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Click  the text More... for detail news                                                                                                                     2005/2004/2003 News

• Chief Mister’s Europe tour to begin with tourism promotion at ITB, Berlin More..

• National Science Day 2006 More..

• CM Launches State Green Mission More..

• Adventure tourism training begins for Kabi-Tingda youth  More..

• Adventure tourism lessons for Ranka  More..

• Tourism with a difference:  Local lessons for visitors  More..

• West meets to prepare for Green Mission  More..

• Phadamchen youth begin adventure training More..

• Tourists give Orchid displays at Flower Fest two thumbs up More..

• Sikkim leads with sustainable tourism initiatives-unveils 3 environment friendly trekking routes, notifies trekking rules More..

• CM approaches UNESCO requesting World Heritage status for 5 sites in Sikkim. More..

• Minister okays wish list of hoteliersMore.

Chief Mister’s Europe tour to begin with tourism promotion at ITB, Berlin

Gangtok, 03 March: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is all set to embark upon another foreign tour, this time, a study tour to Europe.

                                    Though the tour programme of the CM and hisdelegation, which includes Agriculture, Minister, Somanath paudyal, Tourism & Industries Minister RB Subba, and the respective secretaries of the two departments along with the CM’s Principal Secretary, RS Basnett. Has not yet been confirmed, it is learnt that the Chief Minister will be will be out of the State till the end of the month.  The delegation also includes secreta4ries of UD&HD, Finance, STDL chairpersons among others.  The tour not only envisages buildings cooperation with other countries in tourism promotion but also in the field of urban development.

                                    The tentative schedule informs that the CM will leave for New Delhi on 05 March and from there will leave for Germany on 08 March.  The first stop of the Europe tour is Berlin where the delegation from Sikkim will attend the International Tourism Bourse, which is the biggest international tourism festival.

Sikkim Tourism has acquired a stall at the festival which it will be sharing with a private travel and tour operator from Sikkim.  The Chief Minister will inaugurate the stall.  Apart from visitng other stalls to get an idea of how the West promotes tourism, the CM will also take part in a press conference at the venue on 09 March which is to be addressed by the Union Tourism Minister, Ambika Soni. The Sikkim delegation will be exploring avenues of cooperation for improving infrastructure in urban administration.

                                    The next likely stop is to be Switzerland from 13 March to 17 March Sources inform that the CM had received an invitation from International Cooperation, an aid agency of Switzerland to which the Indo Swiss Project is associated.  The IC has been engaged in various programmes in Sikkim including in Animal Husbandry.  Horticulture, Milk Union and Horticulture since 1993.

                                    It is further learnt that the Chief Minister will also be meeting Swiss authorities and related agencies to discuss matters relating to Tourism as well as Municipal administration.  In Connection with this , the Sikkim delegation will be visiting a  ‘canton,’ as municipalities are called in Switserland, to observe the way it is administered and its infrastructural facilities. The various ropeways and tunnels of the beautiful European country will also be visited.

Thereafter, the CM-led delegation will move on to the Netherlands with the main purpose to see the horticultural and floricultural facilities of the land which is the largest producer of  flowers.

After a couple of days in the Netherlands  the delegation is to visit Italy, France and finally, England.  The programme for the latter countries has not been made available.

Source: Now(Sikkim)
Dated: 04 March 2006.

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NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY 2006

Gangtok 27^th February: A Valedictory function of National Science Day 2006 was observed at the community hall today. Sikkim

 State Council of Science and Technology, Gangtok, supported and catalyzed by Rashtriya Vigyan Evam Pradyogiki Sanchar Parishad, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, organized the function. The theme of the National Science Day 2006 was “Nurture Nature for our future”.

