SIKKIM: Hues of red to start tour festive year – Sikkim in bloom

by Prabin Khaling

Gangtok, April 20: Sikkim has rolled out the “red carpet” for its Year of Tourism celebrations, which will start with a rhododendron festival to be attended by flower experts from seven European countries, besides Bhutan and Nepal.

Ushering in the year, the International Rhododendron Festival will kick off on April 25 in the high altitude areas of North Sikkim.

Sikkim accounts for 72 per cent of the country’s rhododendrons and has 36 species of the plant. In summer, the state is carpeted in hues of mostly red, the trees being in full bloom.

Seeking to cash in on this rich natural resource, the state government has visualised and initiated the festival to increase the tourist footfall. The year-long event will be inaugurated at Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary — the repository of over 30 species — in North Sikkim.

“Other natural habitats of rhododendrons like Lachen, Zema, Thangu and Tholung Kesongla in North Sikkim, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary in East Sikkim and Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary in West Sikkim will be covered under the festival,” said state forest secretary S.T. Lachungpa.

Although the festival will end in Singba park on May 15, the closing ceremony will be held at Barsey in April next year. “The festival is aimed at generating awareness and promoting conservation of Sikkim’s rich heritage of rhododendrons at a global level,” said Lachungpa.

He also highlighted the importance of forests for the promotion of tourism and its benefits for the people living in the fringe areas.

Nearly 15 experts on rhododendrons from European countries like Germany Denmark, Sweden and Norway are participating in the inaugural function of the festival.

“Usually the rhododendrons are in flower from the second week of May but this time, the plants in North Sikkim are already in full bloom. Tourists should not miss such a feast for the eyes,” said Lachungpa.

The festival has been integrated with eco-tourism, adventure and culture. The Travel Agents’ Association of Sikkim is actively participating in the programme to make the event a success along with the other stakeholders. The association is organising a mountain biking on the inaugural day when riders will have to negotiate 22km of dirt tracks from the Singba sanctuary to Shiva Mandir, Yumthang.

Events like treks along the thick rhododendron groves, food festival and angling are also on the festival menu.

Governor M.K. Narayanan has consented to inaugurate the festival, said the organisers.

source; the telegraph