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Newsletter Volume 14 Number 3 October-December 2016
ENVIS CENTRE
]
F SCO IELI NC CN EU &O C T EE CT HAT N
S O LMI OK GKI YS INDIA
fon rI m l aat tin oe n m Sn yo sri tev mn E
C
eo tl ale nc it mC eo slla iste D
S I K K I M On
ECOTOURISMISSN: 0974-6072
1
Gangtok, 10 December: State Forest
Environment and Wildlife Management
Department (FEWMD) Minister Mr. T. W.
Lepcha inaugurated the three day long
'Greater Rangit Ecotourism Festival,
2016' with the theme Discover Kitam at
Kitam- Manpu GPU today. The festival
is organized by Mayur-Kitam EDC under
the aegis of Directorate of Ecotourism,
SBFP-JICA and Forest Environment and
Wildlife Management Department.
Also, present during the festival were
Officials, Panchayats and local gentry.
Addressing, the gathering Minister Mr.
T. W. Lepcha extended his warm
greetings and congratulated the
o rgan i z i ng commi t tee on the
successful organization of the maiden
Greater Rangit Ecotourism Festival,
2016. Mr. Lepcha underlined the
importance of eco- tourism festival
which aims at advocating and
g e n e r a t i n g a w a r e n e s s a b o u t
responsible travel to natural areas that
conserves the environment and
improves the well-being of local
people. Explaining, about the concept
of eco-tourism Mr. Lepcha elucidated
that eco-tourism is a beneficial
category under the tourism sector
wherein planning and management is
prepared by the local people thereby
empowering these local people in
boosting and encouraging the tourist
to visit the area.
The minister also highlighted that eco-tour i sm can c reate an ample opportunity in the area such as creation of jobs locally through prospects of working as guide, retailing arts and crafts, providing accommodations to the visiting tourist by creating home stay and by setting up of many more improved facilities. Mr. Lepcha also drew attention on the importance of preserv ing the environment and updated that the State Government has consistently worked towards conservation of the environment through initiatives such as the 10 Minutes to Earth programme, the Paryavaran Mahotsav, banning of the bursting of fire-crackers and many more activities to preserve the rich bio-diversity of Sikkim.
Speaking during the festival Director, Directorate of Ecotourism Mr. J. B. Subba spoke in brief about the aim and o b j e c t i v e o f G r e a t e r R a n g i t Ecotourism Festival which is an initiative of the State Government for creation of a platform to inform the local population to recognize the importance of protect ing the biological diversity along with enhancing the nature-based tourism activities in the concerned area. Mr.
S u b b a a l s o s p o k e a b o u t t h e requirement of ample number of professional guides in the state. In, this regard he encouraged the local youths to undergo a certified training guide program so that they can assist the visiting tourist.
Chairman STDC Mr. R. N. Rai also addressed the festival where he informed the gathering about the various initiatives of the State Government in promotion of tourism. Additionally, he advocated the local youths to come forward and support and further develop the tourism sector in the state.
The main features of the Greater Rangit Ecotourism Festival are White Water Rafting, Outdoor Camping, Traditional Organic Food, Trekking, Hiking, Canopy Walking, Local and Traditional sports.
Source: Sikkim Dainik
HIGHLIGHTS
l Accessibility is very easy round the year with entry into Sikkim from Melli in South Sikkim district with an extensive road network. October to May is the best season for visiting.
l Food and Stay will be arranged in a homestay in the village wherein you get the advantage of homely comforts of staying with a village
GREATER RANGIT ECOTOURISM FESTIVAL 2016
2
family along with a chance to enjoy their culture, local delicacies and daily activities.
l· Rangit River which is a snow fed river will follow you throughout the trek, its sparkling blue waters and white sand is an angler's delight.
Unique Pristine Sal Chir Pine Sub-Tropical Forests
l Sal Forests
The Rangit Valley is characterized by Lower Hill Forests of Sal (Shorea robusta) which is generally gregarious, confined to south and south eastern slopes. Principal associates of Sal are Dabdabe (Garuga pinnata), Pakhasaj (Terminalia crenulata), Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Burra (Terminalia chebula), Pandanus nepalensis and Panisaj (Terminalia myriocarpa).
l Chir Pine Forests
The sal occurs in association with Chir pine (Pinus roxbughii). The common associates are Panisaj (Terminalia my r i o ca rpa ) , Tank i ( Bauh i n i a purpurea), Bassia butryca, Toon (Toona ciliate), Pandanus nepalensis, Khirra (Holarrhena antidysenterica), Bauni kath (Wightia gigantea), Angeri (Pieris
ovalifolia) and a profuse undergrowth o f p a l m ( P h o e n i x a c a u l i s ) . Regeneration of Sal is profuse and plentiful in suitable areas. Block plantations of Sal, Chir Pine and Teak also exist.
