Ecotourism in the Mountains of Sikkim, India

by The Mountain Institute

What's at Stake?

The Himalayan state of Sikkim, which was only recently opened to tourism, is one of the two most biodiverse areas in India. It contains the world's third highest mountain peak (Khangchendzonga: 8,545 meters) which is revered as the protective deity of Sikkim and renowned for its rhododendrons, diverse flowering plants, birds and numerous other wildlife.

Threats to Sikkim's biodiversity include agricultural land conversion, road construction, over-collection of forest products and fuel wood collection. A partially constructed hydroelectric project is also present near a key project site.

To counter these threats and to build on the opportunity to provide benefits to local communities, the project team is working with a local association of trekking businesses (TAAS) and local communities to strengthen community-based ecotourism opportunities at three sites around Khangchendzonga National Park. These sites include Yuksam, the trekking trail to Dzongri and Goechhectare La, settlements around Kecheopalri Lake, and Pelling near Pemayangtse Monastery. This project is particularly timely as the state government is eager to promote tourism through the development of policies that minimize the problems that neighboring states have experienced as a result of the rapid development of the tourism sector.

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