Newsletter Volume 14 Number 3 October-December 2016

ENVIS CENTRE

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F SCO IELI NC CN EU &O C T EE CT HAT N

S O LMI OK GKI YS INDIA

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S I K K I M On

ECOTOURISMISSN: 0974-6072

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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: scsts-env@nic.inOr 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.