l Important Bird Area (IBA) with special birds l ike Chestnut-breasted Partridge (Arborophila mandellii), White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris), Ward's Trogon (Harpactes wardi), Rufous-n e c k e d H o r n b i l l ( A c e r o s nipalensis), Grey-crowned Prinia (Prinia cinereocapilla), Yellow-vented Warbler (Phylloscopus cantator), Rufous-throated Wren-babbler (Spelaeornis caudatus), Wedge -b i l l ed Wren -babb le r (Sphenocichla humei), Slender-b i l l e d B a b b l e r ( Tu r d o i d e s longirostris), White-naped Yuhina (Yuhina bakeri) Black-breasted P a r r o t b i l l ( P a r a d o x o r n i s flavirostris), Beautiful Nuthatch (Sitta formosa), Rusty-bellied S h o r t w i n g ( B r a c h y p t e r y x hyperythra)
l Animals include the Common Leopard, Common Palm Civet,
Crestless Porcupine, Rufous Tailed Hare, Chinese Pangolin, Lesser Cats, House Shrew, Fruit Bats, As samese macaque, Rhesus macaque, Common Langur, Golden Jackal, Eurasian Otter, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Serow, Orange Bellied Himalayan Squirrel and Gangetic Dolphin.
Description: Sikkim's showpiece tourism event, the Sikkim Winter Carnival will be celebrated as Red Panda Winter Carnival starting this year. Poster of the rechristened Winter Carnival was officially unveiled by Tourism minister Ugen T. Gyatso Bhutia, Gangtok MLA Pintso Chopel Lepcha, Mayor Shakti Singh Chaudhary in the capital today. Chief Minister Pawan Chamling inaugurated the carnival on January 23 when 50 people played various traditional instruments at M.G.Marg. The main objective of carnival is to increase the numbers of tourist in the State during the lean tourism season and also to promote Sikkim's culture, cuisine and organic
products while at the same time letting the tourist to chill out with the onset of the festive season.
Brief Report on the Event:
The Red Panda Winter Festival 2016
was inaugurated by Chief Minister
Pawan Chamling at Gangtok, East
Sikkim. Tourists in large numbers
turned up at the inaugural event also
attended by ministers and officials of
the state government, members of the
Gangtok Municipal Corporation and the
organising committee, tourism
stakeholders, officials and staff of the
Department of Tourism & Civil
Aviation.
Secretary for Tourism & Civil Aviation
Mr. C. Zangpo highlighted the success
of the Organic Festival and the Sikkim
Organic Mission. He also underlined
the 16.34% growth in the tourism
s e c t o r s i n c e 2 0 1 3 . To u r i s m
stakeholders of Sikkim, meanwhile,
felicitated Mr. Chamling for embarking
on successful ventures like the Kailash
Mansarovar Yatra via Sikkim, the
Sikkim Organic Mission and for
“diligently supporting and encouraging
the tourism sector in achieving greater
heights.” The mascot, the Red Panda,
led a cultural parade of the ethnic
communities of Sikkim, while the
Date: January 23 to 31, 2016
Venue: Gangtok, East Sikkim.
Organiser: Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Govt. of Sikkim
RED PANDA WINTER CARNIVAL 2016
3
gathering was treated to a spell-
binding performance of 30 maadals
(local drums) playing 26 beats.
The 11-day event, previously known as the Sikkim Winter Carnival, is an annual mega event held to showcase the ethnic culture, tradition and heritage of Sikkim and to promote the state's tourism sector nationally and internationally. Local musicians and
those from Nepal performed to an enthralled audience all the 11 days. The prominent performers from Nepal included Sabin Rai, Dharmendra Sewan, Nima Rumba, the Axe Band, Mingma Sherpa, Prashamsha Shrestha and the Edge Band. The Indian bands included Vinyl Records from Delhi, Soulmate from Shillong, Alobo Naga and the band from Nagaland and Indian
Idol 2007 Prashant Tamang. There was also a band from Ukraine called the Latino American Band. Meanwhile, Sikkim's own artistes included the Tapashri Dance Institute, Music in Motion Dance Academy, BRSTP Dance Crew, Himali Pratibha ko Khoj Dancers, Deenay Gazmer, Starship Dance Crew and Alfaaz Classical, among several others.
