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Click the text More... for detail news 2005/2004/2003 News
- Musings on Sikkim's Tourism potential, Strategy and muddles. Massive tourism-related works are underway Sikkim ... More...
- Chamling calls for the collective partnership in nature conservation, announces Eco Clubs for schools: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has called for collective partnership in nature conservation... More.
- SAP camp –Gangtok’s Varsey in the making Sikkim Armed Police gave World Environment Day a different feel today.. More.
- CM announces Eco-cash Awards to make eco sensitivity competitive: Commitment and consciousness about ones responsibility towards the environment.... More.
- GB Pant Institute observes Environmental Day with awareness and eco tips: The Sikkim cell of the GB Pant Institute of Himalayan environment & Development observed world environmental Day More.
- Dentam orients towards eco, village and adventure tourism. A five day orientation programme on Eco-tourism Village Tourism and Adventure Tourism.... More.
- Tourism shines through wet months: The Tourism Department is gearing up to promote Monsoon Tourism in Sikkim..... More.
- Eco-friendly Black Cats:
The Black Cat Division of the Army stationed here conducted an
adventure camp for children.....
More.
MUSINGS ON SIKKIM’S TOURISM POTENTIAL, STRATEGY AND MUDDLES.
Massive tourism-related works are underway all over Sikkim. Politicians are working hard and so are the bureaucrats. Even the villages are getting petty contract works building a cafeteria in their own plot, a watchtower in the wilderness, a viewpoint atop a hill, a trek route with iron railings on both sides and so on. Histories of places are being researched somewhere: higher waterfalls are being spotted and lakes being created elsewhere-the list goes on.
This development seeping into villages will cheer many a heart, particularly the contractors. They call it “village tourism”. Actually, village tourism on eco-tourism as a theoretical subject seems to be an easier subject in practice in the pristine settings of Sikkim.
How did Dzongri-Goecha-la trek prosper? How did it turn to be one of the busiest treks I the eastern Himalaya? Is it because of the tensions in Nepal? Tensions in Nepal might be one reason given Nepal’s excellent treks. But more than this, I think it is because of an easy route coupled with stone, mud and because of fallen rhododendron stems, completely far away from artificiality. Even the rivers have log bridges and tourist huts are all made of wood and stone. No foreign materials are used here.
I find a trek route with iron or pipe railings on both sides moronic, a complete waste of not only finances, but also the environment, not to speak of the torture for the porters or animals in their abode. Remember, trekkers are always equipped with their own trekking gear and so are the travel companies. Stick to Dzongri style. A modern-day tourist doesn’t pay attention to mere writing on yellow boards nor do they need any “railings” to trek.
In another muddle in village, what I can perceive is that the villages of Sikkim as it is, with ethnic dwellings in sync with its culinary delights, dress, ornaments and social events, which needs some support attracts visitors rather that a few concrete construction. For instance, a hot steaming Solja from a Bhutia house with Chadung Basyu or Sel Roti and Dahi Chura with an array of pickles and of course Sikkim’s famed Chhang in a bucolic setting is a better choice for tourists than coffee or cola from a nearby cafeteria.
However, one would breathe a sigh of relief on seeing large scale plantations being undertaken this season. One only hopes the saplings grow healthy. Trees and forests are the back bone of the tourist industry and dutiful citizens should plant a sapling and care for it. Lachen and Lachung might be the most picturesque villages in Sikkim [as described by English naturalist, Josheph Hooker] and Guru Dongmar Lake the most beautiful and the largest, but today as you wind your way towards Thangu, your vehicle will tumble upon landslides on every turn-the result of deforestation. Sample another muddle here.
Like puzzled tourists, I am always puzzled at the spelling of Sikkim’s much favoured Lake, the Tsom-go Lake.
Most of them are already familiar with either Tsangu or Changu or even Tshongu. Upon reaching the gateway of Sikkim, Rangpo, it spells out Tsomgo, which is altogether a different destination for them. They say they want to go to Changu and not Tsom-go.
Sikkim tourism brochures are a mish-mash of Tsom-go, Tso-go and Tsanghu, as compared with the already acclaimed Changu and the likes amongst the so called travel agencies.