Mr. S.B.Subedi, Minister for Science and Technology was present as the Chief Guest. He said that celebration of National Science Day has become an important event in the calendar of Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology, as it provides a platform for all institutions involved in Science and Technology research and development to showcase their activities and progress accordingly. Exposure of the students to these activities carried out by various Institutions within the State will go a long way in inculcating Scientist temperament amongst the younger generation, he added. “Sikkim Green Mission” is launched in the State Massive plantation design to convert Sikkim into a Green State has been constituted in each constituency.

Dr.J.P.Tamang Microbiologist, lecturer Sikkim Government college was felicitated by the chief guest for being the first North –East to receive National Bio-Technology Award for the year 2004-05 on 27^th February 2005 at New Delhi from the Union Minister Mr.Kapil Sibal.Later, the winners and runners up team of the state level debate and quiz competition were awarded. Namchi Girls Sr Secondary School was the winner of the State level Quiz competition and bagged the winners trophy as well as academic scholarship for one year.Mr.O.P.Singhi Secretary, Sceince and Technology addressed the audience of senior Government officials, teachers and students of various schools from the State highlighting about the importance of National Science Day.

Source:Sikkim Herald,
Dated :March 7, 2006 

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CM Launches State Green Mission

                       Gangtok,February 27:Chief Minister,Dr.Pawan Kumar Chamling who was awarded the greenest Chief Minister of India few years back by the Centre of Science and Environment launched the “State Green Mission” at a meeting with the Heads of Departments held at Chintan Bhawan.T he programme was organized by the Forest ,Environment and Wildlife Management Department.Through this Mission the Stae Government aims to launch a Massive avenue plantation and beautification drive all over the State.It will cover all the roads,government landsand compounds from public places to police stations.The mission is being launched in the State to promote eco tourism and turn the State in a Green Garden State by 2009.

                        The Chief Minister who was also the Chief Guest of the function stressed that this mission should be considered as a movement and everyone from a panchayat to Principal Secretary should work tin coordination to make it successful. For proper implementation of the programme a State level Green Mission committee was formed with the Chief Minister as its chairperson and the Forest Minister as its Vice Chairperson, Chief Secretary, DGP and all the heads of department as Members and Forest Secretary as Member Secretary. Dr.Chamling also stressed that the Green Mission should not only be the Forest Department’s responsibility, the Department will provide technical help and saplings and rest would be up to the individuals and departments to see that the plants that are planted are nurtured properly. “We’ve to work as a cohesive unit and take this mission as personal and prove to the world that such initiatives can be successful” said the Chief Minister. He also informed that the budget of the Green Mission .has already been kept aside and the additional Rs 2 crores added to meet the requirements of effective implementation of the Green Mission.

                        He further informed that Sikkim has a population of about 6 lakh and out of which 1.8 lakh students and 5,000 are police personnels and if each planted a sapling and saw that it was well nurtured, then one can imagine the kind of eco wealth the State would have. He further informed that 11,000 Muster Roll workers who are employed under the Government of Sikkim should work together earnestly by taking this as a personal mission and work seriously towards it success. For effective  and efficient implementation ,constituency level Green Task Force have also been formed which will have MLAs as the chairperson, DC as Member Secretary, the respective DFOs, Joint Directors, Deputy Directors, Divisonal Engineers, DDOs, Panchayat Presidents, NGO and Self help Group representative as Members.  As a further encouragement the Chief Minister announced that best performing constituency would receive a cash award of Rs. 50 lakhs with an added benefit of a confirmed ticket for next election for the concerned  area MLA, while the constituencies coming second and third will be rewarded Rs. 30 lakhs and Rs. 20 lakhs, respectively.  Rewards will not only be limited to MLAs, even government servants who are involved in successful implementation of the mission will be duly rewarded with increments and weightage in promotion, Dr. Chamling informed.   The under performing officials will lose out on these benefits he added.

