China extends Rail network to Indian Border

China has extended its rail network in Tibet up to Xigaze, close to the Indian border in Sikkim, a step that would provide its military a strategic capability to easily move troops and weapons in the remote Himalayan region.

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The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the world's highest railway, will reach the residence of the Panchen Lama at Xigaze in Tibet, state-run Xinhua news agency said, emphasising on its political significance.

The Headquarters of China-backed 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu is based at Xigaze, also known as Shigatse, located close to the Sikkim border.

The 24-year-old Lama stays in Beijing as he holds a top position in China Buddhist Association.

The seat of Panchan Lama was regarded the second most revered in Tibet after the Dalai Lama. China gives a high-profile projection to Panchan Lama among the Tibetans.

The young Lama was nominated to national advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The Lhasa-Xigaze Railway which has an overall length of 253 km will be ready by October this year, Xinhua said.

The trains will run at a maximum speed of 120 km per hour, representing a run time of about two hours from the regional capital Lhasa to the region's second city.

All subgrade earthworks, bridges, culverts, tunnels and over 93 % of the track have been completed.

Currently it takes five hours by road to reach Shigatse from Lhasa.

Both cities are sacred for Tibetan Buddhists with important religious centers such as the Potala Palace, Tashihunpo Monastery and Jokhang Monastery.

"Besides saving time, the railway will be much more safe.

The current road is frequently troubled by seasonal natural disasters," said a construction foreman in the railway.

Local residents and tourists will have a smooth trip by rail, unimpeded by landslides in summer and ice in the winter, the worker told Xinhua.

The plateau railway is a particularly problematic construction with difficulties including an oxygen-poor environment, a delicate ecosystem, wildlife migrations and many complex environmental issues.

The 1,956 km long Qinghai-Tibet Railway began service in July 2006 and has positively impacted on Tibet's tourism, hospitality and manufacturing sectors.

China has built extensive network of transport infrastructure in Tibet raising concern in India as it provided strategic advantage to Beijing to move its troops to the borders fast.

Besides well laid highways and rail networks, China built five 'airports' in the Himalayan region so far. The development prompted India to initiate road development along the over 4000 km disputed border area

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All 6,10,577 inhabitants in Sikkim have latrines with high sanitation and hygiene standards. The Himalayan state has constructed 98,043 individual household latrines

All 6,10,577 inhabitants in Sikkim have latrines with high sanitation and hygiene standards. The Himalayan state has constructed 98,043 individual household latrines 

Sikkim eyes to double tourists flow to Kanchenjunga

IANS     |     March 2, 2014     |     World     |     0 Comments

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New Delhi: The Sikkim government has taken a number of steps to strengthen infrastructure and improve facilities to attract tourists to the Kanchenjunga, India’s highest peak in the Himalayas, state tourism minister said.

According to Sikkim Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel, around eight lakh tourists visit the state annually to have a glimpse of five sacred peaks of Kanchenjunga and the number is likely to go up to 15 lakh in next five years.
The minister said the government has taken a number of steps to improve infrastructure and ensure modern tourism facilities, with a view to attract higher number of visitors.
“The government has started 15 minutes’ helicopter service from state capital Gangtok to provide visitors breathtaking views of the pristine beauty of sacred peaks, which assume different colours during different times of the day,” Dhungel said in a statement here.
The helicopter service is available round the year on demand. Last year, 400 such mountain flights were organised and the government intends to increase the frequency of Kanchenjunga flights to 1,000 a year in next five years.
Located at 28,169 feet (8,586 metres) from sea level, the Kanchenjunga is the highest Himalayan peak in India and the third tallest in the world. It can be viewed from most part of Sikkim and attracts a large number of domestic as well as international tourists.
The Kanchenjunga is considered a sacred mountain by the natives of Sikkim and is the guardian deity of the Sikkimese people.
Dhungel said Sikkim has the potential to become the Switzerland of the East and the government is taking all possible steps to capitalise on the state’s natural beauty.
Tourism is a key contributor to Sikkim’s economy. The government is focusing on attracting new segments of tourists and trying hard to provide more options for the adventure tourists who constitute about 70 percent of the market.
“We will strengthen the tourism infrastructure at vintage points at Rabong, Kaluk, Mangan and Pelling by providing various incentives and facilities to hospitality sector for setting up new home stay units, village resorts and yatri niwas (tourist inns) to provide additional accommodation facilities for visiting tourists,” said the minister.
He said the government would also provide modern facilities at Kaluk, Tashi view point, Mangan and Pangthang base points from where clear view of all 28 snow capped peaks can be seen.

Read more: http://www.mizonews.net/world/sikkim-eyes-to-double-tourists-flow-to-kanchenjunga/#ixzz2usLCXl7F

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Gangtok, 1st March: State Level Sammelan for Panchayats and Urban local bodies was held today at Manan Kendra, Gangtok. 

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Mr Pawan Chamling reiterated the policy of the Government to make Sikkim a kutcha house free state by 2015, and urged the concerned departments as well as Panchayats to ensure timely implementation of schemes like CMRHM and REDRH. He called on the Panchayats to clearly communicate the government's programmes and policies to the people to avoid any disillusionment. Mr Chamling maintained that Sikkim boasts of being the only state in the country to spend majority of its budget on welfare schemes. He also informed that Sikkim is the only State to register a swift decline in poverty rate. He went on to share his government's vision to make Sikkim a poverty-free state in the coming years. The Chief Minister also shared that the Net State Domestic Product of the State which stands at 17% is the highest in the country.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the progress made by the State in sectors like hydro-electricity generation, Eco-tourism, organic farming, industries and urbanisation. In order to maintain and sustain these rapidly growing sectors the Government has laid maximum impetus on human resource development, he added.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that the Governement has made distinct policies to empower the cooperative sector and urged the Panchayats to strictly intervene in case of any discrepancy in the implementation of public work. 

In the course of his address the Chief Minister also made a few announcements of decisions taken in the recent Cabinet meeting. He announced that the  cadres of the Rural Development Assistants have been reviewed by the government duly ensuring proper promotional avenues to them. He also announced that the monthly honorarium of Gram, Zilla and the Urban Local Bodies have also been reviewed and doubled by the government w.e.f. 1st April 2014.

Earlier, the Chief Minister was felicitated by the State Institute of Rural Development, Karfectar. 

The Programme was also addressed by Minister RMDD Mr C.B. Karki and Secretary RMDD Mr. D.R. Nepal. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Director Panchayat Mr H.B. Gurung.