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Click the text More... for detail news 2005/2004/2003 News
- NATHULA on a high :Tomorrow, Serathang hosts 600+ special invitees at 13,600ft......More...
- Nathula : the historic reopening of the mountain pass of Nathula for trade........More...
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Madhya Pradesh opens new vistas in eco-tourism More...
- ECOSS brings together ecotourism stakeholders and policy makers. Ecotourism and conservation Society of Sikkim [ECOSS] organized an interactive seminar-cum-workshop...... More...
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Kerala promotes Eco-Tourism ....More...
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J&K's new tourism policy to focus on eco-tourism, infrastructure .....More..
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Manipur to have the first adventure and leadership park in India....More..
Tomorrow, Serathang hosts 600+ special invitees at 13,600ft
Ranjit Singh
Gangtok, 04 July: While Sikkim has always been attempting to project a positive image in the hospitality industry its resources in this particular sector have been spread thin and its humour in this regard would be tested when, on 6th July, the State will attempt to comfortably host a horde of around 600 to 700 people special invitees and simple folk at 13,600 ft. at Serathang, the designated trade mart for the border trade on the Indian side. Serathang will be the venue for the official ceremony marking the reopening of Nathula to trade.
The swarm of people gathering on Historic Thursday at the mountain pass will be an eclectic collection considering that a number of high profile bureaucrats from the Government of India along with equally enigmatic designations from the business fraternity and civil society are expected to rub shoulders with the local variety. To add to that, there will be a good number of national as well as international media representatives.
The army, as well as the State government, particularly the Commerce & Industries Department, the line departments and the DC [East]’s office, not to forget the Home Department, have been burning time and leather to oversee the last minute arrangements.
Officials visited the high pass as well as the trade mart today for a final inspection of the preparations, particularly the designated seating arrangements and the allotment of parking space at Serathang. Small spaces on the ridge at the border have been marked out for the media by the GREF and the shed which will act as the check post at the border point has just been put up where Customs & Immigration, ITBP and other personnel will be posted.
It was only on 19 June that the Chinese got the road coming from their side aligned with the road here, a day before the Indian delegation crossed over. And within the span of few days, the Chinese have cut the ridge on the other side and constructed an 8 m wall.
With so many people wanting to be a part of the history it would be interesting to see how many actually have their wits about them for the after glow.
According to some officials who went up today, though the day was bright up there, a few did complain to sickness which is common at such high altitudes. And considering this factor, the army, it is informed, has geared itself by planning to keep doctors and ambulances handy in the likelihood of people falling sick.
Christy Fernandez, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, will probably feel at home this time round [he had a bad run with altitude sickness while driving towards Nathula from the Tibet Autonomous Region side recently]; also expected are HS Brahma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs; BS Lalli, Secretary, Borcer management under MHA; Lt. Gen.KS Rao, Director general, BRO and Saurav Kumar, Director, China under the Ministry of External Affairs.
From the business world are expected S.Sen, Deputy Director, Confederation of Indian Industries and also Dr. Bibek Debroy, Secretary General, PHDCCI. The distinguished guests from the civil society who are expected include Chairman, NHRC, Mr. Ahmadi; BB Bhatacharya, VC, JNU; T. Ahmad, DG, Indian Council of World Affairs along with Resident Representatives of the World Bank, ADB and UNDP.
The Chinese Ambassador in India, Sun Yuxi, will also be attending the big day along with officials of the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi, namely, Tian Wei, First Secretary, Li Zhaoping, Attache and Chen Zhishan, attaché.
Expected for the ceremony at Nathula on the TAR side are the Chairman, TAR, Qiangba Puncog and vice-chairman, Hao Peng, Menyang, Deputy General, TAR, and the Deputy Director General, Department of Commerce, TAR.
Source: Now
Dated: 5th July 2006.
