Golitar being developed for eco-tourism

GANGTOK, 05 Dec: Development of Eco-Tourism at Golitar in Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary, a project to develop the area as the best eco-tourism destination near the State capital has been initiated by the East Wildlife Division, Department of Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management.

The project with an estimated cost of Rs 3.94 crore is being funded by the North East Council [NEC]. It was informed that the entire amount would be born by the NEC as financial assistance in which Rs 1.24 crore has been sanctioned and after completion of the first phase the second installment will be released by the NEC.
As an example of power decentralization and public participation, all the works of the project are being carried out by the members of Pangthang Eco Development Committee [EDC] of the Sikkim Forest Development Agency.
An architect will be assisting the EDC in selecting location and designing the project components while other necessary inputs are being provided by the East Wildlife Division and Forest Department.
The project aims at conservation of bio-diversity of the sanctuary, empowerment of local people, promotion of eco-tourism, better management of the sanctuary and to promote eco-tourism in the state.
Work on the project started two weeks back and is scheduled to be completed in 2013. Forest Minister, Bhim Dhungel, visited the project site and inspected the components and ongoing works today.
The Minister was accompanied by PCCF-cum-Secretary, ST Lachungpa, Chief Wildlife Warden, Manjeet Singh, Additional PCCF cum Project Head of JICA Dr. Anil Mainra, Anil Mainra, DFO East [WL], Ravi Kumar, ACF, ST Bhutia and other officials of Forest Department.
Nature Interpretation Centre-cum-Office, NIC-cum-Reception Centre, Eco-Huts at Golitar, Forest Guard Barrack at Golitar, 1.067 KM approach road, compounded and WBM road [chiseled dressed stone/scaling] from Railgaon area to Golitar, construction of parking yard, footpath, viewing deck, cafeteria, Gazebo, traditional entry gate, development of a lake at Golitar, external electrification and external water supply are included in the project.
The Minister expressed his satisfaction on the ongoing works and on the different components of the project. Speaking to media persons today, Mr Dhungel informed that with the completion of this project this will be the best eco-tourism destination near Gangtok.
He said that this project is also the materialization of the Chief Minister’s dream to make Sikkim an eco-friendly tourist destination and decentralization of power to the grassroot level, as the project is an example of complete people’s participation.
He further mentioned that it is a people-oriented and conservation-oriented project as it will help local people to be self-reliant and it would also create employment for the local unemployed youth.
It was informed that after the completion of the project all the infrastructural facilities will be managed and maintained by the Pangthang EDC which will develop human resource among local people, provide employment to local educated youth and involve them in the management of the sanctuary.
The Minister also directed the department to provide training and exposure to local EDC members in different skills to prepare them to take advantage of all opportunities created by the government. He also suggested to the local people to fulfill all the demands of the project through their local and organic produce.
The project is very viable as it is situated near Gangtok and has been attracting tourists due to its view of the entire Khangchendzonga Range and abundant natural resources, he mentioned.
The destination is ideal for wildlife sighting, bird watching, sighting butterflies and also has the Tinjurey trekking trail to Tumin, Rumtek and Dhanbari. The project also seeks to create a conservation oriented approach among the user agencies, create baseline data for future management, develop human resource for future management, create excellent interpretation facilities and scientific disposal of garbage.
Pangthang EDC president, Shiva Kumar Chettri, said that the development of the project will create more opportunities for the young generation of the area in tourism. He further expressed that the local people have in-depth knowledge of the area, which could be used to generate livelihood and to be self-reliant.