To compliment Sikkim Organic
Festival, an Organic Fair was organized
at Yangyang, South Sikkim on January nd rd22 and 23 , 2016. The event was
organized by Yangyang Tourism
Development Committee (YTDC); a car strally was also conducted on 21
January, 2016 as a pre-cursor to the
event. The car rally was flagged off by
former minister C.B. Karki in the
presence of other officials. The
organic fair had around 50 stalls by
ICAR, Clover Organics and Various
SHG's. The Hon'ble Prime Minister
Narendra Modi in his recent visit to
Sikkim declared Sikkim as the first fully
organic state of our country. He also
launched a book on Sikkim Organic
Mission in the National Conference on
'Sustainable Agriculture & Farmers
Welfare' held at Chintan Bhawan,
Gangtok east Sikkim. The other
dignitaries present at the conference
were chief minister Pawan Chamling
and the Union Minister of Agriculture
and Family Welfare, Radha Mohan
Singh. The prime minister urged the
people of Sikkim to keep the good work
going and applauded the efforts of the
local farmers as well as the Hon'ble
chief minister Pawan Chamling for
making Sikkim a chemical free state.
Organic produce of Sikkim, mostly
vegetables would not only fetch more
value for the Sikkimese farmers but
also offers multiple benefits to the
State. This Organic status is going to
supplement the ecotourism of Sikkim.
Tourism stakeholders of Sikkim are
convinced that Organic Mission when
connected with ecotourism would be a
double attract ion for tour i sts
YANGYANG ORGANIC FAIR 2016
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especially at homestays. Visitors can
enjoy the natural beauty of Sikkim but
also gain health benefits by consuming
organic products. The value of Sikkim
ecotourism is bound to enhance.
The Organic fair at Yangyang was held
to compliment the Sikkim Organic
Festival 2016 Held at Ridge park and
Saramsa Garden Gangtok which was
also examined by the hon'ble prime
m i n i s t e r N a r e n d r a M o d i a n d
appreciated dearly. The two venues
showcased a lot of organically
produced fruits and vegetables set up
in a very decorative manner. The local
flowers were also showcased in a array
of beautiful mixture. The stalls at
Ya n g y a n g O r a g n i c f a i r w e r e
handicrafts and handloom stall,
organic pulses stall, organic flour and
rice and many such stalls selling locally
produced organic goods. The Sikkim
co-operative milk producers union was
also selling their dairy products like
cheese, milk, curd, ice-cream and so
on. Apart from these there were
various stalls set to educate the
farmers and give them ideas on organic
farming. These stalls helped the
farmers to learn different methods on
farming which they were unaware of
and taught them economically viable
tricks to farm in a cost effective
manner.
The state of Sikkim has earned the title
of being a 100% Organic state in the
country. The efforts of the farmers to
achieve this feat will be a boon to the
people of Sikkim as our dependency on
the neighboring states will be reduced.
Going organic not only has economic
advantages but it is good for the
environment as well as the physical
health of the people. Therefore
showcasing the importance of the
organic mission was very necessary and
it proved to be beneficial for the
Farmers of Sikkim.
5
6
So busy are our lives these days that
weekends are the only times you get to
relax. Even that half of these
weekends go behind completing
pending office work, doing household
chores, and meeting social obligations.
If you have been spending week after
week behind all these things, it is high
time that you take some time out for
yourself to relax. Here are some
weekend holiday destinations that
which are popular as well as off beat.
(All destinations within 200 km from
Kolkata)
1. TAJPUR
If you are looking for a beach getaway
but want to avoid the maddening
crowds of Mandarmoni and Digha, then
Tajpur is the perfect spot for you.
Situated in East Mednipur district of
Bengal, it is at a distance of about 180
km from Kolkata. The secluded beach
at Tajpur will provide you peace and
serenity, and you can spend hours
strolling on the beach. Look out for the
beautiful little crabs that walk on the
sand, and spend the afternoons sipping
coconut water and eating fired fish
caught fresh from the sea.
How to Reach: Take the Route leading
to Digha and reach Balisai. Take a left
turn at the Balisai crossing and drive
forward to reach Tajpur.
2. JOYPUR FOREST
Joypur Forest, located at a distance of
140 km from Kolkata, is a great option
if you love forests. With an abundance
of Sal and Teak trees, the lush greenery
all around will soothe your eyes. There
is a watch tower in the forest, from
where you can catch glimpses of
spotted deer and elephants as well as a
variety of birds. Ideally, you can spend
one entire day in and around the
forest, and another day visiting local
s i g h t s e e i n g p l a c e s l i k e t h e
Mukutmanipur lake, the Kangsabati
Dam and the famous terracotta
temples of Bishnupur, all three of
which can be covered in a day trip from
the forest resort.
How to reach: Drive on the Burdwan-
Arambag Road and reach Bisnupur.
Joypur Forest is just 14km away.
3. MONCHASA
Located at a distance of 130 km from
Kolkata, Monchasa will be ideal
destination for you if you are looking
forward to leaving the busy humdrum
of city life and reconnecting with its
nature, even if it is just for a weekend.
Stay in eco friendly bamboo huts,
savour authentic Bengali cuisine made
from freshly picked vegetables and
freshly caught fish, visit the Ishani and
Naitri lakes, watch local cultural
performance or just sit on the banks of
the Bagda river and enjoy the cool
breeze.
