GANGTOK: One in every four persons in Sikkim now lives in urban areas, according to a provisional census report.

"A total of 1,51,726 people out of Sikkim's total population of 6,07,688 live in nine towns of the Himalayan state. This is 24.97 per cent of the state's total population," data released here on Sunday by Directorate of Census Operations said.

A total of 79,539 men and 72,187 women live in the towns of the state, according to the data.

East district of Sikkim with four major towns has the largest urban population which is 79.59 per cent of the total urban population.

The percentage of decadal growth stands at 12.36 per cent. While the rural population has fallen by 5.2 per cent, the urban population of Sikkim has shot up by 153.43 per cent, the officials said.

The population of North district of Sikkim has fallen by 2.7 per cent in rural areas in the past 10 years while the urban population has grown by 272.44 per cent.

The maximum urbanisation has taken place in South district of the state at 434.44 per cent and the minimum in East district at 128.47 per cent.

The growth population in the two other districts of North and West are 272.44 per cent and 187.23 per cent respectively.

A total of 4.55 lakh of Sikkim's population resides in rural areas.

Nathu La border trade-V from May 3

No revision of trade items, traders optimistic of good season


GANGTOK, April 19: The fifth season of the Nathu La border trade between Sikkim and Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is scheduled to commence from May 3 till November 30 for this year.

An IPR release informs that the trade beginning from May 3 will remain open four days a week-Monday to Thursday-from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm as per Indian time and from 10 am to 6 pm as per Chinese time.

The release further informs that there has been no change in the trade items and the present list remains same ie 29 exportable items from India to TAR and 15 items from TAR to India through the Nathu La border trade.

As per the IPR release, the traders from Sikkim exported items worth Rs. 135 lakhs while the TAR traders could export items worth Rs. 2.96 lakhs only during the last season.

Since the term border trade is to be construed that the trade is opened for the people of the border area only for the items produced in local area of limited value, the Government of India has fixed the currency value limited to Rs 1 lakh per day per trader from 2007-08, it is informed.

The State Commerce & Industries department has also advised the DC (East) to issue the trade passes at the earliest to enable the traders to prepare for the border trade.

Till today, a total of 135 local traders have already applied for trade passes to the East District Administration.

Meanwhile, local traders here have expressed their hopes of a good trading season despite non-fulfillment of the demand for revision of trade items.
“Though the list of items have remained same, the trade volume over the years have increased along with the number of traders participating in the border trade”, said local trader Anil Kumar Gupta. He added that the traders are expecting export business more than Rs. 2 crores this season.

At the same time, traders here have reiterated their demand for the revision of the trade items so that traders from both sides could benefit.
Along with the State government, both Sikkimese and TAR traders have been demanding the Centre to revise the list by including more feasible and marketable commodities.

As per the bilateral agreement, there are 29 exportable items like tea, spices and biscuits which are allowed to be exported to TAR by the Sikkim traders while there are only 15 items like wool, goat skins and sheep skins which can be imported from TAR to India through the Nathu La border trade.

The State government and traders of Sikkim and TAR had been contending that these items especially those allowed to be imported from TAR are obsolete and have no market value. The State government had been repeatedly demanded for inclusion of local products of Sikkim like handicrafts and cash crops for the border trade.
It may be recalled that Lok Sabha member from Sikkim, PD Rai had told reporters on Saturday before leaving for New Delhi that the State government has been pressing ahead with the Centre for expansion of trade items for the Nathu La border trade. He informed that he will be taking up the matter with the concerned Ministry in the Centre.

“The demand is under advanced stage of consideration and we are hoping that something positive will come out”, Rai had said. He also expressed his hopes that at least some amendments in the present list of items will be taken up.
However, traders here were of the view that revision of trade items could take place after the border trade infrastructure is completed in the Indian side.
Presently, the Border Road Organization (BRO) is widening the 51 kms Jawaharlal Nehru Marg connecting Gangtok with the Nathu La border. The Jawaharlal Nehru Marg double laning project had started from 2007 and is estimated to cost around Rs. 780 crores.

Sikkim Chamber of Commerce (SCC) president SK Sarda said that whenever the Centre is approached over the demand, the officials inform that the file is in process.
Sarda said that while the SCC remains hopeful for revision of the trade items soon, traders would be benefiting more from the next season when the Nathu La border trade completes five years. As per the bilateral agreement, the border trade is supposed to be declared as an international trade which means import and export of more items can be done after paying custom duty like in Mumbai and Kolkata ports, he said.

SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT. PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE KHANGCHENDZONGA TOURIST VILLA-CUM-SOCIO-CULTURAL AMUSEMENT PARK ON 15TH APRIL, 2010.

PIB | 15 April 2010 |
Ladies and Gentlemen,


Inauguration of Tourist Villa cum Socio Cultural Amusement Park at Ranka
I am extremely pleased to be in Sikkim and am deeply touched by the warm welcome accorded to me. The beauty of the State with the majestic Kangchenjunga in the background, as also its friendly and peaceful people has made a profound impression on me. I convey to the people of Sikkim my very warm greetings.

I am happy to inaugurate the Khangchendzonga Tourist Villa-cum-Socio-Cultural and Amusement Park, which has been created in a manner that will not only make tourists comfortable, but also give them the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the local culture and lifestyle. I would also like to congratulate the Government of Sikkim for the vision and foresight to have conceptualized and created this world class tourism infrastructure, in a time-bound manner.

I am happy that the State is developing rapidly as a tourist destination and, over the past few years, there has been a phenomenal increase in the inflow of both domestic and foreign tourists. The reasons for Sikkim being a very popular tourist destination are many. It is a land steeped in legend and tradition. It is often referred to as the land of the hidden paradise, because of its scenic mountains, valleys and forests that are blessed with rivers, lakes and waterfalls. It offers options of mountaineering, trekking and adventure sports. It has potential for village, religious and eco-tourism. The growth of tourism has been possible because of the peace loving people of Sikkim, and I complement them. Tourism can be a leading sector in Sikkim both in terms of generating revenue and in creating work opportunities. It is, however, important to develop a sustainable model for tourism that is conducive for the development of the State and benefits the local people. The youth of the State can be given proper training so that they can find employment in this sector, which in turn will benefit with better management skills.

I am glad that as a part of the Year of Tourism 2010, the Government of Sikkim is organizing the International Rhododendron Festival with a view to create awareness that the original habitat of this flowering plant are the Himalayas. I am told that an ancient folk tale, often narrated here, is about ‘Kemo Reep’ a species of the Rhododendron. Such is your deep relationship with nature. Sikkim’s variegated fauna and flora with its many species of plants, flowers and trees which are a rich repository of medicinal and aromatic herbs have made it one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. Its natural splendor and ecology are still unspoilt. I do hope that this respect towards the environment is carried forward through generations, so that the incredible beauty and peace of this land is preserved.

Sikkim is a multi-ethnic society and it is admirable the way people live together in harmony. Indeed, pluralism is one of the very basic characteristics of our nation and it is our strength. It is my wish that harmony, peace, growth and prosperity reach every part of the country and every section of society. All states, all regions and all citizens are a part of the effort to build a strong and democratic country. The progress and prosperity of India will only be achieved when each and every of its states progress.

Sikkim with its many natural resources and good social indicators is a contributor to national growth. Sikkim has also shown that while moving on the path of development, we can retain our distinctive culture and maintain ecological balance. I recall giving the first Nirmal Rajya Award to Sikkim in 2008, when it became the first State in the country to achieve 100 percent sanitation. I am told that the State Government is now moving towards providing housing to all by next year, and to make Sikkim a poverty free State by 2015. These are important objectives. I congratulate and pay compliments to the Chief Minister of Sikkim for setting these goals, and am confident that with political guidance, time bound implementation and proper monitoring, these targets will be achieved.

In our country, education has become a fundamental right for all children between the ages of 6 to 14 years. This will be important for Sikkim, a State which has 60 percent of its population below 24 years. Our endeavor is to make our youth energetic and educated. They must have the knowledge and the ability to work, earn and most importantly, contribute to the development of the nation. The literacy rate here is good, but efforts towards reducing school drop outs and ensuring the girl child goes to school must continue, as also to create higher education facilities. I am very happy that during the course of my stay in Sikkim, I would be participating in the first convocation of Sikkim University. I call upon young people to take full advantage of opportunities that are before them.

With 64 percent of the population of the State dependent on agriculture there is need to focus on rural development, on enhancing agricultural productivity and on increasing the income levels of the rural population. The climate obtaining here is conducive for cultivation of a range of crops, flowers and fruits. Agro based industries close to rural areas will lead to value addition at the local level and provide employment.