            The events also witnessed a presentation of letter of appreciation to Range Officer, Mr. RP Sharma for his commendable work in avenue plantation in the state during the year 2005-06.  the meeting which begin with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the chief Guest, Dr. Pawan Chamling and also saw the Minister for Forest,  Mr. S.B. Subedi and Chief Secretary,  Mr. N.D. Chingapa sharing their views about the mission.  A power point presentation on ‘Overview of State Green Mission and its Implementation’ was also made by Mr. S.T. Lachungpa, Additional PCCF, Forest, where he highlighted the aims, objectives, functions of the task force and implementation in three phases 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09.

            The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, Advisors to the government, MLAs, Chairpersons of various institutions, DGP, Heads of the various Departments, DCs and SPs of districts, Zilla Ahdhakshyas, Panchayat Presidents, students, media personnel and host of officials form Forest Department. Mr. T R Poudyal PCCF-Cum-Secretary read out the welcome speech while Mr. Thomas Chandy CCF (T), Principal Coordinator State Green Mission pulled down the curtains with his vote of thanks.

Source:Sikkim Herald
Dated :March 7, 2006

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Adventure tourism training begins for Kabi-Tingda youth

Kabi-Tingda, 06 March: With the aim to equip the youth of the constituency for self –reliance, a 5-day Adventure Awareness Camp was kicked off today at Kabi-Tingda.

            The camp, which will conclude on 10 March, has been organized by the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, and sponsored by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Area MLA, T.T Bhutia, was present as the chief guest for the inaugural function, which was held here at the Community Information Centre here.

            The Chief Guest, in his address, stressed that academic knowledge alone is not enough in the present world and stressed the need for the youth to be more generally aware and vocationally trained if they wanted more economically secure future.

            About the present training, he pointed out the Kabi-Tingda was full of places of historic and religious significance and was ideal for tourism related activities,  but had not been able to capitalize on this asset for want of properly trained locals who could promote and support tourism in the constituency.

            Welcoming the idea of the camp. Mr. Bhutia said this camp would go a long way in grooming the local youth to explore the possibilities of tourism in the area. He said that the SDF government wanted to make the people self-reliant and urged the constituency youth to join in this movement.

            While speaking on the objectives of the camp, Commissioner-cum Secretary,  Sports & Youth Affairs, Lobzang Bhutia, said that last year had been declared as the Youth Revolutionary Year by the State Government and in continuance of the resolve, the year 2006 had been declared the Skill Development Year so that youth could be groomed to benefit from all the opportunities that were now available to them. He added that tourism has been developing well in the state and such camps were aimed at training  the human resource required by this flourishing sector.

            Earlier, Joint Secretary Sports & Youth Affairs. Nima L Ethenpa, in her address informed that the department has successfully conducted such camps elsewhere in the State last year. She urged the participants to learn well from their instructors and put into practice whatever they learn.

            The inaugural function was also attended by Assistant Director of Sports and Youth Affairs department, Doma Tshering Bhutia, local panchayat members, participants and local people.  Total 300 participants from the 19 to 35 age-group will undergo through this training and 30 will be shortlisted for the advance course.

            Experts from Tenzing Norgey Climbing Club of Darjeeling, Suraj Subba and Kunzang Sangay Bhutia, will provide theoretical and practical knowledge on trekking, rope knots, first aid, rock climbing, suspension and traveling traverse, river crossing, tent pitching, equipment using and  other skill of adventure sports to the participants.

            The Joint Secretary further informed that after finishing the training at Kabi-Tingda, the course will move to Ranka on 11 March, then to Phadamchey on 18 March, Rinchenpong on 22 March and finally at Ribdi on 26 March.

            She further informed that the department was also holding adventure seminars for 150 participants at Chakung on 17 and 18 April, at Khechopalri on 20 and 21 April and at Chungthang on 23 and 24 April.  

Source: Now (Sikkim).
Dated: 8^th March 2006.

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Adventure tourism lessons for Ranka

Ranka, 12 March: A five-day Adventure Awareness Camp began on Saturday, 11 March, here to equip the people if Rahka constituency for a future in the tourism sector.

