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2005/2004/2003
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Ecotourism home stay training at Namprikdang: A three-day training on Sikkim Himalayas Homestays..... More..
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Chhattisgarh to become eco-tourism hub: Chhattisgarh will soon open herbal shops offering medicinal facilities More..
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Sikkim GREEN MISSION: Is yet another product of Hon’ble Chief Minister’s green policy imagination More..
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How the west shall win: By 2010, ten lakh tourists shall be exploring Sikkim More..
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Hee Gaon to host heritage tourism festival : A tourism festival focusing on heritage tourism........ More..
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Green Mission reaches Rhenock: A plantation drive was undertaken at Rorathang bridge area More..
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Pelling-Rimbi stretch receive State Green Mission :A massive plantation drive under the State Green Mission More..
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A Night at DECHENPHU- the Cave of Great Happiness: The 4 holy caves of Sikkim More..
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Guidelines for Green Taxis in Sikkim.: Green Taxis initiative has been taken to reduce the garbage disposal along roads More..
Ecotourism home stay training at Namprikdang.
Mangan, 30 April: A three-day training on Sikkim Himalayas Homestays was provided to the youth of Dzongu and Pastenga-East in the filed of Ecotourism by the Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim [ECOSS], Gangtok. The training was held from 24 to 26 April at Namprikdang Guest House.
The training was conducted by Rennin Lepta, Educative Secretary cum international resource person, ECOSS, Tuned of KCC, and Pradesh Scuba of Keep, Peter Lepta, Christina and Tina of ECOSS and of MLAS, Dozing.
The participants were educated on various concepts concerning home stays on tourism development and also to advocate for appropriate policies regarding ecotourism, capacity building for ecotourism entrepreneurs and community based institutions etc.
The SDM, PW Lepta was the chief guest for the valedictory session during which certificates, visitor’s books and tourist guide maps of north Sikkim were distributed to the trainees by the chief guest.
During his address the chief guest urged the trainees they could make a good income from home stays in the filed of ecotourism and gave the example of Leah where he said the people were doing well because of it. He also said that the Manson Festival this year could be conduced ion a traditional way with traditional handicrafts and food festival.
The president, MLAS NGO printed out that it was necessary for the locals to know the meaning of names of various places as designated by their ancestors. Talking on the need to preserve culture and tradition he also pointed out that the practices of Mums and Bonging also needed to be preserved.
Source: Now
Dated: 1st May 2006.
Chhattisgarh to become eco-tourism hub
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2006
Raipur - Chhattisgarh will soon open herbal shops offering medicinal facilities at over 35 tourist sites and rest houses in a bid to become a hub of eco-tourism.
‘Foreign and domestic tourists visiting Chhattisgarh’s 35 natural and religious tourists sites will get herbal medicinal facilities,’ Tourism Minister Brijmohan Agrawal told IANS.
He said the state would set up a 25-acre herbal and medicinal park in the Kurud area of Dhamtari district, near Raipur, to supply products to these herbal shops.
The minister also added that the government was focusing on creating world-class infrastructure facilities in and around tourist sites.
‘Private firms have flooded the government with proposals to bring in over Rs. 400 billion in the tourism sector,’ he said.
According to him, a majority of the proposals are for eco-tourism and infrastructure development, apart from the construction of over 100 hotels and motels on roads connecting popular tourist sites.
Among the tourist attractions in Chhattisgarh are the Indravati river fall in Bastar, the Kanger valley national park, and the Buddhist religious centre in Sirpur, Mahasamund district.
The state is also known for caves and rocks, which are centuries old.
Chhattisgarh is one of the richest bio-diversity zones of the country with 44 percent of its area under forest cover.
The Indian government has recognised Chhattisgarh as a ‘maximum tourism potential’ state and will help its endeavours in establishing itself as a centre of eco-tourism.
Chhattisgarh to become eco-tourism hub
Chhattisgarh will soon open herbal shops offering
medicinal facilities at over 35 tourist sites and rest houses in a bid to
become a hub of eco-tourism.
"Foreign and domestic tourists visiting Chhattisgarh''s 35 natural and
religious tourists sites will get herbal medicinal facilities," Tourism
Minister Brijmohan Agrawal said.