Ranjit Singh
06 July, 2006:Sikkim had its moment of glory today and each moment in the sun was soaked in with enthusiasm. All roads led to Nathula today with the earliest vehicle leaving Gangtok at 2:20AM and following behind were a few hundred more, all driving to witness the historic reopening of the mountain pass of Nathula for trade. The perpetual drizzle and moody skies were no challenge to the feverish enthusiasm on the ground.
When the moment came after the chief guests on either side of the border at Nathula- Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and Chairman, Tibet autonomous region, Qiangba Puncog-had rounded up their key note addresses, the red carpet expanse on either side of the border was swamped by journalists, soldiers and bureaucrats from both sides scampering about for photos, possible quotes and sound- bytes.
The State has never before witnessed such unrestrained media indulgence. Everyone, from BBC to Japan Broadcasting Corporation to correspondents from foreign newspapers to NDTV to Zee News to CNN-IBN, Channel 7, AFP, descended on Nathula in a deluge so strong that they swamped the 100 Indian Traders 1:3, literally leading to a situation where anyone who started speaking, was guaranteed an audience of journos.
Almost lost in the melee where diplomatic subtleties in which China coats its public statements. The Chairman TAR dropped one in the very beginning of his keynote address. In an address delivered in Chinese (translated simultaneously by a Chinese interpreter), he congratulated the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on the historic occasion. While that was expected, how he qualified the introduction of the Chief Minister should spread some glee in the Ministry of External Affairs. “Dr. Pawan Chamling. Chief Minister of the Sikkim State of India,” he said.
There are many who keep highlighting that China has never explicitly recognized Sikkim’s merger with India and has only changed the colour of the maps. If the fact that China was starting a border trade with India over Nathula and through a trade mart at Serathang was not [roof enough, now, there is also how the Chairman TAR sees Sikkim.
For many, the reopening of Nathula for trade was mostly about improving Sino-Indian relations and the bonhomic at Nathula today was reflective of how commerce can help overcome traditional suspicions. It also helps if the suspicions are of more recent make than the centuries of cultural exchanges.
Mr Chamling, in his address, stressed that Nathula was a symbol of mutual interdependence and collective survival. The reopening, he said, resumed the centuries of cultural exchange that India and China had cultivated. He said that he was overjoyed that this interaction was now possible over Nathula in Sikkim and added that today’s inauguration justified the 12 years through which he remained committed which he remained committed to the idea and pursued with several governments in Delhi in the face of doubt and even ridicule at times.
The Chairman, TAR, reciprocated the Chief Minister’s optimism and said that the reopening of Nathula signified a new stage of Sino-Indian relations which would lead to economic prosperity and social upliftment for people on both sides.
The official addresses over and the
ceremonial ribbon cut, the two chief guests exchanged khadas and gifts and
Nathula became a colorful jamboree of Indian and Chinese nationals
intermingling and crossing over into each other’s territories.
Source: Now
Dated: 7th July 2006.
Madhya Pradesh opens new vistas in eco-tourism
Bhopal - In a drive to promote eco-tourism, Madhya Pradesh will open up its nature parks to tourists who will have an opportunity to enjoy camping, trekking and nature walks inside them.
‘Novel programmes would prove effective in reducing the crowd inside national parks too even as eco-tourism would receive the much-needed boost,’ Forest Minister Himmat Kothari told reporters here Monday.
‘The innovative schedules - ‘Special Services’ - will embrace changed rules of entry into the parks, mid-day camps, treks and other facilities aimed at introducing variety into a tourist’s circuit,’ he said.
‘It will not only boost the state’s revenues, but will also generate substantial employment opportunities for rural people whose poverty has been the main reason for the degradation of forests,’ he said.
‘The presence of tourists in hitherto unvisited areas will thus also boost forest protection,’ the minister said.
Madhya Pradesh, with nearly 13 percent of the national forest wealth, has nine national parks, 25 wildlife sanctuaries including five tiger reserves, breathtaking scenic splendour of Pachmarhi and Amarkantak, enchanting tribal culture, ancient rock paintings, forts and palaces scattered throughout the wilderness.
