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Biodiversity workshop ends with appeal to protect Teesta Valley More..
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India Today ranks Chungthang-Gurudongmar drive best in India. More..
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International expedition scales Mt. Thingchinkhang More..
Biodiversity workshop ends with appeal to protect Teesta Valley
Gangtok, 17 Oct: the valedictory function of the two-day long “Workshop on Conservation and Management of Biodiversity in Teesta Valley’, which started yesterday here at the Forest Conference Hall, was held today with the scholars endorsing the need to protect the Teesta valley for the biodiversity hub their research has established it to be.
Organized by the Salim ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History [SACON], Coimbatore and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies on Mountains and Hills [CISMHE], University of Delhi, today also witnessed the release of the ecological study report on the biodiversity in the Teesta Basin conducted by student researchers and SACON scientists between 2002 to 2006.
Minister for Forest Wildlife & Environment, SB Subedi, was present as the chief guest, accompanied by Secretary –cum- PCCF TR Poudyal and State Planning Commission member S Lama.
The session started with the presentation of a documentation of birds and butterflies species in Sikkim, followed by a panel discussion of the talks presented by the scientist, researchers and officials in yesterday’s session.
Chaired by Sandeep Thambe of The Mountain Institute, the session discussed at length, various issues such as biodiversity conservation, wasteland utilization etc. and agreed that the area beyond Chungthang in North Sikkim, identified in the study report as a potential area for biodiversity conservation, and Sankalang in Dzongu, identified as an area rich in biodiversity, particularly butterflies and Herpetofauna, needed to be included under the protected areas.
The SACON research study on the biodiversity also the Teesta River Valley is part of a larger project, ‘Carrying Capacity Studies of Teesta River Basin in Sikkim’, funded by NHPC and sponsored through the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India and CISMHE, University of Delhi as the coordination of the multidisciplinary study.
The project involved local research students and assistants, including three PhD scholars, namely Basundhara Chettri, who is working in the field of Herpetofauna, Bhoj Kumar Acharya, working on birds and butterflies and Jaya Thapa, working on mammals. The research work established-field stations near Singtam and at Chungthang.
The study established that around 45% of all species found in Sikkim were present among the Teesta valley. The sampling area was restricted within two kilometers on either side of Teesta, covering about 600 sq. km, which makes for 8.5% of the total area of Sikkim.
The post lunch session witnessed the valedictory function.
In his felicitation address, JP Tamang, a lecturer with Sikkim Government College, stressed that a full-fledged research institute for forest and allied studies was an urgent need for Sikkim.
Mr. Lama, in turn, urged the Department and the State government to expedite the formation of the State Biodiversity Board.
The Secretary-cum-PCCF also complemented SACON for their contribution, but added that such studies required the presence of a representative of the Forest Department , given the fact that the Department was responsible for 85% of the total land area in Sikkim and its role in providing the correct information and policies could not be overlooked.
Addressing the current issue of hydel project coming up in the protected areas, he emphasised that such projects were an important source of revenue for the State and could not be simply wished away. The only way to work out was to find a way to incorporate conservation with development, with implementation of strict measures to ensure against depletion of the forest resource,.
The last address for the day was the presidential address of Mr. Subedi who also emphasized on the need for bio-conservation in Sikkim and voiced that hydel projects were imperative for the State’s developmental march but could be guided in a way that they assisted further development of the project areas.
The workshop was participated by local NGO members of Yambong Ecotourism Committee, KCC [West], KEEP, VHAS and ECOSS, along with Director of Tourism, PK Dong, Usha Lachungpa from Forest Departments and Director Incharge GB Pant Institute, Mr. S. Badola.
Source: Now.
Dated: 18th October,2006.
India Today ranks Chungthang-Gurudongmar drive best in India.
Gangtok, 18th Oct: If not India itself, at least India Today, has begun to show quite a keen understanding of Sikkim.
In its third article on the State in the last one month or so, India Today has given the title of Best Long Drive to the ride from Chungthang to Gurudongmar Lake , in North Sikkim.
In an issue that focuses on ‘India’s finest experiences for the mind, body and soul’, the one page feature on the drive gushes about how during the drive one can see ‘brilliant Rhododendron blooms in spring or the most dramatic fall colours in autumn’.