He said the state would set up a 25-acre herbal and medicinal park in the
Kurud area of Dhamtari district, near Raipur, to supply products to these
herbal shops.
The minister also added that the government was focusing on creating
world-class infrastructure facilities in and around tourist sites.
"Private firms have flooded the government with proposals to bring in over
Rs 400 billion in the tourism sector," he said.
According to him, a majority of the proposals are for eco-tourism and
infrastructure development, apart from the construction of over 100 hotels
and motels on roads connecting popular tourist sites.
Among the tourist attractions in Chhattisgarh are the Indravati river fall
in Bastar, the Kanger valley national park, and the Buddhist religious
centre in Sirpur, Mahasamund district.
The state is also known for caves and rocks, which are centuries old.
Chhattisgarh is one of the richest bio-diversity zones of the country with
44 percent of its area under forest cover.
The Indian government has recognised Chhattisgarh as a "maximum tourism
potential" state and will help its endeavors in establishing itself as a
centre of eco-tourism.
State Green Mission
What is about?
State Green Mission
- Is yet another product of Hon’ble Chief Minister’s green policy imagination, a new concept, an idea, a dream and a vision thereof.
- Is a new direction and dimension in the State’s efforts and endeavour to sustain, maintain and enrich Sikkim’s enviromenland ecology.
- Is a programme to give to people them mandate to own, regenerate and protect their resources by themselves.
- Is about synerging development and environmental protection
- Is broadbasing greening activities through people participation, support and guidance.
- Is converting Sikkim into a green paradise, a garden sate and a tourist’s ultimate dream and destination.
- Is making Sikkim a more beautiful, more green and more natural by integrating ecology with economy for bequeathing it to the posterity.
- Is spearheading peoples’ movement toward achieving healthier and pollution free environs around their surrounds.
What you can do?
- Help and support the movement.
- Ensure your active participation.
- Plant a seedling and a flower this monsoon.
- Protect, care, and nurture plants.
- Keep your compound clean, green and beautiful.
Source: Sikkim Herald.
Dated; 9th May, 2006.
Stakeholders deliberate on West Sikkim’s tourism potential, devise ways to promote it better.
Soreng, 12 May: “By 2010, ten lakh tourists shall be exploring Sikkim and we should start preparing form now onwards. The decongestion process has to be launched as the present crop of destinations are over loaded during tourist seasons. Tourists are now looking for more than Tsomgo and Pelling and we have to realize that the west District has much more to offer,” said Tourism Minister, RB Subba.
He was speaking at a seminar held here at the Community hall yesterday to devise ways and means on how to promote West Sikkim as the ultimate tourism destination.
The programme, which was organize by the Soreng Development Board, was attended by Sports & Youth Affairs Minister, PS Tamang, as the chief guest. Others present were NK Subba, MLA, Hee-Bermiok, PK Dong, Executive Director, STDC, Renzino Lepcha, General Secretary, ECOSS, senior officials of the Tourism Department, panchayat members, NGO representatives, school children and local gentry. Also present were representatives of the recently formed, Soreng environment protection and Tourism Development Board.
The main objective of the seminar, which saw active discussions
throughout, was to promote the West district and its constituencies such as
Soreng, Rinchepong, Hee-Bermiok, Chakung and Dentam, more aggressively on
the tourism circuit.
The subject of addresses by various speakers was that the West district had all the potential and that if tourism developed properly, future generations would be assured a sustainable financial source and the problem of unemployment would be solved.
“We have to now showcase to the world what West Sikkim is all about, our rich culture, heritage and beauty should be celebrated, that is how we will be next big thing in the circuit,” said the Tourism Minister.
He also laid emphasis on the need for capacity building and need for surveys and monitoring of the schemes to be taken up.
One of the “tourist spots’ that needs stronger promotion, as introduced by various speakers, was Jhandi Dara at 2,850 meters, which was much higher than Tiger Hill in Darjeeling. The spot also has historical significance since it was from here that the British East India Company started its survey work in Sikkim in 1848-49.
