ADB sanctions $20 million for developing Sikkim as Buddhist circuit destination


GANGTOK, November 19: The growing popularity of Sikkim as a Buddhist circuit destination has been endorsed by Asian Development Bank (ADB) who is ready to bankroll a project worth 20 million US dollars for Sikkim centric Buddhist circuit in India.

The ADB project was cleared by the bank board on November 16 where India will receive a loan of $20 million from Asian Development Bank(ADB) for its tourism infrastructure development projects, which will improve key tourism sites in the country.

The creditline is specifically aimed at developing Buddhist sites in Sikkim. The State tourism will act as the executing agency and project is likely to be completed by September 2014.

The concept clearance for the project ‘South Asia Tourism Infrastructure Development Project – India’ was given by ADB on September 30, 2008 after the fact finding mission took place from September 1, 2008 to September 6, 2008. The appraisal of the report was done in February-March earlier this year before the project was cleared by the board on November 16.

In the South Asia tourism infrastructure development project component of India, the project focuses on Sikkim where the report points out that Sikkim has a good road connection to Bagdogra, a regional hub and an airport site with potential links to North Bangladesh, East Nepal, Bhutan, and other North Eastern states.

Sikkim is part of the sub-regional Buddhist circuit and the Great Himalayan Trail, the ADB project states adding that the State has been experiencing high tourism growth rates at an average of 15% per annum at the aggregate, with international increase at 10% per year.

The ADB project for the Sikkim state of India involves creation of access and on site infrastructure and visitor facility improvements to well known Rumtek monastery, nature based tourism destination infrastructure and facilities including trail development, signages, sanitation improvements and other tourist facilities.

Funds would be utilized for setting up a sub-regional training institute to be specialized in ecotourism and mountaineering in Sikkim and also for related capacity building activities for public sector institutions and communities in tourism and heritage management.

Of late Sikkim has been attracting international interest as a Buddhist circuit hub thanks to the initiatives taken by the State government to promote Sikkim as an all-round tourist destination. The State government has already set up the world highest statue of Guru Pamdasambhava at Samdruptse in Namchi, South Sikkim.

Presently, works are going on a warfooting to complete the Sakyamuni project which envisages installation of the statue of Lord Buddha at Manichokerling monastery in Rabong, South Sikkim. The statue in a sitting position would be of 148 feet from the base to the top including the throne and is expected to be the highest Buddha statue in the world.

The project is expected to complete by next year.

Already the project has garnered international attention when thirteen relics of Lord Buddha from 13 different countries were handed over to the Sakyamuni project on November 25 last year by the team of Thai monks led by the Venerable Jamnian Chonsakhorn Seelasettho, the chief of priests of the Thai monastery leading the delegation. The relics had been offered by Somdet Phra Nyanasaamvara, the 19th Supreme patriarch of the kingdom of Thailand.

Recently in the month of October, a seven member core committee headed by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling as its chairman was reconstituted for overseeing the project.
Former minister and presently Advisor, Ecclesiastical Affairs, DD Bhutia is the vice-chairman of the committee with Barfung MLA Sonam Gyatso Bhutia as a member.

The other members of the committee are Chief Secretary TT Dorji, Additional Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso Bhutia and District Collector (South) AK Singh while principal secretary, Ecclesiastical department is the member secretary.
Meanwhile, the funding agency has also noted that though the South Asia region comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and the Northeastern States of India is one of the poor regions of the world, the sub-region has vast and diverse cultural and natural resources and the many of the world’s major Buddhist sites which potentially position it as a world destination for spiritual and culture and nature-based tourism.

During 1999 to 2006, international tourist arrivals in the participating countries had grown at an average rate of 8%, much higher than the world average. The subregion received 3.7 million visitors in 2006 representing an increase of 118% from 2002 arrivals. Tourism plays a vital role in the sub-region’s socio-economic development. It generates much needed foreign exchange.

The expected impact of the proposed project is sustainable and inclusive economic growth and reduced poverty in the subregion and the expected outcomes of the project are increased arrivals and length of stay of tourists, seasonally and geographically diversified and expanded tourism and consequent greater incomes and wider distribution of benefits from tourism to the sub-regions communities, and enhanced natural and cultural heritage management in the sub-region.

source:sikkim express