‘Despite this wealth, eco-tourism in Madhya Pradesh has so far been limited to ‘wildlife tourism’ - more specifically, ‘tiger tourism’ in tiger reserves and people have only been enjoying wildlife safaris and specially arranged trips to catch a glimpse of a tiger,’ Kothari rued.
‘But now camping and trekking too would be allowed in designated areas though under the supervision and vigil of forest department personnel,’ he pointed out.
It is also being planned to open up to tourists some of the hitherto unexplored and remotest of areas inside national parks and other forests. This will further improve forest management and wildlife protection in those areas, he hoped.
‘Presence of the forest staff at isolated points will have to be a compulsory affair once people are allowed to go there and that will automatically give push to forest and wildlife protection activities,’ Kothari asserted
Dated: Jul 10, 2006
Source:India eNews.com,India
ECOSS brings together ecotourism stakeholders and policy makers.
Gangtok, July 14, Ecotourism and conservation Society of Sikkim [ECOSS] organized an interactive seminar-cum-workshop on Ecotourism Initiatives in the Sikkim. Himalayas under the UNESCO supported project “Strengthening of Sikkim Himalayan Homestay” 2006.
The objective of this interaction cum workshop was to bring the ecotourism initiatives from rural areas into the limelight and provide a platform for interaction with key government agencies.
The seminar was structured for community-based organizations to make presentations about their ecotourism initiatives.
Community based organizations which participated in this meet included representatives from Soreng, Khecheopalri, Melli Aching, Yuksam, Nambu Rimbick, Yuksam, Hee Bermiok, Aritar, Pastanga, Kewsing, Omchu and Mangan. Travel Agents Accociation of Sikkim and other key stakeholders were also invited to this interaction.
The workshop consisted of participants representing Government Departments and Non Government Organization. Officials from the Department and Non Government Organization. Officials from the Department of Tourism, Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation, Department of Forest Environment and Wildlife Management, SIDICO NEDFi and NABARD also attended the meeting.
Commissioner cum Secretary Tourism Alok Srivastav spoke on the role of his department in the promotion of ecotourism in Sikkim, while M L Arrawatia, Additional PCCG Forest Department, highlighted the issues and concerns of ecotourism around forest areas and informed participants about the Forest Department regulations.
With the focus of the government an ecotourism, ECOSS expressed hope that such meets would triggers the right paradigms of tourism development in pristine areas of Sikkim and institutions would play a more vital role in facilitating such process.
Source: Now
Dated: 15th July 2006.
The Thenmala Eco-tourism Project, 72 km from
Thiruvananthapuam, developed around the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary is
being promoted as the country's first planned eco-tourism destination.
This new concept in tourism is aimed to promote a responsible tourism
industry, which does not disturb the region's ecosystem.
It would help create economic opportunities that make conservation of
natural resources beneficial to the local population.
This benefits sets this project apart from other nature tourism destinations
across the country.
"We intend to make Kerala the most eco-friendly destination in the world,"
said K G Mohanlal, Director, Eco-Tourism.
"All of us around here have only benefited from this project," said Geetha,
Instructor, Thenmala Adventure Zone.
But not everyone is sure about the economic benefits of the project.
"We have no benefits whatsoever from the Thenmala Project. It has been four
months since we started this shop. However, it is of no use," said Rajam, a
Shopkeeper.
Eco-friendly scheme
The government now plans to rope-in the private sector, encouraging it to
play an active role in eco-tourism.
Last month, it launched an eco-certification scheme for the state's
hospitality sector, under which three levels of membership are extended to
hotels based on their conformity with guidelines aimed at making the
industry more eco-friendly.
Some of these guidelines include use of facilities for water conservation
and harvesting, waste management, energy conservation and also giving back
to the local population by setting aside funds for the development of the
area.