I believe that all sections of society must be included in the development process so that they all prosper. I am told that women, who constitute about 47 percent of the population of Sikkim, are hard working and enterprising. They should be provided opportunities to progress and to be financially secure. I would also like to emphasize the need for establishing vocational training institutes for women. They must also be encouraged to set up their own small enterprises through Self Help Groups.

In conclusion, I would like to once again convey my good wishes to the gentle and wise people of the State. Dances are an integral part of Sikkimese culture and the performances today vividly depicted their variety and grace. With these words, I once again thank the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Government and the people for the hospitality and warm welcome.

Thank You.
Jai Hind!

WHITE PAPER ON HYDRO POWER IN SIKKIM LAID IN SLA

SIKKIM: ‘8000 MW, ONLY WAY OUT’ – White paper recommends expeditious harnessing of 8000 MW hydro potential of Sikkim

GANGTOK, July 30: A voluminous white paper on hydropower resources of Sikkim tabled by the State Government in the State Assembly today has opined that Sikkim must expedite the development of its 8000 MW hydropower resources as the ‘only way out’ to meet the Millennium Developmental Goals set forth.

“The considered opinion emerging from the analysis of this report is that Sikkim must expedite the development of its hydropower resources at a faster pace. Utilize the hydropower revenue for the social, educational, economic and other developmental aspects of its people. That is the only way out, if Sikkim wants to lead other States in the country in speedy development and meeting the Millennium Developmental Goals set forth”, states the white paper tabled by State power minister Sonam Gyasto Lepcha on the concluding day of the budget session today in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

Prepared by Entecsol International, the 209 pages white paper in its executive summary said that the white paper on the development of hydropower resources of Sikkim is aimed at examining the State of economy, hydropower resources and the status of their development in Sikkim.

The white paper claims that it also examines the steps taken by the government for facilitating and expediting the development of its hydropower resources and the constraints, issues and challenges faced by the government in exploiting this resource. It evaluates the potential financial and economic benefits that Sikkim can harness from the development of its hydropower resources and exporting the surplus energy to other parts of the country.

Out of the total hydropower potential of Sikkim of 8000 MW, the total installed capacity as on March 31 this year is only 610.7 MW.
The State government has awarded 24 hydropower projects at a total estimated installed capacity of around 4,694 MW to various developers out of which, 2,081 MW is expected to be commissioned within the 11th Plan and remaining within the 12th Plan.

All the projects are run of the river schemes.

In its recommendations, the white paper called for immediate structural changes in the State power sector for efficient management of the Sikkim power sector coupled with the need to manage a quantum jump in the development of hydropower resources from the existing level of about 200 MW to 8000 MW. The white paper has recommended that the State government should establish two corporate bodies fully owned by the State government-Sikkim Hydro Power Corporation Ltd (SHPC) and Sikkim Transmission and Distribution Corporation Ltd (SPDCL). It has also recommended that Sikkim Power Development Corporation Ltd which has not met the objectives for which it was set up should be wound up by transferring its assets to SHPC.

The SHPC will manage all the existing generation stations in the State and also handle the entire power allocation, sale and purchase of electricity presently handled by the State power department, the white paper recommends.

On the other hand, the proposed SPDCL will manage the existing and the proposed transmission and distribution systems in the State.

“The State should also come out with its Hydro Power Policy as suggested in the conclusions and recommendations chapters of this report”, states the white paper. It has also recommended that a State level Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy that matches the provisions in the Central government’s concerned policy should also be formulated.

“An Independent Monitoring and Evaluation Team (IMET) as detailed in the report should be constituted immediately to provide the government with an independent assessment about the project execution and to work as an impartial link between various stakeholders and the government”.

Regarding the harnessing of the balance potential of about 2736 MW which is yet to be awarded, the white paper has suggested that creating of shell companies by SHPC which will then award the projects after international competitive bidding. The white paper has stressed on the immediate need to set up a Project Review Committee to review the review the projects made by the developers in the establishing the projects already awarded.

“Projects where the progress is not matching with the targeted milestones as envisaged in the MoUs/project award agreements should be cancelled”.

The white paper has also recommended the State Government to reinvestigate the Chungthang region in North Sikkim where the Ministry of Environment and Forests have asked the State Government that projects above Chungthang region should not be considered for construction of dams due to its vast biodiversity. The State Government cannot abandon projects with 1050 MW capacity that have been awarded to the developers without a proper examination of the issues, the white paper said.

