Workshop brings Sikkim closer to formulating Ecotourism Policy

GANGTOK, 19 April: The Sikkim State Ecotourism Policy will be finalized by end-June and submitted to the State government for approval and implementation. Even as that happens, the final draft of the policy will be posted on the Forest Department’s official website on 05 May for comments and suggestions from the people, which will be incorporated into the final document tabled with the government.
This was informed during a workshop on the finalisation of Sikkim State Ecotourism Policy organised by JICA assisted by Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project [SBFP] at the Forest Department conference hall on Tuesday.

The financial projection for the SBFP is Rs 330 crores for a period of ten years to be implemented by the Forest Department in Sikkim.
The JICA consultant for Sikkim Ecotourism Policy, Kazuishi Watabe, gave a thorough presentation on the second draft of the state ecotourism policy today. The 10-page draft policy covers seven subjects.
He informed that suggestions and comments on the first draft of the project were included in the second draft [shared today] of the policy.
The main objective of the policy is to generate incentives for local communities for nature conservation through alternative income sources and livelihood and empower local communities to manage ecotourism.
Likewise, the Policy seeks “to conserve the existing biodiversity, ecosystems and religious monuments of the state as well as people’s culture and traditions, to delight and satisfy visitors to the state, to encourage children to enjoy excellent nature-based activities, to promote ecotourism in a sustainable manner and to encourage people in the state to understand nature conservation and their own culture.”
The policy is aimed at establishing Sikkim as the “ultimate and unique ecotourism destination”.
The draft policy has a total of six key principles which address all forms of ecotourism for the development, planning, management and promotion in the state followed by a fifth subject of the draft policy which contains the seven definitions related to Sikkim Ecotourism.
The draft proposal suggests that policy be implemented by a Sikkim Ecotourism Council functioning as an autonomous council with the Forest Department as an executing arm. The council will also have village-level cooperation systems like Eco-Development Committees, Joint Forest Management Committees, Pokhari Sanrakshan Samitis depending on the area, which will work in coordination with the panchayats.
The draft also suggests different organisational strategies, activities of Sikkim Ecotourism Council, role of Ecotourism Directorate and Forest Department.
Finally, it proposes 10 different strategies for Sikkim Ecotourism. This figure was seven, Mr Watabe informed, in the first draft.
These strategies include training and capacity-building, awareness and education on ecotourism, environmental conservation and waste management, zoning and modeling for the ecotourism sties and other general tourism sites, stakeholder partnership, promotion and marketing, microfinance, products development, benefiting the poor, infrastructure development and safety.
On the occasion, Mr Watabe also took in and replied to various comments and suggestions placed by the representatives of different organizations who attended the workshop.
Speaking to media persons after the workshop, the Forest and Tourism Minister, Bhim Dhungel, expressed his satisfaction on the subjects included in the draft policy.
He mentioned that the policy would be “the best” when finalized and deliver “high level satisfaction” as it has the benefit of international experience and feedback from local stakeholders.
The Minister mentioned that the policy will be framed and finalized within the 100 days time given by the Chief Minister to all the departments.
He mentioned that the policy will help the state carry out various ecotourism activities and also give a clear instruction on exactly what to do and what not to do.