“The spot is perfect for tourism. The sun rise view is spectacular, we can also see the first rays of the sun hitting the Khangchendzonga. The beauty cannot be described by me, “stated Saran Tamang, a local entrepreneur. He also stressed on the need for watch towers and an easy access to the spot, while some insisted for an approach road, others said that a ropeway would do better justice.
Other issues highlighted by the local speakers were the development of fisheries and boating facilities, horse riding along the banks of a sizable lake in the constituency. Maha Bhir (Bhir Dara), where one can see clusters of bee hives and from where one gets a bird eyes views of 10th Mile, Daramdin and the surrounding West Bengal hills along with Punchaybong which can be promoted as a religious destination and also where there are small waterfalls with migratory birds coming could also be promoted.
There were other spots identified like Sherpa Gumpa at Gumpa Dara where there is also a Jhore Pokhari (lake) and a Shiva Mandir from where one can se the Darjeeling Hills clearly. A Monastery at Sreebadam where till now machines are run by hydropower which the English had left behind more than a century ago. Changey Falls, Durga Mandir caves, Buddha Monastery in Rinchenpong which showcases Buddha in a unique manner, Resong Dara where Rabindranath Tagore wrote many of his works and Gumbey Khoti where still texts that were written about 500 years back can be found and also the Tharpu Subba museum etc are some of the identified tourists sports in the area.
At the programme, experts form ECOSS, STDC and IHM also gave their views on how to develop tourism in an eco-friendly and sustainable way in the area. Also to address the gathering was the chief guest.
Source: Now.
Dated: 13th May 2005.
Hee Gaon to host heritage tourism festival
Gangtok, 14th May: A tourism festival focusing on heritage tourism is scheduled to be held at Hee Gaon under Hee-Bermiok constituency in West Sikkim on 22 and 23 May, 2006 informs a press release issued by Hee-Bermiok Tourism Development & Heritage Conservation Society.
Called the ‘Hee-Bermiok Heritage Festival -2006,’ this is slated to be an annual feature from now onwards.
This year’s festival incorporates programmes like mountain biking, multi ethnic cultural dances, exhibition of gumpa, mandir, manghim, dhami, jhakri, deosi, bhaili, traditional items of domestic use, traditional houses. A similar festival was held last year as part of the Khangchendzonga tourist festival.
All concerned agencies have been requested to extend cooperation, support and suggestions.
Source: Now.
Dated: 15th May 2006.
Rs 1.5 cr plan to boost eco-tourism in S Gujarat
State forest
and environment department has prepared a Rs 1.5 crore plan to develop
eco-tourism centres at Kilad near Vansada National Park and at Padam-Dungari
where tourists and other nature lovers would be imparted knowledge on rich
flora and fauna of South Gujarat.
Kilad, located on the banks of Ambica near Vansada in Navsari, has been
selected for its scenic beauty and its proximity with the national park
spread over 24-km area.
The wildlife park has a population of panthers and cheetals besides rich
flora and vegetation surrounding the park.
''We have decided to set up a camping site and other facilities at Kilad to
attract more and more tourists and nature lovers to see for themselves the
wild animals and study the ecology of the area,''a senior forest department
official said.
The proposed eco-tourism centre will be set up in the five hectare area of
the forest land which has already been identified by the officials.
The centre will also have facilities like small cottages where tourists can
stay overnight. A sum of Rs 30 lakh will be spent on this project.
The other place chosen for nature education is that of Padam-Dungari,
located in Vyara taluka of Surat district. The site is located in the midst
of a thick forest and rivers, a perfect blending of nature.
The place is also famous for the medicinal plants grown here in abundance.
Forest department officials have already taken a series of measures for
development of eco-tourism at Shoolpaneshwar wildlife sanctuary in Narmada,
which is famous for sloth bear and panthers.
The sanctuary spread over 608 square km area is being visited by a large
number of tourists. The local tribal people are being trained as guides and
also in catering profession as part of the eco-tourism project being
implemented in 2006, which has been declared Tourism Year by the state
government.
The ecotourism centre set up near the wildlife sanctuary is being managed by
tribals. State forest minister Mangubhai Patel said that the government has
also selected Jambughoda wildlife sanctuary for eco-tourism project
Dated: 17 May 2006
Source :India enews.com
A plantation drive was undertaken at Rorathang bridge area under the initiative of the area MLA, Bhim Dungel, as part of the State Green Mission, informs DR Sharma, Addl Director, Sericulture and Chief Nodal Officer in charge of Rhenock and Regu.