The State Government should, therefore reinvestigate the region to find the factual position and arrive at the final decision with regard of the development of these projects, the white paper recommends.

The State Government has also been suggested to give priority to development of wind and solar energy projects for serving the rural masses living in the deep mountainous region.

The white paper in its genesis of protests against hydropower development in Sikkim has attributed it non-involvement of the locals in the identification of proposed projects.

“For many of the local stakeholders who are affected (or likely to be) by these projects, the entire issue of power projects came like a bolt from the blue as they are clueless about, who was doing it and why and what will they get. The communication gap and absence of participation of local stakeholders was a major institutional failure, which could have been avoided through a massive awareness campaign before launching these projects”, the white paper said pointing to the protracted hunger strike carried out by anti-hydel body Affected Citizens of Teesta as a blatant example of this institutional failure.

One upfront challenge that needs to be met head-on by the State Government is to strike a fine balance in the developmental needs of the State, the natural resource need and biodiversity management, conservation of socio-cultural ethos and sustainability of ecological balance. The confidence in the minds of the people must also be instilled by adopting a fair-handed approach in developing the hydropower resource by issuing a State level Hydropower Policy.

Regarding the major issue of land procurement for the hydro projects, the white paper states the total land required for projects in North Sikkim is just 0.29 percent of the available land in North Sikkim.

The white paper also states that Sikkim will be getting annual revenue of Rs. 1337.79 crores during the first 15 years after the projects of current 4694 MW which is being developed is commissioned. In addition, the State government will earn about Rs. 22.3 crores as cess annually and Rs. 178.368 crores per annum as sale proceeds of 1 percent free power for local area development, the white paper adds.

These projects in Sikkim would provide employment to 3000-5000 skilled persons, 6500-10000 semi-skilled persons and 6500 to 10000 un-skilled persons.

The report has concluded that despite enormous advantages appreciated by all, there are undercurrents of dissatisfaction, misplaced apprehensions and misunderstandings created by lack of effective information flows. While genuine concerns need to be addressed immediately, the wrong apprehensions should be warded off by proper briefings, public hearings and disseminating the information and the steps taken by the government to address the issues, it is suggested.

In the backdrop of the national need for growth of electricity sector to 12 percent per annum, the white paper has concluded that Sikkim has to expedite the development of its 8000 MW hydropower potential so that then nation, state and locals benefit.

Source: sikkim express

2010-11 YEAR OF TOURISM IN SIKKIM

DRAFT PLAN FOR ‘YEAR OF TOURISM 2010’ PREPARED
Thirteen tourism festivals proposed in 2010-11

