Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja lays foundation stone for Chemchey heliport in South Sikkim
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7 Dec 2009 Chemchey, South Sikkim

The Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja today laid the foundation stone for the heliport at Chemchey, South District, Sikkim. This is first in the three heliport projects sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Tourism for construction of heliports. The other two are Geetang Khola in the West and Mangan in the North District.

The projects have been sanctioned with a view to promote tourist destinations in hilly, remote and inaccessible areas of the country. Speaking on the occasion, Kumari Selja said, it is heartening to note that for the first time in the country the State of Sikkim has been granted Central Financial Assistance for Heliport to develop three new destination projects. She said, the efforts of the State Government for taking lead towards promotion of adventure, eco and wellness tourism in the country are praise worthy.

Kumari Selja also inaugurated the Himalayan Adventure and Eco Tourism Centre at Chemchey. At the inauguration she said, adventure tourism, eco tourism and wellness tourism are the three niche segments of India’s tourism products and her ministry attaches great importance towards development and promotion of these segments. She said, India which was traditionally considered a cultural destination for several decades have now emerged as an important destination for adventure, eco and wellness holidays for discerning international travelers. She said, perhaps no other country in the world offers the variety of adventure opportunities, which India does.

She said, India is richly endowed with the natural diversity consisting of mountains, wildlife, natural parks, rivers and beaches which provides ample opportunities for pursuing eco holidays and adventure sports such as white water river rafting, para gliding, hot air ballooning, skiing, mountain biking, scuba diving, hiking-trekking and rock climbing. All these, the Minister said add to the multi-dimensionality of India’s tourism potential which is not very common in many parts of the world.