About 300 saplings were planted along the stretch from the bridge to the Sericulture nursery there in a drive that was participated in by teachers, students, Dattaram Sharma, Rangpo Officer(Territorial) Rongli, Block Officer (T) Rongli and forest guards.
It is informed that this is the first plantation programme for
Rhenock constituency where a total of 32 kms have been identified to be
taken up this year under the State Green Mission
Source: Now.
Dated: 18th May 2006. .
Pelling-Rimbi stretch receive State Green Mission
A massive plantation drive under the State Green Mission was carried today in Yuksom constituency. The drive covered around 12 kilometres from Pelling to Rimbi via Darap.
The plantation was done along the roadside by students and teachers from Darap Secondary School and WHGS, Darap along with the ward panchayat of the area, officials from Food Department , Forest Department and huge number of local gentries.
The area MLA cum Animal Husbandry Minister, Kalawati Subba, also took active part in the plantation drive. A power point presentation on post plantation care was also held during the drive.
Lallu Patey, Rhododendron, Rani Chap and wild fern saplings were planted. The plantation drive will be completed tomorrow here at Gerethang.
Source: Now.
Dated: 18th May 2006.
A Night at DECHENPHU- the Cave of Great Happiness
L.A.Wadell in the Gazetter of Sikkim compiled by H.H.Risley in 1894 makes a brief mention about the 4 holy caves of Sikkim- the traditional abodes of Guru Rimpoche and Lhatsun Chhembo. He writes that the caves are located in 4 cardinal directions surrounding Tashiding monastery. Lharingingphu in the North is situated about three days journey from Tashiding. In the South is Kahdonsangphu adjacent to the hotspring of Phurchachu. Pephu lies between the Tendong and the Maenam mountains. But about De-chen phu or the “cave of great happiness” the Gazetter is very vague. It says that it is located in “the snow near Zongri and only reachable in the autumn”.
But much water has flown down the Teesta since then Motorable road communication is now available to far flung areas of Sikkim and accessing these caves is not as difficult as it was more than a century ago. In fact, the vehicle reaches right to the Pephu cave and Kahdosangphu is hardly a 10 minutes walk from the roadside.
Dechen phu, however, continues to defy easy accessibility. It has the highest altitude amongst the four caves and involves a one day daunting and murderous trek-taking you from barely 5000ft to almost 10,000ft above mean sea level.
Fourteen kilometers downhill from Pelling is the village of Namphu at about 5000 ft above mean sea level and it is here that the vehicle goes. It is a rather melancholic day: a faint drizzle and an overcast sky. “There, behind those clouds”. We will be making a night halt at the cave and therefore a quick check of whether we are carrying everything required –sleeping bags, provisions, candles, utensils and so on.
A twenty minute steep downhill walk and we are at the banks of the river Rimbi, fed by the monsoon rains and melting snow, the river is gushing and thundering. The water has been harnessed a few kilometers downstream to generate electricity. Without crossing the river, we walk along forty minutes to reach the village of Rimbi.
In this remote village, salesmanship also thrives. The lady shopkeeper from whom I purchase candies and chocolates to munch on the way says that there are no shops further up and recommends that we purchase all our last minute requirements from her. She charge Rs 30 for a bottle of coke that ordinarily costs Rs 20 at Gangtok. “Carrying Costs” she justifies succinctly. I think she has a point there so without arguing proceed onwards.
The Track here bifurcates with the one on the right going towards Chawri and Zongri. We take the track on the left leaving the Rimbi river and walk along its tributary the Lungaman Khola. We now get a taste of the steep climb that lines ahead. The Track at a moderate gradient passes through maize fields, meadows and grazing grounds. In slightly less than an hour we are at Tsetanthang a picturesque village with a predominant Limbu population – which seems to be untouched by the ravages of civilization. We must be at 6000ft for that uncouth white scar of Pelling on the opposite hills looks to be at the same level.