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, June 23: A tentative blueprint has been charted by the Sikkim Tourism Department to have year round activities for its most ambitious project, ‘2010 – Year of Tourism’.
Thirteen tourism festivals have been proposed in the draft plan during 2010 and upto February 2011.
The State Government has already declared last year that the year 2010 will be celebrated as the ‘Year of Tourism’ with an objective to reinforce the image of Sikkim as premier tourism destination in the nation besides strengthening the village tourism in the State. The government is also seeking to have a 30 percent increase in the tourism inflow during the ‘Year of Tourism 2010’ celebrations. Around 5 lakhs tourists have already visited Sikkim in 2008-09.
With this objective in mind, the State tourism department has drafted a tentative itinerary that proposes to host tourism related activities throughout the year 2010. The department is presently engaged in coining an appropriate slogan for the upcoming Year of Tourism. The slogan once finalized will be used a brand name of Sikkim Tourism for the 2010 campaign.
The advance action plans being mulled presently are finalizing service providers to wide publicity, market and publishing publicity materials. Meetings and action plans with all the stakeholders like Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS), Sikkim Association of Adventure Tour Operators (SAATO), Sikkim Hotel Restaurants Association, transport agencies and village tourism development committee is will also be held as part of the advance action plans of this year.
The other advance action plans are publishing Sikkim tourism bulletin, State Tourism Master Plan along with Uttarey Master Plan, State Tourism Policy, garbage bags distribution and management besides management of Saramsa Garden along with permanent traditional food stalls, handicraft stalls, flower stalls and cultural programmes. Strengthening of accommodation, hotels, home stays and village tourism along with all tourism related services are included in the advance action plans of the State tourism department.
During the tourism year celebrations, the State government is keen to enforce discipline in overall tourism sector here.
The draft plan has proposed that the ‘Year of Tourism 2010’ will kickstart from March-April with ‘Sikkim Discover Festival’ followed by Rabong Discover tourism festival, Aritar tourism festival and Temi-Tarku Ram Nauvami festival.
The month of May will see the hosting of International Rhododendron Festival (IRF) 2010 at Shingba Lachung in North and Varsey in West Districts. The rhododendron festival has been proposed to be held on May 3 and will continue up to May 20. In this month, the Hee-Bermoik Cultural Heritage Festival in West Sikkim will also be held.
The ‘World Environment Day’ which falls on June 5 will be celebrated by the State tourism department in a grand manner along with all stakeholders and tourists. The rainy month of July will see plantation drives in all the tourist destinations of the State by the tourism department and stakeholders. Tourists will also be encouraged to plant saplings in the tourist destinations. Conferences, workshops, seminars and meetings will also be conducted.
A monsoon festival will be held on August 5 at Tharpu in West Sikkim.
In the next month of September, the department is proposing to have a two day ‘World Tourism Day’ celebrations where eco-adventure, camping, village tourism and home stay activities will be organized.
The festival month of October will have two more festivals. The department has proposed to celebrate Dasia as a tourism festival while Namchi Mahotsava will also be conducted in this month.
The month of November will have conferences, workshops, seminars and meetings on tourism related themes. Three tourism festivals have been included in the month of December – Magan Music Festival, Khangchendzonga Festival at Pelling and Gangtok Winter Festival.
The 2010 year will be signed off with a grand New Year celebration in January 2011 followed by Maghey Sankranti Mela at Jorethang. A tourism festival at Yuksom is proposed in the month of February 2011 while a State flower show at White Hall complex in Gangtok has been proposed in the month of March 2011 thereby brining the curtains on the Year of Tourism.

SOURCE: SIKKIM EXPRESS)

SIKKIM: Sikkim govt considering official decree to ‘Himalayan Viagra’ collection
Caterpillar Fungus
GANGTOK, May 31: Sikkim is seriously considering following the footsteps of its Himalayan neighbours, Nepal and Bhutan, by legalizing the collection of the medicinal herb, Cordyceps Sinensis from the forest areas.
For the uninformed, Cordyceps Sinensis is popular known as ‘caterpillar fungus’, widely known in the Himalayan belt as ‘Yarcha-Gombuk’ and its connoisseurs do not tire to sing the aphrodisiac properties of this ‘Himalayan Viagra’.
With one kg of raw caterpillar fungus fetching as much as 2000 US dollars, Cordyceps Sinensis had reportedly funded the successful Maoist battle against the monarchy in Nepal. Now the collection and trading of this medicinal herb is legal in Nepal.
Cordyceps Sinensis is also widely found in the highlands of Bhutan which made the collection and trading of the herb legal only in 2004. Only communities living in and around the high lands are allowed to collect it and sell it to traders through government organized auctions.
Bhutan sells this product in 3 grades, A, B and C at prices ranging from US $ 2685 to US $ 2485. Collection of the herb is strictly regulated and is done on rotation basis.
Nestled between Nepal, Bhutan and another giant producer of ‘Yarcha-Gombuk’ China, the Himalayan State of Sikkim also has fair quantities of this medicinal herb in its high altitude areas of North, East and West districts.
Now belatedly realizing that its bio revenue source has been lying untapped, the State government is now chewing over a proposal from the State forest department to legalize collection and trading of Cordyceps Sinensis abundantly stored in its highlands.
Sources from the State forest department inform that the department has sent a draft proposal for legalizing collection of Cordyceps Sinensis in the State. Collection of medicinal plants from the wild is prohibited in Sikkim.
The proposal is now being vetted by the State law department and after proper scrutiny, a government notification will be issued in due course of time, it is informed.
Apart from the enormous revenue potential for locals and government, the bid to legalize collection of this medicinal herb could have been prompted by an incident of not so recent past where around 17 kgs of ‘Yarcha-Gombuk’ had been seized from two smugglers by the forest officials.
On July last year, the forest officials seized the consignment derived from the highlands of the State at Singtam meant for delivery outside the State. The incident had created a furore in the State and demands for bringing this clandestine business above-board had been made leading to this latest bid of the State forest department.
Though the various points in the proposal are still under scrutiny, it is learnt that the department is keen to legalize collection of this medicinal herb in a controlled manner in the high altitude areas of Sikkim.
Cordyceps sinensis, a rare combination of a caterpillar and a fungus is found in the altitudes above 4,500 m in the Himalayas. In Sikkim, it is found in areas like Green Lake, Dzongri, Thamjey, Nathu La Pass, Doman Valley, Tholung Pass and other areas above 8,000 ft. All these areas are under the forest department.
Though no resource survey of this medicinal herb has been conducted in Sikkim, the forest department says that it knows where the herb is found in Sikkim.
One of the silent features of the proposal is that only Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) registered with the forest department will be allowed to collect the caterpillar fungus. The JFMC will have to be from that area where the herb is found.
Collection from sanctuaries will not be allowed. A 25-75 percentage share has been proposed by the department which is being screened by the law department. The JFMCs will get 75 percent of the total Cordyceps sinensis they have collected while the remaining 25 percent will go to the State forest department. The department is also keen to market the forest produce through authorized dealers.
Experts on medicinal plants here have welcomed the proposal of the department. They also said that foreign technology is readily available to artificially produce the medicinal herb in Sikkim.
The experts have also endorsed the rationale behind the proposal. “People are already collecting Cordyceps sinensis and other forest produce from the forest. By legalizing the collection will mean that the present clandestine operations will come above-board leading to control and regulation. The locals will also benefit by earning money which will mean that they will have a stake in protecting the biodiversity. Right now they don’t have any stakes”, said one expert.
( source: sikkim express)