The camp is being organized by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs [SYA]  and sponsored by  Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Commissioner‑cum‑Secreta­ry, SYA: Lobzang Bhutia was present as the chief guest for the inaugural  day of the camp.

A total of 300 participants within  age group 19 to 35 are participating in this camp and from them a total of 30 will be shortlisted for the advance course.

Theoretical and practical knowledge on trekking, rope knots, first aid, ‑rock climb­ing, suspension and traveling traverse, river crossing, tent pitching, equipment using and other skills related to ,adventure sports will be pro­vided by the experts from Tenzing Norgay Climbing Club of Darjeeling, Suraj Subba and Kuniang Sangay Bhutia,'to,the participants.

  The Chief Guest in his ad­dress urged the participants to take advantage of such adven- ture. Awareness camps and displays a better perfbrmanci6. By exhibiting a committed performance, the Chief guest said the people would only be helping themselves in becoming self re­liant as their " would be fur­ther developed. The participants could later make a livelihood &mg their experiences here at the camp, Mr. Bhutia added.

The chief guest also en.‑courage the youth to be competitive and avail of such opportunities as were being provide by the state government jobs had reached there saturation point. He also touched upon the need to preserve the natural resources of the states for the fulfillment of the vision of the CM to make a Sikkim a Green state.

                        In his address, Zilla Panchayat Member,Raju Rai expressed his gratitude to the  department, for holding such a camp at Ranka which he said was a first of its kind.

Earlier, Joint Secretary, SYA. Nima Ethenpa in her welcome address stated that  the vision of the  state government was to  make the people self reliant.

She further informed  the participants  that  the various  skills relating to various adventure sports would be taught by exports at the  and urged them  partake in the  camp with commitment.

The inaugural  function of the camp was also attended  by Assistant Director, SYA,   Doma Tshering Bhutia, staffs  of S YA, local panchayat members, local people  participants from the various parts of Ranka constituency.

Source: Now.
Dated:- 13^th March 2006

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TOURISM WITH A DIFFERENCE

Local lessons for visitors

Darjeeling, March 15: Kate Van Wyck has come here all the way from the US to learn a stitch or two about the sartori­al elegance of India.

If the 20‑something fash­ion designing student of Phoenix College, USA, has been taking lessons from local tailors, her friend have been trying to strike a few notes on sitar or studying life in tea gar­dens or researching on Maoist insurgency ‑ all attempting to discover the exotic East.

These students, tourists and explorers ‑ all rolled into one ‑ have set out on a jour­ney to understand the philoso­phy and tradition of the place. Their excursion underlines a new trend in tourism, where home‑stays, language classes and understanding local is­sues is being looked upon as marketable commodities.

"I would not say many peo­ple back home know about su­ch tours, but it's becoming po­pular gradually," said Chris Nation from Philadelphia. The students, numbering aro­und 10, have either just fini­shed high school or are in uni­versities. "I chose to come to this part of the world as the culture here is completely op­posite from where we come'

said Quincy Robinson. Where There Be Dragons, which is conducting the tour, organise similar expeditions to China, Vietnam, and a host of other countries.

The group has been in the hill town over the past few weeks, putting up at homes of people here. Making friends with people around seems to be of more interest to them than watching sunrise over the Tiger Hill. "We have made more friends here than we ha­ve done over the past 17‑18 yea­rs back home," one of them said. "We will now go on a trek to Sikkim and might also go to either Ladhak or Tibet," said Ryan Yoder, the leader‑cum-­teacher of the group.

Source: The Telegraph
Dated: 16 March 2006.

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West meets to prepare for Green Mission

Geyzing, 16 March:  A meeting of the Green Task Force for the constituencies of West Sikkim constituted for implementing the State Green Mission was held here at Geyzing Community Hall today under the chairmanship of the Forest Minister, SB Subedi, who also happens to be the Geyzing MLA.

          The main agenda of the meeting was the constitution of sub-committees for the implementation of Green mission at constituency, level: identification of roads and public premises, including government establishments, for avenue and aesthetic plantation and priority of each in a phase-wise manner; finalization of dates for meeting and field inspection.

            Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Subedi said that the Mission launched by the Chief Minister on 27 February 2006 would include avenue plantation drives all over the State and would be completed by the year 2009.

            He said that every individual should lend support towards  this Mission and ensure its success. He also appraised the gathering of the Chief Minster’s announcement of a Rs. 50 lakh reward for the best performing constituency.

            Mr. Subedi also directed the officials to submit reports on preliminary findings including plantation areas, size of area covered, future prospects etc. to his department which would accordingly make arrangements for the project.

            The District Collector [W], D Anandan, who is the member secretary of the committee, invited the gathering to come up with suggestions, ideas and proposals on how, where and what type of plants were to be planted.

            T. R. Poudyal, PCCF-cum-Secretary, Forest Department informed that his department would supply saplings, manure and provide technical support for the mission.

            DFO [T], West Bijendra Swroop said that a nodal officer for each constituency had been deployed by the department to look after the requirement of saplings utilize the existing labour to the locations an make sure that the implantations of the project has been done in the right place. The meeting was also addressed by MLA, RB Subba, Zilla Adhyaksha, RM Rai and Additional Chief Engineer (R&B), TB Rajalim.

Source: Now
Dated: 17 March 2006

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Phadamchen youth begin adventure training. 

PHADAMCMEN, 16 March: On the heels of its successful completion at Kabi  and Ranka, the Adventure Awareness  Camp began for the  people of in  and around Padamchen yesterday.

The camp, sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is being, organized by the Department  of Sports and Youth Affairs [SYA]  Area MLA Deputy ­Speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Mingma Tshering  Sherpa, was the chief‑guest at the inagural function of the camp.

In his inaugural address, he said such a camp, apart from preparing the locals to handle tourist requirements, would also make the participants mentally alert during times of natural calamities. He added that if taken seriously, one could also‑pursue this line as a profession and urged the participants to take inspiration, from Sikkim's sporting stars like Baichung Bhutia, Jaslal Pradhan and Chungda Bhutia and attend the course with commitment.

Chairperson of Forest and Land Use, cc Sangderpa,  in her address, said that such camps provided an opportu­nity to the participants to hone their skills and talents. She further said that the Chief Minister had a vision to make its youth self reliant for which she urged the youth ­for their cooperation.Zilla Panchayat Member, Menuka Bhutia in her ad­dress stressed on the maintenance of Discipline camp

            Panchayat Secretary of the area, KT Sherpa expressed his gratitude to the department for choosing their area to hold such a camp and said that their area had plenty of tourism spots along with natural resources: such camps, he said would definitely help in the development of the constituency.                                         

Earlier in her welcome address, Joint Secretary SYA, Nima L Ethenpa informed that, the department was organizing the camp in the area to create awareness in adventure sports and its development in the area.  Furthermore, she said, it also served to keep the youth from drugs and other morbid activities.

A total of 300 participants within the age group of 19 td 35 years in and around  Phadamchen are participating in the camp: from this 30 will be short listed for the advance camp.

Suran Subba and Kunzang Sangay Bhuta, the experts from Tenzing Norgay Climbing Club of Darjeeling, will be providing theoretical and practical training on trekking, rope knots, first aid, rock climbing, suspension and traveling traverse, river crossing, tent pitching, equipment using and other skills of adventure sports to the participants.

While talking to the ex­perts, it was informed that the participants of both the camps at       Kabi and Ranka were very interested and enthusiastic and had attended the camp with keen interest with their interest increasing as the camp‑progressed; there were  demands to extend the period of the camp, they informed.It is leant that the Minis­try of Youth Affairs and Sports has a cell of adventure sports, which covers the all land, air and water sports.After Phadamchen, the camp, will move on to ­Dentam, then to Rinchenpong and finally to Ribdi.

