IRF to close with promotion of ecotourism in West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 20 March: Forest Department is all set to promote the natural attractions and tourism potential of undiscovered destinations in West Sikkim as part of the month-long closing ceremony of the International Rhododendron Festival 2010-11 scheduled to be held from 25 March to 22 April.
During this 29-day long festival, a series of new activities and events will be hosted at Rhododendron Sanctuary, Hilley, Dodak, Soreng, Hee-Khola, Rinchenpong, Uttarey, Pelling, Darap, Hee-Bermiok, Dentam and other parts in West Sikkim, it was announced today.
Addressing a press conference today, the Forest Minister, Bhim Dhungel, who also holds the tourism portfolio, stressed that the State government has been trying to create more opportunities for the people by promoting eco-tourism.

The event is more collaborative this time, with tourism stakeholders of West district having come forward to take on the organizational requirements of the festival in their respective areas.
The aim of the festival is to develop and promote eco-tourism in Rhododendron-rich regions, providing ‘close to nature’ experience, exploration of areas with eco-tourism potential and employment generation.
During the festival, visitors will receive a rare chance to watch around 36 species of Rhododendron in bloom in west district.
The closing ceremony is scheduled to begin at Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Hilley, with a food festival, traditional cultural shows and exhibition by Daramdin Tourism Development Cooperative Society from 25 to 27 March.
Other attractions of the festival will be helicopter joy-rides at Dodak, organized by the Soreng-Chakung Tourism Development Committee on 04 April followed by a Wildlife Safari from Phuncheybong to Hee-Khola by the Rinchenpong Tourism Development & Management Committee on 12 April.
Likewise, Uttarey Eco-Tourism Development and Service Cooperative Society is organizing Trout Angling [Catch and Release] at Uttarey along with trekking from Barsey to Uttarey on 15 April, while a new trekking route from Timburbong to Barsey via Jhandidara will be launched by the Soreng-Chakung Tourism Development Committee on 12 April.
Pelling Tourism Development Association is providing a Barsey Rhododendron sight-seeing package on 17 April and then pilgrimage tourism in Rani Dhunga on 12 April and there will be traditional food festival by Darap Eco-Tourism Committee on 28 March.
The Hee-Bermiok Tourism Heritage Conservation Society is organizing an international level paragliding event from 03 to 07 April and trekking and mountain biking from Red Panda gate to Barsey on 07 and 08 April.
A trek from Buriakhop to Barsey will be organized by Guranskunj Cooperative Society on 13 April followed by another trekking expedition from Yuksom to Dzongri by KCC of Yuksom.
Finally, the Maneybong-Dentam Apex Tourism Cooperative Society at Uttarey will wind up the closing ceremony from 19 to 22 April with a food festival, traditional cultural shows, exhibition and yak/horse riding.
The Minister mentioned that through such activities, the government is trying to showcase Sikkim’s rich natural resources along with the cultural, traditional and food heritage of the state to the world.
He added that the International Rhododendron Festival has been very successful with Lachung alone reporting a 40% increase in tourist flow due to the festival. Other states and Ministries have also appreciated the festival, he added.
The Minister stressed that the department has done enough advertisement online as well as through brochures along with through Tourism Information Centres at different states and tourism offices overseas.
He also mentioned that seeing the success of the IRF, now, the Department was planning to organize a Cherry Festival next year.
The International Rhododendron Festival was inaugurated at Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary in Yumthang on 25 March last year.
During the festival, an international conference was also organized at Saramsa Garden on 29 March last year, in which delegates from different countries presented papers on Rhododendron: Conservation and Sustainable Use.
[SAGAR CHHETRI]