Workshop on ecotourism held at Melli Dara

NAMCHI, 17 Nov: A day-long workshop on Ecotourism for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources - livelihood, Joint Forest Management & Biodiversity Conservation was held today here at Melli Dara, South Sikkim.
Organized under the Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation & Forest Management Project (SBFP), the workshop had Minister Forests, Bhim Dhungel as the chief guest while Melli MLA, Tulsi Devi Rai was present as the special guest.
It was also attended by Upadhakshya South, Devi Maya Baraily, officers from the concerned department along with the members of various NGOs, EDC and JFMC.
While addressing the workshop Minister Mr. Dhungel spoke on the natural beauty of the state and highlighted the need to conserve it. Speaking on Sikkim topping the best regions to visit list published by Lonely Planet, he said that it is as achievement that people should be proud of. “There are people who are alleging that it was a paid article. Those who have set their mindset to critics will always do so, no one can change them. We should instead take it positively”, he said. The Minister further congratulated the Chief Minister on behalf of all the tourism stakeholders of Sikkim for the achievement.
Earlier, the workshop had started with the welcome address by APD-II, SBFP, Karma Legshey while CF (WL). Rushma Rai spoke on the importance of people’s participation in forest management. A skit on SBFP was also staged.
The Minister also launched the SBFP Publicity Van on the occasion.