Dr. Gopal Pradhan was right when he asked me to enlighten the ‘self-made name keepers” of Sikkim. Look at the spelling of Yangang corrupted with a senseless yangyang with the alphabet “y” suddenly added, which actually makes a mess of its meaning. A senior scientist with the state forest department, Dr. Pradhan wonders what might happen in future. Well, the situation becomes dimmer when we point out “la” missed out in Rabong discovered, which actually should be Rabong – la Discovered. I suppose “la” has extra meaning in selling a destination like Rabong-la. And for haven’s sake please do not say the Nathu-la ‘Pass’, its redundant, La itself means Pass.
At this instance, there may be some people who may find this
topic of names both redundant and ridiculous. But it is always wise to study
the basics first because in the end of the day a guide or tour leaders need
to deal with the ‘inquisitive no-nonsense globe-trotters” with the tales
wound around the basics of the region. I think the government, travel
agencies and the people need to pay attention to all these trivial things,
which would in the long run somehow weaken the state’s tourism.
Source: Now
Dated: 1st June, 2006.
Chamling calls for the collective partnership
in nature conservation, announces
Eco Clubs for schools
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has called for collective partnership in nature conservation to ensure that all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future and has urged individuals and public at large to take up the environmental challenge with greater determination. The Chief Minister made the appeal in his address for Sikkim on the eve of World Environment Day 2006 which which will be observed all over the State on 05 June.
He said that Sikkim and its people were the “True custodians of Himalayan ecosystem” and adds that this puts it under a “sacred obligation “ to act more responsibly while addressing the environmental issue in the country and elsewhere.
Elaborating on the recent launch of State Green Mission, Mr Chamling explained that the basic idea behind the Mission was to preserve Sikkim’s greenery and “bequeath to the future generations, a state full of greenery, beauty, resources and overall contentment.”
In this regard, he appealed to all government agencies, institutes, NGOs, academic institutions ad private sectors to ‘plant beautiful trees to make their campus clean green and beautiful.’
The main attraction of this year’s initiative on the occasion would be the promotion of ‘Eco Clubs’ in all the schools above the VI standard in the same state, in order to promote ‘green schools’ starting this year. Solid Waste Management Awareness through schools and NGOs would Chamling informs in his address.
The theme for this year’s World Environment Day is ‘Don’t Desert Dry Lands!’
This, the Chief Minister feels, will highly complement his government’s objective at the local level to go for mass plantation without leaving any barren land in the State.
The Chief Minister’s World Environment Day address also focuses on the unique participatory policy empowering the people, prepared for the protection of high altitudes under which local residents will be recognized as Honorary Himal Rakshaks to work jointly with the Forest Department to protect the mountain eco-systems.
In his address, the Chief Minister also speaks on the achievements of his government in the field of environment since coming to power in 1994. “Since the establishment of the SDF Government in 1994, the Government has launched many innovative projects like the Harit Kranti year with provision for matching fund like the Green Fund, and over the last few years, it has widely promoted the concept of Smriti Van, as a novel conservation measure involving society at large in nature conservation,”c he records.
This year, the main World Environment Day observance has been scheduled for Namchi where the Chief Minister is expected to be present as the chief guest.
Source: Now
Dated: 4th June, 2006.
SAP camp –Gangtok’s Varsey in the making
Pangthang, 5 June: Sikkim Armed Police gave World Environment Day a different feel today as its personnel undertook an extensive plantation drive in and around Pangthang planting exclusively Rhododendron saplings. In a couple of years, a visitor to the SAP camp in Spring will be greeted with an explosion of red in the domain of Khaki. If the SAP personnel deliver, Gangtok will have a veritable Varsey incidentally is a Rhododendron Sanctuary in West Sikkim.
Pangthang’s Varsey aspirations came closer to realization today as the SAP personnel, led by their Commanding Officer GK Verma and other senior officials planted 151 saplings of about 8 protected and endangered species of rhododendron around the campus.
“It was the Chief Minister who suggested that we develop the area as a Rhododendron paradise. He had noticed that the climate and weather here was suitable for such an exercise and since then onwards, we have been concentrating on plantation and development of the whole area as herbal and floral garden. This shall also contribute a lot to the State Green Mission,” the SAPCO told NOW! today.
The entire plantation drive is being carried out by the jawans and officers themselves. The SAP Commandant informed further that the saplings are being provided by the Department of Forests and the GB Pant Institute of Himalayan and Environmental Development. Also present today were representatives from the Institute who advised on the correct plantation methods.
But is not just Rhododendron that have worked for the SAP camp: an experiment with Bananas has also gone well. A Banana plantation in a select area has worked miracles for a water conservation experiment at the camp. In fact, water retrieved and conserved thanks to this Banana grove is now being channeled to provide for the Rhododendron plantation drive.
Amongst varieties of herds planted today in the herbal gardens were
‘Bhui Champa’ a herb that has qualities to cure
cancer, ‘Himalayan Cobra Lilly’ a medicinal plant that can
only be found above an altitude of 7000 feet, ‘Bhuri-Okhati’ a
herb used by locals to ease pregnancy related complications and stomach
problems, ‘Ching-Phing’ a herb used to treat gastro ailments,
‘Yew’ a medicinal herb used to treat cold and coughs, ‘Keshori’
and ‘Rokful’ etc.
Source: Now
Dated: 5th June, 2006.
CM announces Eco-cash Awards to make eco sensitivity competitive
Namchi, 05 June:
Commitment and consciousness about ones responsibility towards the environment could now prove to also be a monetarily rewarding experience in Sikkim. Addressing the audience at the state-level World Environment Day observance at the Community Hall here today, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling announced that from the forthcoming year onwards, the State Government will institute an award that will recognize environmental consciousness among the students and the citizens and reward contributions which enhance this awakening among the people.
The award, Mr Chamling announced, will be handed out at the district and state level to students who write and work for the preservation of the State’s environment. A handsome State Award of Rs. 1lakh will go to the best such contribution in the open category, he added.
Speaking on the concept of Eco-clubs that he has proposed to be set up in schools all over the State, Mr. Chamling said that the idea behind these clubs was not only to make the students more environmentally informed, but also to inspire them to become competitive in how much they do to preserve the ecology here.
“Sikkim belongs to the future generation. If they are more informed and connected with the local environment, they will care for it that much more”, he said.
Reminding the students that such initiatives will only inform them about their surroundings, he added that what the students did with this information was up to them. Here he added that although it is accepted that information is power, real power came from how the information was utilized.
“I hope the younger generation will use this empowerment well”, he said.
Highlighting that the ignorance of the recent past had led to the smuggling out of herbs and medicinal bio-wealth of Sikkim because the people had stopped recognizing their real value, the Chief Minister today enumerated the plants that have been smuggled into international markets from Sikkim’s forests. With more awareness among the people this natural reserve will also be better protected, he observed.
Speaking on the ongoing State Green Mission announced that the results and performance plantation drives will be evaluated after three years and shared with the people. The top-three best performing constituencies will then receive cash prizes of Rs. 50 lakhs, Rs. 30 lakhs and Rs. 20 lakhs, he announced.
The CM reminded that his government had always implemented environment friendly policies even when they appeared politically problematic and urged that since Sikkim had a fragile ecosystem, conservation efforts, even when they appeared strict, be supported because that is what the land demanded.
He also urged that the grass roots representatives understood the requirements of the environment better and implemented the State Government’s results and performance in their true spirit. In this connection he highlighted the concept of Smriti Vans floated by his government and observed that some panchayats had performed poorly in this regard and had tried to hoodlink the people and the government by planting Smriti Van signboards in already demarcated forest areas.
The gathering was also addressed by the Forest Minister SB Subedi and the Forest Secretary TR Poudyal who shed some light on this year’s theme for World Environment Day. “Do not desert dry land”.
The Forest Department also felicitated retired DFO SM Rai of Rinchenpong with a felicitation letter and a shawl from the Chief Minister. Under the project of Eco-club the Chief Minister handed over a cheque of Rs. 2500 to nine schools of South Sikkim. Eventually, some 540 schools in Sikkim will be provided these grants to set up Eco-Clubs.
Winners of the essay and drawing competitions were announced and awarded today and identity cards handed over to the Himal Rakshaks. A book on Environment Studies was also released by the Chief Minister today.
Also present
for the programme were Mrs. Tika Maya Chamling, Speaker SLA, DN Thakarpa,
Rajya Sabha MP OT Lepcha, Ministers Somnath Poudyal, KN Rai, Kalawati Subba,
GM Gurung, MLAs, CB Karki, GC Rai and AS Baraily and the Departmental
officials of South and East Sikkim.