Source: Now(Sikkim)
Dated: 17^th March 2006

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Tourists give Orchid displays at Flower Fest two thumbs up

Gangtok, 20 March: Various varieties of Cymbidium Hybrids are the show-stoppers  for the visitors here, at the Flower Festival at white hall. The tourist season has begun in full swing and loads of tourists are thronging here to get a sense of what the Gangtok Flower festival is all about.“I  have been coming here for the past two years and this year’s display is the best,": .said Sunil Kumar from Hyderabad who is also an orchid enthusiast.

Orchids are the highlight  at the Flower Feftival at Present.

“This year, Sikkim has lived up to its name as the land of the  Orchids," Sunil, added.

And why shouldn't it. This year, the Flower Festival in­cludes the Bishnu Maya Rai Orchid Award which carried  a cash pride of Rs. 1 lakh the highest in the Country.

    There are still those who would have preferred more variety.     

    Renuka Manjrekar of Mumbai is not an orchid enthusiast but like flowers in general. “This surely is a beauty to behold, but I would have been more excited if there was more variety on display.  I love roses and I would have liked to experience the beauty of the rose here,” says Renuka.

    But she is not disappointed.  She was photographs vigorously and who knows, the grand display at White Hall may actually have succeeded in converting a rose-lover into an Orchid enthusiast by evening.

    Interestingly, most of the tourists that NOW! came across at the venue today were repeat visitors.  Thankfully, there was more on offer for them this year.  The focus on only one species of plant has ensured an intense introduction to Orchids and the green house has been extended to make the whole display area more spacious and less cramped.

            “This is one big party seeing all these plants in bloom and all in one season is a dream for a person like me. I have been coming to Sikkim. Visiting and looking at various areas that have these ornamental plants.  This is a great opportunity to experience everything at once,” said a scientist from a renowned university who did not want to be named.  He however added:  “This was an easy access to many varieties.  All nurseries an even the various parts in the woods would not have these many beautiful lowers at bloom.  It is also easier for me to complete part of my research sitting here.

            The Flower Festival is not just about viewing, it is also about sales as many of the prize-winning plants can be booked now and collected after the festival concludes.  There are also two stalls put up here, which sell different varieties of plants.

            The floral display also commanded a strong attraction of honeymoon couples, many of whom were striking poses surrounded by Orchid bloom to add to their wedding album collection.  And then there were complete families of moms and dads directing their kids on how to click photographs properly as they posed on the benches.

            For the repeat visitors to Sikkim, the complex was also a good place to learn of destinations they could explore next.

            “I have done the usual beat of Nathula. Tsomgo and Baba Mandir.  This year, I want  to explore other areas, this is the hidden land after all.  The Hee-Bermiok brochures I collected here look promising.  I am debating between Pelling recommended by my friends and the promise. Let’s see,” said Ravi Tapan from Kolkata who believes that Sikkim is on its verge of becoming one of the biggest tourism destinations in the region and wants to complete his Sikkim darshan before crass commercialization takes over.

Source: Now.(Sikkim)
Dated: 21 March 2006

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Sikkim leads with sustainable tourism initiatives-unveils 3 environment friendly trekking routes, notifies trekking rules:

The Mountain Institute

shares details on the

new, more responsible

direction that trekking

is taking in Sikkim……

             Conservation of natural recourses and promotion of sustainable ecotourism have been identified as thrust areas. With an objective to promote sustainable, community based ecotourism, with minimum negative impacts and provide incentives to the local community from conservation ,the Forest Department has notified Singalila ecotourism promotion Zone in West Sikkim district. This zone comprises of 4 approved treks and 27 designated coming sites. Existing nature trails and camping sites have been preferred. Three new round of trekking trails namely; Everest-Singalila, Yambong-Singalila and Areylungchok Dzongri have been approved and are being promoted. This will ensure that wildlife sensitive habitats of Musk Deer(kasturi),Blue Sheep(ban bheda),Himalayan Tahr (jharal)and medicinal plants are not disturbed, biopiracy is reduced and also tourists do not get lost. Camping right on the bank of high altitude lakes and in areas of critical conservation importance is to be discontinued.

