Title: Conducting a baselline study on existing impact of tourism activities and recommendations for sustainable tourism activities with special focus on nature-based and adventure tourism in SECURE Himalaya project landscapes in Sikkim
KeyWords: Enchanting biodiversity, adventure tourism, culturally significant monasteries, local traditions, ecotourist
Year of Publication: 2019
ISSN No: NA
Author Name: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Details:
Executive Summary
Tourism is an important contributor to the economy of Sikkim and has provided an important livelihood source to the people of the State. The tourism sector in Sikkim generates approximately 12,000 to 15,000 jobs annually. The tourism sector has grown at a rate of 10-12% between 2007 and 2017, and the Gross State Domestic Product of the tourism sector was Rs 1,44,735 lakh in 2016-17 (approximately 7.7% of the total GSDP). Most of families in the landscape are associated directly or indirectly with tourism activities— running hotels or homestays, restaurants, selling local handicrafts and food products guides, travel agents, taxi operators and porters. This dependence has been especially noticeable since 1990.
Enchanting biodiversity, mesmerising views, culturally significant monasteries, plethora of wildlife, adventure activities and local traditions make the area a treasure trove for the ecotourist, the adventurer and the nature lover. The forest cover in the state is close to 47%, which is also higher than the national average of 22%, and amongst the highest in the country. There is one national park, the Khangchendzonga National Park, and seven wildlife sanctuaries. The state is home to snow leopards, blue sheep, Tibetan argali, Tibetan gazelle, Tibetan wild ass, red panda (the state animal of Sikkim), musk deer, Asiatic black bear, Himalayan Tahr, Goral, Serow, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal and Satyr Tragopan. Khangchendzonga, a magical landscape covered by dense forests, deep flowing rivers, gorges and waterfalls is has recently been included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The areas of West and North Sikkim around Khangchendzonga national park are famous among the tourists for various activities.
This study represents a baseline tourism assessment of the Khangchendzonga- Upper Teesta landscape of Sikkim as part of the SECURE Himalaya project. The study assesses both the strengths and challenges associated with tourism including issues specific to this landscape, and provides a series of strategies and recommendations that can guide conservation friendly tourism in these landscapes over the years. Below we present a summary of the issues related to tourism and ways to strengthen and enhance nature and adventure-based tourism in the landscape.
Tourism in Khangchendzonga largely based in the Yuksam areas of West Sikkim due to the world famous Goechala trek and Dzongu, Lachen and Lachung areas in North Sikkim due to the presence of Gurudongmar Lake which one of the highest lake in the world and beautiful valleys of Yumthang and Singba sanctuary. When North Sikkim is not accessible during the winter season, tourists tend to visit West Sikkim in larger numbers. Ecotourism is more developed in West Sikkim. In North Sikkim, tourists typically visit based on itineraries developed by tourism agencies which tend to promote mass tourism rather than low impact high value tourism. In terms of infrastructure, there are 209 hotels in West Sikkim with a capacity of 4,208 while there are 140 hotels in North Sikkim with a capacity of 2,808. But of the total hotels present in only 85 hotels are registered with the Department of tourism in West Sikkim and only 8 hotels are registered in North Sikkim. Similarly in case of homestays, West Sikkim has 267 homestays with a total capacity of 1546 while North Sikkim has only 44 homestays with a capacity of 334. This clearly indicates that the concept of homestays has picked up more in West Sikkim as compared to North Sikkim. Most of the homestays in West Sikkim (169) and North Sikkim (34) are well registered with the Department of tourism.
As many as 14,24,965 domestic and foreign tourists visited Sikkim in 2017, twice the population of the state. The average expenditure incurred by families is around INR 20,000- 25,000 per head for a week’s time in West Sikkim and INR 40,000- 50,000 per head for three days (Lachen- Lachung) in North Sikkim. The number of tourists entering KNP is on the rise every year. As per discussion with KCC, almost 8000 people enter KNP including porters and guides which puts a lot of pressure on the protected area. The number of tourists visiting Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang valley are increasing by almost 200 percent every year. This clearly indicates that the numbers of tourist are increasing on a rapid rate which may put pressure on towns such as Lachen which has already reached its carrying capacity.
Although ecotourism has manifold benefits, several negative impacts occur as well. In case of West Sikkim, garbage, on the Goechala trail, is one of the critical issues; conversion homestay to lodges, biopiracy and mass tourism on the Goechala trek route during season are the key issues. In case of North Sikkim, lack of signages and display boards to create awareness about the landscape is a major issue; even though plastic is completely banned its management is lacking; lack of infrastructure such as toilets on the route to Gurudongmar and Yumthang; lack of trained guides for nature based tourism activities; poor awareness among tourist about the cultural significance of the area; lack of activities for tourists other than visit to Gurudongmar and Yumthang and lack of space for new infrastructure in Lachen are the key issues. Also in case of North Sikkim, ecotourism concept is a bit lacking as compared to West Sikkim. Even though there are enough homestays or nature based tourism activities, it is not properly advertised and the tourists are mostly unaware about these things. So tourists usually prefer to stay in hotels and spend no more than a day in Lachen and Lachung. This has given a sudden boom in the construction of hotels which has put pressure on the natural resources of the area. Lachen has already reached its carrying capacity in terms of infrastructure. Additionally, the Dzumsa system of governance makes it difficult to propose and solution for the area. But it is necessary to address these issues through ecotourism activities to promote conservation of biodiversity in the landscape.
Goechala trek in West Sikkim is a famous trekking destination for national as well as international tourists. The trekking route receives around 8000 tourists every year. The trek route being present in the Khangchendzonga national park, which is sensitive area, it was necessary to understand the carrying capacity of the trek route to sustainably manage the trekking activity. Based on discussions and surveys with stakeholders and existing information, we calculated the carrying capacity to 267 visitors per day which is 14 groups can trek on the same day. Even though the carrying capacity is high, the issue of overcrowding during the season and at some points along the routes is very much prevalent even with fewer tourists. Also there may not be proper accommodation facilities at every camp. Thus the current inflow of tourist is should be managed properly throughout the season.
There needs to be strategies to strengthen nature and adventure-based tourism in the Khangchendzonga landscape. So of the strategies to which needs to be implemented in the landscape are as follows:
• Training for key tourism service providers: Regular trainings and skill up gradation needs to be provided for the tourism service providers such as travel agents, homestay owners, guides, porters, pack animal operators and cooks to promote sustainable tourism.
• Training on tourism products for homestays: Homestay owners have expressed a lot of interest in developing local handicrafts, sweets, locally produced items as tourists often ask for souvenirs.
• