The example of sustainable development of Eco tourism in Sikkim India

1. S. B. S. Bhadauria
IFS –Principal Secretary (Retd.)
R.cinnabarium
S.

2. Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation & Forests
Management Project (SBFP) JICA )
Major Components of SBFP
Forest
&
Biodiversity
Conservation
Ecotourism
Organizational
strengthening of Forest
Department
Joint Forest
Management
SBFP
R.campanaulatum

3. Taxus wallichiana
Rhododendron anthopogon
RICH IN BIODIVERSITY
Panax pseudoginseng
SIKKIM
Flowering Plants 4500
Orchids 515
Rhododendrons 36
Conifers 16
Bamboos 23
Ferns and Ferns allies 362
Tree Ferns 8
Primulas 60
Oaks 11
Medicinal Plants 424
Mammals 150
Birds 552
Butterflies 690
Fishes 48
Mountain & Peaks 28
Glaciers >38
Lakes and Wetlands 227
Rivers and Streams >104

4. Eco-tourism
Main Objectives:
1. Providing income generation
opportunities to local communities
2. Ensuring that the impacts of developing
ecotourism do not damage the
environment
Campsite at Zekthang, North Sikkim
Dombang valley

5. Objectives of Ecotourism
1. To Implement State Ecotourism Policy Objectives
2. Promote nature and cultural based activities keeping in mind social
acceptability, environmental & technical feasibility and economic viability
3. Establish linkages with eco-tourism based income generating assets/facilities,
services, activities and events
4. Facilitate conservation and management of natural treasures, traditions and
culture of Sikkim
5. Improve/upgrade/create eco-tourism related infrastructures/facilities
6. Build capacity and facilitate and create opportunities for all stakeholders
especially JFMC/EDC participation in Sustainable Livelihood activities.

6. Joint Forest Management (JFM)
• Aims at improving the management of forests and the
conservation of biodiversity through the engagement of
forest fringe communities.
• Provide opportunities to enhance their livelihood through
forestry, ecotourism and other IGAs
Serum Reserve Forest (Spruce Forest)

7. Vision of Sikkim Government
“To establish Sikkim as an ultimate and unique
ecotourism destination offering memorable and high
quality learning experiences to visitors, and to
contribute to poverty alleviation as well as to
promote nature conservation.”
HAVING REALIZED ‘TOURISM’
AS A MAJOR ENGINE OF
ECONOMIC GROWTH,
EMPLOYMENT GENERATOR &
POVERTY ALLEVIATOR,
THE GOVERNMENT OF
SIKKIM
HAS ENDORSED
TOURISM AS
“Thrust Sector”

8. Strengthening livelihoods through Ecotourism
Sustainable Forest
Management
Conservation of
Biodiversity
Benefits to local
communities
Bamboo basket making, Kecheopalri, West
Sikkim
WE GIVE
PEOPLE
MORE THAN
A GREAT
BANK
WE ALSO
GIVE THEM
HOPES FOR
A BRIGHTER
FUTURE
R.whiteae

9. ECOTOURISM LINKAGES WITH LIVELIHOOD
JFMC/EDC/SHG Members/Tour Operators/Homestay Owners/Hoteliers/Taxi
Drivers/Porters/Shopkeepers/Handicraft Makers/Artisan/Event Organizers and too many
FLOW OF ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO STAKEHOLDERS
RANGE OF PRODUCTS
Nature Based-Bird and Wildlife Watching, Rafting ,
Trekking, Nature Walk, etc.
Culture Based Products-Traditional Dance, Traditional
Events and Fair, Religious Interpretation
ESTABLISHMENT OF 11 ECO-ZONES IN STATE OF SIKKIM
Development/Improvement of Eco-Tourism Products Capacity Building of Various Stakeholders
STATE ECOTOURISM POLICY
International Strategies to Promote Marketing of
Products to International Tourists
National Strategies to Promote Marketing of Products to
Domestic Tourists

10. Ecotourism Zones/Villages/Link Areas identified under SBFP
Dzongu, North Sikkim
Kecheopalri, West Sikkim
Lachung,
North Sikkim
Uttarey,
West Sikkim
Lingee-Payong,
South Sikkim
Thangu,
Lachen
North Sikkim
Okhrey, West Sikkim
Kitam, South
Sikkim
Hee-gaon, West Sikkim
Nampong-Lingdok
East Sikkim
East Pandam-Karthok,
East Sikkim

11. Stakeholders of Ecotourism at the cluster level
Managers
Guides
Homestay
Transport
providers
Other
service
providers
R.glaucophyllum

12. Stakeholders’ consultation workshops
Dzongu, North Sikkim
Hee-gaon, West Sikkim Okhrey, West Sikkim
Kitam, South Sikkim
R.grande

13. Basic interpretive guide training
Dzongu, North Sikkim Okharey, West Sikkim
R.campanulatum

14. Birding guide training (Okharey)
R.glaucophyllum

15. Follow up interpretive guide training (Okharey)
R.decipiens

16. Convergence of components
Ecotourism
BD
conservation
JFM/EDC/SFG
Organizational
strengthening
R.sikkimensis Ecotourism
Ecotouris
m
villages
Tourism
Dept
All
ecotouris
m
stakehold
Forest
Dept

17. Yumthang Valley

18. West Sikkim Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary

19. R.campanulatum Nature trail