Gangtok Nov 9
A review meeting to discuss the 1st draft on ‘eco-tourism policy’ was organized at Forest Department conference hall on Tuesday by Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project (SBFP) under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

JICA consultant Mr. Kazushi Watabe said in his presentation that the key principles of Sikkim ecotourism are inclusive of the definition of eco tourism in Sikkim. This would generate incentives for local communities to conserve nature, manage eco tourism, and conserve existing biodiversity, ecosystem and religious monuments of the state as well as the culture and tradition of the state. It will also encourage children to enjoy nature based activities.
Eco tourism of Sikkim, Mr. Watabe said, involves traveling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with specific objectives of learning, admiring and enjoying nature and its wild plants, animals as well as the local cultural aspects including religious monuments, while conserving the natural and social environment.

Mr. Watabe also presented the strategies of eco tourism to be adopted by the state in making it successful and sustainable. He stressed on capacity building, zoning and modeling eco tourism sites and other tourism sites with other stake holders. The government will also cooperate in promotion/ publicity and marketing, product development and infrastructure development. He asked for suggestions to make the policy viable and truly sustainable.

District Collector, East said that people have heard of eco tourism time and again but its real meaning has not been captured by many. He also said that once this policy is put into place it will be much easier for the implementers to follow a unified path. He said that the policy is in a formative stage and suggestions from all the stakeholders will help in making it more effective. Project Director SBFP, Dr. Anil Minra was also present along with member secretary, ecotourism (SBFP) Mr. N W Tamang and representatives of various stake holders like TAAS, SATO, JFMC and other NGOs.

 

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