SAY IT FLOWERS IN SIKKIM

Say it with flowers in Sikkim

GANGTOK, Jan. 30: Floriculture is picking up in Sikkim both in the rural and the urban areas. Many Sikkim residents are now taking to floriculture in the urban areas, growing orchids on terraces, while some are developing nurseries on a commercial scale. Cut orchids are proving to be an alternative source of income. A spike of cymbidium orchid can fetch as much as Rs 1,000 locally.
The government Model Floriculture Centre at Namli is also flourishing. Four greenhouses have been added to it to cultivate flowers like gerbera, rose and phalaenopsis, which, when sold as cut flowers, should fetch decent prices for the growers.
In addition, three large low-cost bamboo poly greenhouses have been set up at Namli to rear rose and lilium. A number of plots have been covered with several varieties of flowers like the bird of paradise, wax ginges and heliconia.
The state government has also set up a cymbidium orchid centre at Rumtek and a model floriculture centre is under way in South District. Gladiolus is the most sought after flower by the small farmers. Peruvian lily is becoming the most popular flower in the higher altitudes. Daramdin in West Sikkim has been developed into a rose village. The rose growers sell their produce in Kolkata and New Delhi, each farmer earning anything between Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000 per month.
Assam Linjey in East has been declared as a cymbidium village. Once known as the Valley of Rice, Skkim is now turning into a Valley of Flowers. n SNS

5.5 LACS TOURISTS VISITED IN 2008 TO SIKKIM

Sikkim receive 60per cent of tourism funds from Ministry of Tourism (MoT) earmarked for NE states

Gangtok, Dec 31 : Sikkim has received a record sanction of 60 per cent of the total funds for tourism projects earmarked by the Union Ministry of Tourism (MoT) for the entire Northeastern states during 2007-08, an official report stated.


In its annual report, the state tourism department said the Union Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned 19 tourism projects for 2007-08, totalling to around Rs 75.46 crore.

Besides these MoT projects, a Rs 27.24 crore project for construction of passenger ropeway from Namchi to Samdruptse in South Sikkim has been funded by the DoNER Ministry and State plan. The project has achieved 20 per cent progress.

The department also claimed that a large number of tourism projects sanctioned during 2006-07 and 2007-08 are either completed or in progress.

''As a result of its incredible performance, Sikkim Tourism has been able to establish an excellent track record with the Union Ministry of Tourism,'' the report said, adding, this has certainly attributed to more Centrally sponsored schemes from MoT since 2002.

Many tourism proposals prioritised for 2008-09 are already under active consideration of MoT, the report states.

For 2008-09, Sikkim has been selected as the only state in the entire Northeast region for the 'Major Destination Development Project' for Gangtok. The project is being funded by MoT at a tentative cost of Rs 23.9 crore. A proposal worth Rs 14.30 crore is also pending before MoT for development of herbal medical tourism Rakdong-Tintek in East Sikkim.