Source: Now
Dated:6th June, 2006.
GB Pant Institute observes Environmental Day with awareness and eco tips
Gangtok, 05 June: the Sikkim cell of the GB Pant Institute of Himalayan environment & Development observed world environmental Day here at its Pangthang campus with a huge participation of around 100 people including unit staff, locals and especially 50 officers and jawans of Sikkim Armed police.
Dr. HK Badola, Scientist-in-Charge of the Institute, kicked off the day’s programme which included a demonstration of planting technologies in the Aroboretum unit of the premises.
The Institute also demonstrated saplings developed in the Institute nursery belonging to the native multipurpose tree species. The low-cost of bio-globule, bio-composting, poly-pits, poly-tunnels, cardamom curing kiln, sloping agriculture land technology [SALT], bamboo propagation technology and water harvesting tank [WHT] wee also explained with live demonstration to the participants.
The nursery technology to develop mass-multiplication of seedlings of various, rare, endangered and medicinal plants and bamboo through seed, stem cutting, air layering and participants were also educated about the value addition in the present agricultural practices in the area through introducing the aromatic and medicinal plants.
The programme ended with the participants sharing their views
on the experience gained during exposure training followed by vote of thanks
proposed by the Dr. KK Singh, Senor Scientist of the unit, informs a press
release issued by the Institute.
Source: Now.
Dated: 06 June 2006.
Dentam orients towards eco, village and adventure tourism.
Uttrarey, 21 June: A five day orientation programme on Eco-tourism Village Tourism and Adventure Tourism concluded here at Gumpa Dara on 19 June. The programme, was organized by the Uttarey Tourism Development and Service Cooperative Society Limited. Dentam area MLA Deepak Kumar Gurung attended the inaugural ceremony on 15 June as the chief guest.
In his address, Mr. Gurung appreciated the progress of the society and for organizing such orientation programme for the educated youth of the area and expressed hope that the programme would help efforts at self-reliance. A total 150 educated unemployed youth of Dentam constituency participated in the orientation programme.
Lectures and practical sessions on eco village tourism, adventure tourism, trekking and other adventure sports were conducted by experts form various departments and associations.
A trek
in the area was also undertaken during the training and saw the trekking
team planted more than 100 flowering plants at Dhap on the concluding day of
the programme.
Source: Now.
Dated: 22/06/2006.
Tourism shines through wet months:
The Tourism Department is gearing up to promote Monsoon Tourism in Sikkim. This venture, the Department feels, will maintain a continuity and carry forward the momentum generated by the already popular summer season.
The ambition to popularize the Monsoon Tourism might not be as misplaced as it appears because the summer tourist season is also already a month longer that it used to be some years ago.
Commissioner cum Secretary Sikkim Tourism AK Shrivastava, while speaking to NOW! Informed that he was trying to promote Sikkim as an all season destination and a Monsoon Season helped bridge the gap over the already established Summer and Autumn rush.
At present, a strategy to promote Monsoon Tourist Season in Sikkim is being fine tuned and is likely to include such inducements as handsome rebates at hotels and special events with the rains in mind.
Mr.Shrivastava informs that tourists visiting Sikkim at other times are already being informed of the advantages of undertaking a monsoon visit and exclusive advertisements promoting this season would follow soon in popular magazines like India Today’s Travel Plus, Gol’s Incredible India, Jet Wings, India R You and in local and regional papers.
The most exotic monsoon destinations in Sikkim are Nathula and Tsonmgo Lake [East Sikkim], Hee Village and Pelling, Ravangla in West Sikkim and Samdruptse in South Sikkim.
On the special
incentives, the Secretary mentioned that 30% discounts in Government-run
hotels have already been put in place and that the Department was already in
touch with private hoteliers to offer similar rebates, specially targeting
honeymooners so that a uniform publicity drive could be launched.
Source: Now
Dated: 23rd June, 2006.
The Black Cat Division of the Army stationed here conducted an adventure camp for children on 23 and 24 June. The main objective of the camp was to foster a spirit of adventure and educate the youngsters on flora and fauna, informs a press release. The camp was conducted at Bulbulay Zoo and at Kalo Biralu Environmental Park and Training Area [KBEPTA].
It is also informed that the children were exposed to the biodiversity of Sikkim through treks.
Source: Now
Dated: 25th June, 2006.