Sweet Getaways WEST BENGAL
Image Source: flickr
Image Source: Tripadvisor
Image Source: gobengal.com
7
How to Reach: Take the Kalinagar
highway from Kolkata and reach
Kalinagar bus stop. Monchasa is a short
distance from the bus stop.
4. RAICHAK
A popular option among tourists,
Raichak is situated in the south 24
Parganas district of Bengal at a
distance of 50km from Kolakata.
Raichak offers magnificent views of
the Hoogly riverside and breathtaking
sunrises and sunset. The Raichak fort,
built in the British era, is a major
attraction here. You can also hop on to
the ferries for a ride to Gadiara or
Geonkhali, or even the nearby
Diamond Harbour. Apart from the
luxurious fort, there are various other
accommodation options available that
cater to every budget.
How to Reach: Drive along the
Diamond Harbour Road from south
Kolkata and take right turn at Sarisha
just before Diamond Harbour.
5. BELOON ECO VILLAGE
Beloon Eco Village is located at a
distance of about 175km from Kolkata.
Perfect for rejuvenating your senses,
your stay at this place will be simple
and full of activities different from city
life. Take a bullock cart to roam around
the village, watch boats sailing on the
Shibai River take a stroll along its banks
and be spell bound by the beautiful
sunsets. Go for fishing and rafting in
the nearby lake, and watch the
beautiful gangetic dolphins playing
around near kalyanpur Ghat. Stay in
the traditional mud houses, where you
can cook your own food as well. Bird
watching is another attraction here
and you can volunteer for various
social activities.
How to Reach: Take the Durgapur
Expressway and drive along the
Burdwan Kutwa road to reach the
Beloon Eco Village.
Image Source: TripadvisorImage Source: flickr
The release of Pamphlets on Eco Friendly Guidelines for Drivers and Tourists by ENVIS Centre Sikkim on Ecotourism during the Brain Storming Session for North
Eastern ENVIS Centres at Gangtok, 2016.
The ENVIS team:
Member Secretary
Dr. Anil Mainra, IFS
Co-ordinator
Mr. D.T. Bhutia
Additional Director, DST&CC
Sr. Programme Officer
Mr. Sherap N. Bhutia
IT Officer-cum-Research Assistant
Mr. Prabhakar Gurung
IT Assistant-cum-DEO
Ms. Kalzang Eden
Published byShri Anil Mainra, IFS,
secretary to the Govt. of Sikkim
Ex-Officio Member Secretary to the State Council of Science &
Technology for Sikkim
and
edited by
Shri Dorjee Thinlay Bhutia, Additional Director on behalf of
ENVIS centre Sikkim
on Eco-Tourism
As part of the programme on Environmental Information
System(ENVIS) to the
Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.
8
The inaugural session was chaired by Dr.
Thomas Chandy IFS, Pr. Secretary cum
PCCF, Forests, Environment & Wildlife
Management Department as the Chief
Guest. Shri Abhay Kumar, Dy. Economic
Advisor, MoEF&CC, GoI mentioned that
the current financial year 2016-2017 is ththe last year of 12 Five Year Plan and
from next year the ENVIS Scheme would
be continued on annual basis as the
planning commission has been dissolved
by the ministry. During the inaugural
session the chief guest released 'Eco-
Friendly Guidelines for Tourists and
Drivers' an exclusive pamphlet which
givies directions for tourists on how to be
environment friendly and do not cause
pollution which is published by Sikkim
ENVIS on Ecotourism, State Council of
Science and Technology. A book on
'Biotechnological Applications in India'
published by Prof. S.C. Santra, ENVIS
Coordinator, Kalyani University, West
Bengal.
Invitation for Article / Research paperDear Readers,Research papers / Articles related to ecotourism, climate change & mitigation are invited for free publication in the ENVIS newsletter. The same will be uploaded in the ENVIS website with due courtesy of the author.Terms and conditions for publication: - The article should not be published anywhere. - Closely related with ecotourism related subjects or climate change. - Full paper with abstract notes. - 650 to 700 words in English language. - High resolution pictures (3,4 nos.) of the topic.Note: Publication of the research paper/ article will be decided by the editorial board of the Newsletter.
Please send your valuable suggestions, queries, comments and articles to:The Coordinator,ENVIS centre Sikkim on Ecotourism,Vigyan Bhawan, Department of Science & Technology and Climate Change,Deorali, Gangtok, Sikkim. 737102Email: [email protected] call us @ (03592) 280025, 280002; Fax: (03592) 280004
This newsletter is aimed at disseminating ecotourism information and its related subjects among, environment enthusiasts, ecotourism stakeholders, students, researchers and public at large.
Disclaimer: the ideas and views expressed in the article in this Newsletter are solely of the writers and information derived from secondary sources.
Hence the centre holds no responsibility to errors in any kind.