After a quick breakfast in one of the houses we are set to move again. For the next six hours we just climb, climb and climb. There is not a single habitation on the way. The foot path is kutcha and is lined with thick vegetation and trees of magnolia and rhododendrons. The foliage sis so thick that even the sky is not visible. At places the track becomes bouncy and soft because of decaying vegetation that has compacted over ages.
Mid way, the vegetation beings to thin out and gradually get replaced by pine, cane and shrubs. Through a gap in the clouds we can see the cliff on which the Dechenphu is situated. The cliff face glistening white is a sheer drop of about a thousand feet. It reminds me of Taksang Monastery in the Bhutan which is also situated on a cliff.
We finally reach the cliff face. The path bifurcates with the one on the right going towards the Singelila range- a further four hours walk away and onwards to Nepal. Far in the east we can see the roof of the Tashiding Monastery and in the southerly direction, the Pemayanste Monastery After negotiating a narrow path that has skillfully been sculpted on it we are at the hut just below the cave and on the base of the cliff. The cliff looms ominously above us. The hut has been constructed by the Rural Development for the convenience of the pilgrims. It has a single room measuring about 30 ft. by 15 ft. and has a tin roof and wall made of wood plants. The floor is just hard ground covered with hay and grass which act as cushion. We lay out our sleeping bags, rest a while and after a cup of tea prepared by our porter on firewood get ready to pay our obeisance at the cave just about 300 feet away.
The track leading to the cave is very narrow and lined with a profusion of prayer flags (Lungtas). The mouth of the cave is about 8 ft. high and about 6 ft wide it becomes a cavern inside about 12ft high and then after 15ft rapidly truncates to about a hiehg of 2 ft. One can crawl in further and after 20ft reach a small hole on the cliff side. The smallness of Dechenphu as compared to the other three holy caves in Sikkim is sufficiently compensated by its altitude and the fantastic view around. A small statue of Buddha adorns the mouth of the cave. The floor is littered with coins and discarded brass butter lams. We offer khadas, light butter lamps and incense and ring the bell the sound of which echoes in the hills. It seems many students visit the cave as we find books kept at various places in the cave seeking blessings of the Buddha. The cliff is pocked with few smaller caves but these are not very significant. Lungaman Khola flows just below our hut and we use its pure mineral water for drinking, cooking and ablutions.
As dusk falls, the nocturnal insects come alive. A cricket clicks and is followed by hundreds of others until the whole forest below the cave reverberates with a deafening din. Big water drops seepimg out of the cliff continuously bombard the roof of the hut. All this noise does not disturb us at all. We are dog-tired and lull off to sleep. The lights of Darap, Pelling and Darjeeling on the Southern horizon twinkle in the darkness.
The loud twittering of birds wakes us in the morning. Just half a kilometer ahead perched on a hillock a lama from Bhutan has put up a shack of twigs and hay. He has been here for the last one year and we are given to understand that he would continue to be here for another two years meditating in complete silence not talking to anyone. We are moved by his faith and perseverance. We visit his hut and reverently place a small bag of rice at the entrance of the shack.
We walk six hours down to Rimbi village and then undertake
uphill climb to Namphu thereafter. Did I hear a blare of the motor horn? We
are back in the cacophony of civilization.
Source: Now.
Dated: 31st May 2006.
Guidelines for Green Taxis in Sikkim.
Sikkim has launched a unique and innovative programme called “State Green Mission” under the dynamic leadership of Hon,ble Chief Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling, with the view to raise avenue plantation and beautification of all vacant and waste land s to further reinforce and wide spread recognition of Sikkim being a Clean, Green and Garden State. As a part of the Green Mission, the Green Taxis initiative has been taken to reduce the solid waster (garbage) disposal along roads while traveling.
We request all the taxi drivers of Sikkim to ensure that the travelers follow the following code of conduct.
1. Match Sticks, cigarette stubs can cause wide fires, Avoid throwing them out.
2. Avoid littering and spitting on the road.
3. Always used dustbins, not roads to throw wastes.
4. Avoid throwing food wrappers, tetra packs, plastics form the vehicle.
5. Flowers are important for birds, Avoid plucking them.
6. Contact the Forest Secretary at 03592-281261 (O) or the concerned Divisional Forest Officers for reporting any forest offence.
Source: NOW