Endorsing its tourism image, the hilly state has received the Northeast award of the MoT for 'Best Tourism Performing State' consecutively for the last seven years. Sikkim also shared the national award in tourism with Maharashtra in 2007-08.

As a result of large scale tourism value additions, Sikkim has witnessed a steady increase of tourist arrivals benefitting a large section of local community and tourism stakeholders. The average annual increase in tourism footfalls in Sikkim over the past five years is to the order of 22 per cent, the report states.

A record number of 5.5 lakh tourists visited Sikkim during this year and the state is targetting to attract at least seven lakh tourists by the next three years.

--- UNI

CASINO IN SIKKIM

The new royal casino player in India is here!
Official nod to Royal Plaza to begin casino


GANGTOK, November 12: Step aside Goa, make way for the new royal player from this Himalayan State who today was officially crowned as the first 'land based live' casino in the entire length and breadth of the nation.

In a momentous step towards promoting high end tourism, Sikkim government today authorized Teesta Rangit Private Ltd for installation and operation of casino games at the premises of its luxury hotel, The Royal Plaza here.

Apart from the natural appeal, this mountainous State will have the new attraction radiating from this 60 roomed hotel that has now become all set to roll out its roulette, card tables and slot machines and give its western neighbour Nepal and far flung competitors Goa a run for its money, literally.

The permission granted by the State government is a provisional license that enables the Royal Plaza to run casino till it fully classified as a five star hotel by the Ministry of Tourism.

Original license will be issued to Royal Plaza only after it fulfills the norms of a five star hotel within 5 years as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Tourism.
An elated Naresh Subba who is the director of Royal Plaza hotel said: "With the provisional license, I can start the casino now. This casino is the first land based live casino in India. We are all set and can begin anytime now".

In case you are ready with your money in this 'game of gamble' as Mr. Subba puts it, you have to hold your chips for at least this month.

"We are planning a soft launch of the casino. We are waiting for the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to come from his trip and we propose to have him to formally inaugurate the casino", said Mr. Subba. He stressed on the steps taken by the Chief Minister to make Sikkim as a major tourism hub and expressed his gratitude for choosing The Royal Plaza for the casino.

The humble opening plans means that the hotel first wants to play its cards carefully till the final showdown when all the games are in place in an enlarged version.

Once the formal opening is done, 40 slot machines, blackjack, poker, baccarat tables and manually controlled roulette awaits those having a taste for financial adventure.

A tour of the prototype casino hall was given by the director to Sikkim Express today evening.

"This casino hall is just a prototype. We will be shifting it in a larger space on the lower level floor of the hotel", informed Mr. Subba.

Sikkim government had set the casino ball rolling when it notified the Sikkim Casino Games (Control and Taxes) Rules, 2007 thereby inviting interested parties for setting up casinos in the State.

Till this period, only Goa had allowed casinos that too electronically controlled.
The objective of the State government was to attract high end domestic and foreign tourists with the casino bid which had already created ripples in the hospitality sector both national and internationally.

Savoring the two page certification from the State government, the Royal Plaza director is thinking big both for the hotel and casino in terms of infrastructure and projection. The luxury hotel presently has 60 rooms.

"We will be pumping Rs. 70 crores in the next two years for the expansion of the hotel where the total rooms will reach to 126. We have invested Rs. 5 crores for the casino infrastructure and are planning to add another Rs. 50 crores to enhance the casino before it opens", said Mr. Subba.

Local employment will be enhanced with this expansion drive. There are now 150 employees in the hotel and with the casino coming up, there will be 300 new jobs opening up, said Mr. Subba.

In terms of human resources, the Royal Plaza is mulling over to have a trained staff to man the casino initially by tying up with a company in Goa besides collaborating for technical support.

Then comes to marketing part where the stakeholder made it clear that the casino is targeted to high end tourists. "

For this, Mr. Subba is already prepared to fly to casino capitals of the world, Las Vegas and Macau. I will be traveling aboard soon to promote the casino located in the tourism State of Sikkim, he said. It will be tourism attraction of Sikkim, he added.

Apart from carving a niche for itself as a major tourism player, Sikkim stands to gain with an amount of Rs. 1.5 crores which will be paid by The Royal Plaza as taxes in the next 5 years.

( sOURCE: sIKKIM eXPRESS)