There’s good news for mountaineers and adventure tourists. Circumambulation eco-tours are being planned on the periphery of India’s highest mountain peak Mt Kanchenjunga (located at 28,169 feet), which is home to major mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and unique flora and fauna.
The world’s third highest peak is the guardian deity of Sikkim and is considered sacred by the Sikkimese.
Keeping in view its huge tourism potential, the Sikkim Government has prepared a mega plans for the tourists. This will be a 15-day long trekking trails starting from Kanchenjunga National Park (KNP) with an aim to give them an opportunity to peep into temples, flora and fauna and snow-clad picturesque peaks which assume different colours during different hours of the day.
Regarded as the Switzerland of the East, the KNP was recently declared as a world heritage site. Besides, rich flora and fauna, 73 glacial lakes dot the KNP located above 4,000 metres.
The Pawan Chamling-led State Government has joined hands with the Indian Mountaineering Federation (IMF) to start circumambulation tours in the periphery of Mt Kanchenjunga.
Passionate about the project, the Sikkim Chief Minister, who was in Delhi recently, talked in details about the tour plans which are at the finalisation stage.
The Chief Minister said the parikrama tour in the periphery of the world heritage site will be promoted mainly during the summer season keeping in view the favourable climatic conditions in the area during these months for trekking, mountaineering and other adventure activities.
State Resident Commissioner Gobind Mohan added, “Our aim is to provide highest level of professional support and logistics to nature lover enthusiasts during the parikrama tour through the State Tourism Department and registered tour and travel agencies.” The fee structure for these activities is under finalisation stage, he said hoping that such tours would draw good number of footfalls as in the case of the helicopter service launched in the State two years ago.
In fact, the 15-minute helicopter service starting from State capital Gangtok offers breath-taking views of Mount Kanchenjunga and is in huge demand.
Mohan said that the helicopter service is mainly operational from March to May and then from September to November, which are peak tourist months in the Himalayan State and added that the service is available around-the-year on demand.
To attract the tourists, 14 pristine peaks having height below IJ7,000 metres in North and West Sikkim have been opened up for tourists with a view to promoting nature and eco-tourism in the State.
About 15 places in the State have also been identified to help tourists catch glimpse of various peaks. Construction of viewing decks and other allied facilities are also planned to be developed to promote these venues.
Over the last five years, Sikkim has become the most favoured destination among domestic and foreign tourists in the entire North East region. Around 7.50 lakh domestic and international tourists visited the State during 2015.
The State has set a target to attract 15 lakh tourists per annum and double the revenues from tourism by 2020.
Mohan said steps are being taken to ensure better infrastructure in the State. Sikkim’s first Greenfield Airport at Pakyong, being constructed on a 200 acre piece of land, is likely to be operational in 2017 at a revised cost of Rs 605.59 crore.
The airport will provide direct air-connectivity to the hill State. It will be one of the five highest airports (altitude 4,700 feet) of the country.
Construction work on Rs 4,190-crore project envisaging a 45 km long railhead from Sevoke to Rangpo, is also likely to start next year. The railway line with 14 tunnels and 28 bridges will offer a picturesque and scenic journey while passing through the foothills of Kanchendzonga mountain range and Teesta river valley.
The statues of Cherenzi, Skywalk and Ropeway at Bhaleydhunga, and stairway to Heaven at Daramdin are some of the other major projects to be completed by 2025. These projects, once completed, will position Sikkim as the foremost tourism destination of the entire South Asian region, said the Resident Commissioner.
Mt Khangchendzonga is said to be the finest example of an independent mountain having its own glacial system radiating from its several summits. There are eighteen glaciers. Among them is the huge, Zemu Glacier, 22 km long, is one of the largest in Asia.