            This will help in promoting new livelihood opportunities in remote areas of Sikkim and provide income opportunities for local villagers from conserving their forests and wildlife. They can now get additional seasonal income by providing service as home-stay operators, cooks, guides, porters etc. Their farm produce will also now find a ready market in this tourism enterprise. The following treks will be operational within Khanchenzonga National Park. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary and adjoining Reserve Forest in West Sikkim with adequate safeguards for which trekking regulations have also been framed. Though most of the trekking companies have adopted an ecotourism “code of conduct”, environment has still been negatively impacted. A regulation was needed to foster a more responsible tourism, making it binding on all the trekkers and travel agents to follow eco-friendly practices. Accordingly, the Forest Department came up with the novel idea of preparing these trekking tourism regulations for the state with an intention of promoting quality tourism based on the principal of sustainability. The Mountain Institute, Sikkim and Indo-Swiss Project Sikkim and the World Wide Fund for Nature India provide technical support to the Forest Department in the preparation of these regulations. Accordingly the Sikkim Wildlife regulation of trekking rules 2005 have been notified.

            As per these regulations, the responsibility towards ensuring eco-friendly trekking tourism has been given to the trek manager who organizes the trek. The trek manager has been defined as the trekking company that has organized the trek, or in its absence the group leader of the trekking party or in the absence of both of these the trekker himself.         

        The salient features of these eco-friendly trekking regulations are:

1. The trek manager will now have to provide adequate cooked food not only for the tourists but also the trekking service providers like the cooks, guides, etc. they should be provide with L.P.G, kerosene etc as these will ensure that they will not use firewood which will help in the preservation of beautiful Juniper and Rhododendron forest of the state.

2. The trek manager has to bring back all the non- biodegradable waste including paper while trekking and also register the same at the forest or wildlife check post before and after the trek. This will ensure that the camping sites are clean and garbage free.

3. While trekking, the trek manager should hire local trekking service providers. This will ensure that the local people get maximum benefits out of the tourism industry.

4.The trek managers should ensure that all the visitors and the trekking service providers trek in the designated nature trails and camp in designated camping sites.

5. Selling liquor, drugs or other intoxicating substances while trekking in wildlife areas is now a punishable offence.

6.The pack animal like the horses, yaks etc operators have to arrange for fodder for the pack animals while trekking and free grazing is banned.

            Other than forest officers, the Eco-development committees (EDC),joint Forest Management Committees(JFMC),Registered Non Governmental organizations(NGOs)and the trekking service providers shall be authorized to detect offences and inform the nearest Forest or wildlife office. The regulations also outline rewards to the person who detects these offences and brings it to the notice of the forest department. The policy also has teeth and fines have also been laid down for persons or companies who break these rules. The full text of these new trekking tourism regulations can be downloaded from the internet at www.tmi-india.org

                        With the implementation of this initiative, Sikkim which is the leader in ecotourism in the region, also becomes the first state in the country to have specific trekking tourism regulations. The Forest Department requests the support of the Tourism Department, travel agents and other service providers in this sector endeavour, to make.  Sikkim into an ultimate tourism destination.  

 Source: Now
Dated: 22 March 06

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CM approaches UNESCO requesting World Heritage status for 5 sites in Sikkim.

Gangtok, 23 March:  Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has approached the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Orgnization [UNESCO] with a request to secure protection for five historically and culturally important centers in Sikkim as heritage sites.

     The Chief Minister called on the Grancisco bandarin,  Director, World Heritage Centre under UNESCO, at his office at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 21 March.  Mr. Chamling was accompanied by Agriculture Minister Somnath Poudyal, his Economic Advisor, Prof. MP Lama, Principal Secretary [Finance],TT Dorji and Principal Secretary to the CM, RS Basnet.

