conservation importance. Consequently the forest department shifted the camping on Sungmoteng Tsho (Samiti lake0 to Lamune which is just half a kilometer downstream (20 minutes walk) with water availability and also being less windy, ensued a more comfortable camping. Movement of pack animal (horses and dzos) beyong Lamune [towards Samiti Lake (Sungmo Tsho)] and support staff was also prohibited throughout the year. This conservation regulation has resulted in increasing the value of the lake, preserved its sacredness and conserved its rich wildlife. Right at Samiti Lake the team could sight a flock of 39 healthy and robust Blue Sheep. There is increased fodder availability of importance fodder plants like Sun Bui (kobresia cappilifolia) due to the reduction in domestic livestock like horses, dzos and yaks over the last year. The transfer of camping site from Samiti Lake to Lamune has given a new lease of life to the lake and saved this vital habitat of the Blue Sheep. We also sighted a flock of 11 blue sheep at Semathang valley. It was also found that main summer pasture for the blue sheep was the Yongzokdrak meadows beyond the Gochela pass. However these meadows were not available for the blue sheep during winter due to heavy snow cover. Hence all the blue sheep descend down the Thangsing valley during winter and inhabit the sunny, grassy sloes near Samiti and Lamune. While surveying the grassy slopes above Thangsing at Yangzi, we were shocked to locate a trap laid to snare Blue Sheep. Like other domestic livestock, the blue sheep also love salt. It is this weakness that the hunter has played on. Below a huge boulder, salt had been sprinkled, and the entrance was blocked by a stone wall. A noose was laid at the narrow opening this wall. This trap was dismantled by the team members. Conservation status of the globally endangered Blue Sheep (pseudois nayur) population 0the flag ship species of the high altitude alpine ecosystem, and its habitat along with other high altitude flora, fauna, glaciers and alpine ecosystems has improved over the part year. Thanks are due to the sincere efforts put in by the Forest Department, Tourism Department. The Mountain Institute, Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee, Yambong Ecotourism committee and all the Trekking Agents and their mother concern the Travel Agents Association and their mother concern the Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) and Sikkim Association of Adventure Tours Operator (SAATO). In order to secure that future of the Blue sheep and other value wildlife, regular trap demolition exercises is necessary especially during summer and winter. Sufficient salt should be provided in open spaces to meet the dietary needs of the blue sheep, so that they are not lured by poachers using this as a tool. Support of the villagers, needs be enlisted in the conservation management of the Himal. Such villagers, who are willing, need to the recognized as Himal Rakshaks (Honorary Mountain Guardians) and their empowerment and capacity building done. This will result in a more effective, participatory “on ground” conservation of the Himal jointly with the Forest Department. Though we have succeeded in providing a safe shelter for blue sheep in our Himal, a lot still needs to be done to secure their future. Let us all renew our pledge to protect this wild wealth of Sikkim.
Source : The Mountain Institute Development
Labdang takes conservation and economic initiative, introducesAreylungchok-Dzongri trek
Labdang [West Sikkim], 30 Jan : The villagers here have decided to promote the Areylungchok-Dzongri trek as a community based eco-tourism initiative. This was decided at an integrated meeting covering conservation and tourism, convened by the villagers and involving the panchayats and local NGOs. The Areylungchok Ecotourism Committee [AEC] was also formalized at the meeting to pursue and promote this effort. As a follow up, a recce survey was also conducted, based on which the itinerary and map of the Areylungchok-Dzongri Trek was prepared. This eight-day trek starts from Labdang and passes through Kasturi Urar, Khola Urar and then joins the Yuksam-Dzongri trek at Thangsing. This an existing trek route, already visited by domestic and foreign trekkers, but needs to be given special focus, publicity and promotion in order to attract more tourists, the locals feel. Incidentally, Labdang, the “hidden village,” is located in the western catchment of the Relli river, 16 kms from Tashiding. Located south of the Areylungchok ridge, the village is inhabited by Gurungs who have managed to preserve their unique natural and cultural heritage. The locals are convinced that Labdang presents itself as the ideal Gurung Heritage Village. The main tourist attractions around Labdang include the Nag Dhuga, Shankha Dhunga and Paire Khola falls. The are MLA [Tashiding], the Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, DN Thakapa, who has been the main driving force behind this initiative was appointed chief advisor and patron of the AEC. Mr. Thakarpa also has the vast knowledge about medicinal plants, wildlife and tourism potential of the area, the villagers add. This trek in question falls within the Khangchendzonga National Park in West Sikkim and the highlight of this trek is the rich wildlife one comes across, specially Ghoral, Jharal. (Himalayan Tahr) and Ban Bheda (Blue Sheep) and numerous species of medicinal plants including Sharmaguru, Mykipila, Bikhma, Jatamanshi, Bhutkesh, Pakhanbhed, Dandu and Khokim. Tussock forming grasses like Bhalu buki and sun buki forms large meadows. Availability of other fodder plants like Ganar, Cheeru, Suire, Teeure, Khokim and Dandu further enrich the value of these meadows. The AEC has also decided to adopt conservation regulations on treks as well as sight-seeing incursions. Since Chonrigang is a prone to forest fires, no camping will be allowed in this area, with the Committee deciding to the strict about enforcing all regulation without compromising hospitality. The Committee has also decided to disallow pack-animals on the treks so as to minimize the pressure on the natural resources and has also resolved to allow only one trek at a time. The AEC also plans to give first priority to former-herders, reformed poachers and former medicinal plat collectors as guides, not only because they are need of alternative economic activities, but also because they understand the areas most intimately. “With this new livelihood, hopefully these people will be gainfully employed in the tourism sector, resulting in direct conservation benefits,” states a press release issues by the AEC. More details on the trek and the area are the available on the website: www. Tmiinida.org and enquires can be directed to the email: labdang@tmi-india .org. Interested persons are also invited to call C.B. Gurung, the AEC general secretary, at 09733092826/ 227942 for further details.
Source: Now.
By Sonam Goparma SIA (East). Bardang: Major General K. T. Parniak, General Officer Commanding 17 Mountain division flagged in the White Water Rafting leg of the Eastern Command Multidimensional Expedition-II on its successful completion on 24th January ’06. The rafting leg had commenced on 20th January from Dickchue as an integral part of the adventure activities curriculum of the Kolkata based Eastern Command. The expedition was undertaken in two rafts by 22 members who experienced the thrills of white water rafting amidst the twist and turns of the river by braving the dense fog and winter chill through the journey. While speaking to one of the member of the expedition he said that it was indeed an experience of a life time and the most stimulating and challenging assignment undertaken so far, and wished to undertake such expedition again. Also present on the occasion was Brigadier Rajiv Verma, Commander 17 Mountain Artillery Brigade, other senior army officials, ladies and media persons to encourage and give rousing welcome to the participants.
Source: Sikkim Herald
|
||
