Title: TREK ROUTE DEVELOPMENT IN SIKKIM: GENERAL GUIDELINES MANUAL
KeyWords: Birding treks, wildlife treks, cultural treks, mountains, Hillocks, water bodies,ridge lines
Published by: Directorate of Ecotourism, Forests, Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim.
Author Name: Directorate of Ecotourism, Forests, Environment and Wildlife Management Department,Government of Sikkim.
Printed Year: 2018
Editor:
Language: English
Pages: 35
Details:
FORWARD
The Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department (FEWMD), Government of Sikkim is implementing the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and forest Management Project (SBFP) in the state of Sikkim. The project focuses on three components namely; biodiversity conservation, ecotourism and joint forest management.
This 'Manual on Trek route development' has been prepared under the SBFP project. Under the ecotourism component of the project there is a provision for the development of trek routes keeping in mind trekkers from all around the globe. For the said purpose, both existing and new routes are being considered where the selection will be based mainly on the attractiveness, safety and accessibility factors.
Some of the trek routes being developed under the project may entirely or partially pass through Protected Areas and other types of forests in the state. Henceforth it is very important for us to a d here to the guidelines in compliance with the all the relevant acts, rules and notification s of the state and national government especially related to protection and conservation.
For achieving the objectives envisaged in the SBFP project related to trek route development and for its effective i implementation the Project Management Unit (PMU) of SBFP along with the Directorate of Ecotourism, works i n close coordination with field officers of FEWMD especially the DFO/ ACF/ RO/ BO, etc. Since the trek route areas are under the administrative control of the field officers they will have to execute the trek route development following the guidelines given in this manual. During the development stage, it is advisable for them to involve local EDC/JFMC, etc. and further it is desirable that the partnership get extended to the operationalization and management phases also. Although this manual is being prepared in the con text of SBFP project; the utility of this manual is envisaged beyond the project scope as most of the provisions mentioned i n the guidelines are generic in nature hence can be applied in any type of trek route development within and outside the project. The information provided in the booklet is very informative, well-illustrated and user friend]y. This publication will certain]y enhance knowledge base of the officials and other users as well as provide proper guidance in development of trek routes of international standard.