     The purpose of the visit, a press release issued by the Principal Secretary to the CM informs, was to “secure protection of interest of heritage in Sikkim by UNESCO which would come through Government of India.”

     The five centers proposed by the Chief Minister for recognition as heritage sites are Dubdi Monastery, the oldest monastery in Sikkim build in 1643; Khecheopalri lake, where technical support was requested to stem the shrinking; Nathula Trade Museum, for protection and conservation of all old documents connected with the old silk route; Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, which already houses a sizeable inventory of old documents and artifacts, for enhancement of facilities; and Namchi Secondary School, one of the oldest schools in Sikkim which UNESCO could consider for necessary improvement.

     Arguments in support of the five centers were also forwarded by the Chief Economic Advisor and Secretaries  of Finance, Tourism and CMO, the release informs.

     The UNESCO Director, after his briefing on Sikkim’s requested said that the State deserved inclusion of its sites under world heritage sites as UNESCO did not have any such listed form Sikkim.

     Mr. Bandarin also assured of professional help to protect the listed sties an added that a local legislation would be required before UNESCO support could be extended to help with site management.

     The Director further suggested that the delegation meet Mrs. Minja Yang in New Delhi fornecesary guidance on how to process their request.

Source: Now.
Dated: 24^th March 2006.

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Minister okays wish list of hoteliers

 VADODARA: A windfall of sops for tour operators and hoteliers, a mega budget allocation for tourism related projects worth Rs 1,000 crore set the mood for 'Unlocking Gujarat's Potential' as a tourist destination at the central Gujarat zonal annual day of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in Vadodara on Saturday.

Various stakeholders of tourism industry - tour operators, travel agents, representatives from the local government, hoteliers, officials of the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited -participated in the meet.

On the occasion, Gujarat tourism minister CD Patel, who was the chief guest, announced new taxation policy as applicable to tour operators and travel agents. "We will charge RTO tax only on number of tour days.

While the seven-day entry tax to outside tourist vehicles will be made flexible - charges on per-day basis," said the minister amidst a cheering crowd.

"Earlier, we had to pay an entire month's tax (RTO tax) of Rs 18,000 even if we had only a five-day tour. By introducing entry tax on per-day basis, we can hope that governments of the neighbouring states will reciprocate the gesture," said president of Baroda Tours and Travels Association Ismail Gandhi.

He was, however, disappointed over the government continuing to charge tax based on seat capacity of the bus (on the lines of entertainment tax in theatres) instead of actual occupancy.

The state government has earmarked projects worth Rs 1,000 crore to boost tourism in the state, which will be borne by various departments like roads and buildings, tourism, forest and water supply.

"We have earmarked Rs 160 crore for road connectivity and linking of all pilgrimage centres, Rs 100 crore for promotion of tourism, Rs 100 crore to fund water supply to all tourist places, Rs 27 crore for ecotourism development and another Rs 60 crore will be invested on district destination development," Patel said.

City-based hotelier and convenor of tourism and hospitality task force Ashwin Gandhi said, "The government has promised reduction of electricity duty, but has kept the issue of separating out hotels from restaurants under consideration.

We hope that the luxury tax will be fixed at a flat rate of five per cent up to Rs 2,000 and eight per cent up to Rs 8,000 and be made quarterly as promised. However, we are happy to be rid of filing tax returns every month.

Another good news is that the government is planning to attract private parties to develop hotels at tourist places by offering sops on electricity, stamp duty and luxury tax."

The Tourism Promotion Council headed by Chief Minister Narendra Modi has big plans in the near future, said the minister.

"The CM will hold meetings across the 25 districts to evolve a blueprint for each district and set up district level Pravasan Mahiti Kendras and TCGL information centres in 14 cities across India.

Local government will be roped in for removal of encroachment, widening of roads and building Sulabh shouchalay (toilets)," Patel added.

 Source: TIMES NEWS NETWORK
 Dated: Sunday, March 26, 2006

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