The magazine also talks about the marmots, blue sheep and yaks, framed by “the gleaming snows” of Kanchenjau and Chomiomo peaks which can be seen once on reaches the Tibetan Plateau.
This article can only come as a shot in the arm for the still-seeking –publicity Sikkim tourism sector.
Source: Now.
Dated: 19th October 2006.
International expedition scales Mt. Thingchinkhang
Gangtok, 26 Oct: A team comprising of three Germans, three sherpas and a liaison officer, completed the first successful and official international expedition to the 6,010 metre [19,718 feet] Mt. Thingchinkhang in West Sikkim when they attained the summit on 19 October at 11 AM. The 10-day expedition [from 14 to 23 October at 11 AM. The 10-day expedition [from 14 to 23 October] was planned by CEO of Yak & Yeti Travels and Expeditions, Satish Bardewa.
The successful expedition team comprised of Schmidt Gerald Anton, DR Lehrer Florian, Mayer Gerhard, climbing guides – Nima Sherpa, Lakpa sherpa and ang Kami Sherpa and Liaison Officer [deputed by the Home Department], DB Chettri.
The technical Advisor for the climb was Tashi Sherpa, the High Altitude Cook for the team was Prem Tamang and the Head Portedr was Kharka Bahadur Chauhan.
The team also included two Spanish nationals-Jesus Maria Garcia Armendariz and Carmelo Zabalza Dallo but they could not complete the journey.
Addressing a pres conference here on Wednesday evening, the team recollected memories of the expedition. The conference was first addressed by Mr. Bardewa, who expressed his happiness on the fact that the government had opened new peaks for adventurers and congratulated the team for successfully completing the expedition and presented them with khadas.
While describing his experience, Mr. Florian revealed that he had earlier been under the assumption that he would be participating in an “easy trek” but received a welcome surprise when it turned out to be a highly technical expedition to an alpine peak.
“I was very excited because this was to be my first expedition. Earlier, I had only taken part in treks in the Alps which were meticulously planned affairs.
He mentioned that guides, lodges, maps and weather reports were very easily obtained during any part of such treks. On being asked if he preferred such sanitized trekking experiences or the rough and wild expeditions on virgin peaks in Sikkim, he professed a liking for the latter.
“It would be a bad idea if Sikkim were to be the way of the Alps because that can hardly be called adventurous anymore. I think the current process has its share of risks but it is this spontaneity that makes it desirable. Although what it is required is good information about what a climber might expect during the expedition.”
It was easy to notice that Mr. Florian was enamoured by the whole experience as adjectives like “incredible” and “excellent” were freely used by him during his talk. He also revealed that the mountains here were “huge” compared to the mountains back in the Bavarian Alps. However, he also revealed that the expedition had its share of rough moments.
“On the whole there were many uncomfortable and tough conditions but that has to be expected. It was quite hard to breather when we were approaching the higher altitudes,” he mentioned.
While, commenting on how he came to know of this opportunity, he revealed that Sikkim had been recommended to him by his friends. “I am glad that I listened to them. This journey was the ultimate experience and I recommend the State for all adventure seekers back home.” He revealed that they did not set food on the peak in recognition of local religious sentiments which revere all snowy peaks and ended the expedition a few meters short of the actual summit.
The Technical Advisor to the expedition the technical details of the expedition and admitted that there were many misconceptions among tourists regarding mountaineering expeditions and that many of them came imm-prepared for a strenuous experience.
He suggested that the tours and travels operators provide clients with comprehensive details on what was to be expected as such climbs were not without their share of dangers and risks.
The conference was also addressed by the climbing guides. The climbing route was planed with two high altitude camps at 17,000 feet above the Advance Base Camp and all the necessary equipment was provided by the organizers.
In his vote of thanks, Mr. Bardewa also revealed that his travel company will regularly organize expeditions to the remaining four alpine peaks- Brumkhangse [5,635 metres] and Lamo Angden [5868 metres] in North Sikkim and Mount Jopuno and Grey’s Peak [5,830 metres] in West Sikkim.
Source: Now
Dated: 27th October 2006.