CONSULTATION WORKSHOP ON ECOTOURISM IN SIKKIM
The Consultation Workshop on Ecotourism in Sikkim concluded on 25 January 2006 with a call
for efforts to undertake a detailed carrying capacity study for ecotourism in Sikkim and to
develop a clear management strategy to ensure environmental and economic sustainability of
the sector. Representatives from the state Forest Department, the state Tourism Department,
Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim (ECOSS), The Mountain Institute (TMI), various
other NGOs, Sikkim Association of Tour Operators (SATO) and local ecotourism committees
participated in the consultation organised by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and
Environment (ATREE) at the Forest Conference Hall in Gangtok.
In his opening address the Minister for Forests and Wildlife Shri Sher Bahadur Subedi called
for greater dialogue and consultations on the issues confronting the sector as a whole. He
said that all efforts were being made to promote Sikkim as the "ultimate ecotourism destination"
and requested ATREE to hold the national-level consultation under the project in Sikkim.
Later, interactive sessions were held in which several issues were discussed. Eco-tourism
committees and entrepreneurs from all over the state participated in the discussions.
Deliberations were preceded by case studies from various ecotourism committees, mostly
community owned initiatives. They included representatives from Kewzing Tourism Development
Committee, Yambong Singalila Community-based Ecotourism Initiative, Sikkim Ecotourism
Conservation Federation, Yuksam Community Ecotourism and Trekking, Hee Bermiok Tourism
Development and Heritage Conservation Society, Hee Gyathang Ecotourism Committee.
PK Dong (Executive Director, Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation), PD Rai (Chairman, ECOSS),
Sandeep Tambe (The Mountain Institute), Renzino Lepcha (Executive Secretary, ECOSS), and JP
Tamang (Sikkim Government College) also spoke on the occasion. Earlier, Suman Rai (Regional
Director ATREE) outlined the objectives of the workshop.
CONSULTATION WORKSHOP ON ECOTOURISM IN KALIMPONG
The Consultation Workshop on Ecotourism in Kalimpong concluded on 27 January 2006 with
a call for more discussions and dialogue to identify practical solutions to guide and
transform local ecotourism and village tourism efforts and to generate greater awareness
among hosts and visitors. Representatives from the state Forest Department, the Gorkha
Hill Council (GHC), WWF, Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim (ECOSS), DLR
PRERNA, other NGOs, and local ecotourism/ village tourism initiatives participated
in the consultation organised at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment
(ATREE) office in Kalimpong.
In his opening address the Kalimpong MLA Gaulan Lepcha called for greater efforts to conserve
local natural resources, diversity and traditions so that ecotourism and village tourism
efforts can be sustainable and contribute to overall conservation and sustainable development.
He said that the DGHC has plans for promoting several areas as ecotourism and village tourism
destinations and was making efforts in this regard.
Later, interactive sessions were held in which several issues were discussed. Eco-tourism
committees and entrepreneurs from all over Darjeeling district participated in the discussions.
Deliberations were preceded by case studies from various ecotourism committees, mostly community
owned initiatives. They included representatives from Damsang Gadi Ecotourism, Bunkulung Home
stays, Rampuria Ecotourism Committee, Tinchuley Ecotourism Model, Bada Magwa Ecotourism Resort
and Samthar Homestays.
PT Bhutia (Conservator of Forests [Wildlife], Bimal Gazmer (Area Manager, Gorkha Hill Council),
Renzino Lepcha (Executive Secretary, ECOSS), and Pravat Rana (WWF) also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, Suman Rai (Regional Director ATREE) outlined the objectives of the workshop.
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