"We have a concerted positioning in the market. We also have a good
entrepreneurial private sector initiative. There is a synergy between the
government and the private sector," said K G Mohanlal, Director,
Eco-Tourism.
Kerala gets over 12 per cent of India's total tourist traffic, thanks to the
aggressive marketing campaign of its tourism department. The Eco-tourism
drive adds another dimension to that campaign.
Dated: Jul 16, 2006
Source: NDTV.com, India
J&K's new tourism policy to focus on eco-tourism, infrastructure
If all goes well, the state of Jammu & Kashmir will have a new tourism policy in about three months with a renewed thrust on eco tourism, adventure sports, infrastructure and pilgrim tourism.
The policy particularly aims at developing Gulmarg, about 50 kilometres from Srinagar. Kashmir's tourism director, Farooq Ahmed Shah said, "The centre and the state governments are very serious about tourism. We are extremely keen on promoting eco-tourism and the already thriving pilgrim tourism."
In the policy, the state government wants to push adventure sports, including a new skating rink in Gulmarg and three more golf courses in Srinagar, besides making the existing nine-hole golf course in Pahalgam to an 18-hole one. There are also plans to start polo games. As far as accommodation is concerned, the government has identified about 70 acres of land in Gulmarg for the purpose of constructing budget and star hotels. Pointing out that the land would be leased for a period of 40 years and will be extended to about 90 years, Shah emphasised that the structures would be eco-friendly and will be developed by local hoteliers. Select houses in villages near Gulmarg would also be converted into guesthouses with the government providing necessary financial support.
Dated: Jul 18, 2006
Source: Express
Travel World, India
Manipur to have the first adventure and leadership park in India
Manipur will have the first adventure and
leadership park in the country, according to Dr. Karan singh, MP, chairman
of the adventure and leadership parks governing council who presided over
the launch of adventure and leadership parks and felicitation of Captain
M.S. Kohli , India`s Himalayan legend at the Regency Ballroom of Hyatt
Regency hotel in New Delhi this evening.
The function was organised by Sushil Gupta, managing director of Hyatt
Regency who is also the trustee of Himalayan Environment Trust and the
chairman of Gangotri Conservation Project. Dr. Karan Singh said the country
would have 500 such parks to be constructed under the MP Local Area
Development Fund. A sum of Rs. 25 lakhs was earmarked for construction of
these parks in every MPLAD fund. The second park would be set up in New
Delhi for which a sum of Rs. 25 lakhs had been earmarked from his MPLAD
fund.
In his welcome address Sushil Gupta said, the concept of the adventure and
leadership parks as per the vision of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi,
was to bring adventure right at the doorsteps of the students of India, so
as to enable a large number of them to imbibe the qualities of leadership,
teamwork, self-confidence, character and community services through
adventure. The infrastructure in the adventure and leadership park would
consist of jogging track, a challenge course, rock climbing, rappling,
zorbing, yoga and meditation Meher Heroyce Moos, the world`s most travelled
lady with an amazing tally of 165 countries including Antartica, who was the
master of ceremony read out messages recieved from the President of India,
the vice president of India, the Governor of Manipur, the chief minister of
Delhi and Sir Edmund Hillary.
In his message, Governor of Manipur, Dr. SS Sidhu stated that the adventure
park in Manipur is scheduled to become operational in September this year.
He further said, the participation and the involvement in adventure sports
activities help in the growth and development of the youth, transforming
their personality into responsible, patriotic and healthy citizens.
Tourism is an engine for economic growth and promotes the spirit of
friendship, brotherhood and unity. Therefore, efforts made by any
organisation for promoting the two sectors deserve to be encouraged and
appreciated, he added.
In the function Amolak Rattan Kohli, Governor of Mizoram, Admiral Arun
Prakash, chief of the naval staff and Gurdial Singh, the first Himalayan
summiteer were amongst the guests of honour.
Dated:
26 July 2006
Source: intelligent traveler