Workshop announced to review and adopt State Ecotourism Policy

GANGTOK, 17 April [IPR]: The Department of Forests, Environment and Wildlife Management has announced plans to organize a workshop on 19 April, Tuesday, at the Forest annex here to “review and adopt” a new State policy for Ecotourism before the final document is approved by the State government for implementation.
The drafting of the policy document has been undertaken by a 14-member committee headed by Forest Minister Bhim Dhungel who also holds the tourism portfolio. The committee obtained inputs on the first draft policy through public consultation in all the four districts in October 2010 along with inputs from the stakeholders.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supported the developing of the policy by providing the services of a Japanese consultant, Kazuishi Watabe, and will contribute to the development of the ecotourism sector in Sikkim through the Rs 330 crore Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project which is being implemented in Sikkim by the Forest Department.

The workshop will be attended by representatives from government agencies, local tourism bodies, tour and hotel operators, JICA representatives and national and international consultants.
Sikkim’s potential for ecotourism has remained largely untapped and the ecotourism policy will serve as a roadmap to promote ecotourism in a way that provides direct benefits to local communities while preserving the cultural and biodiversity resources.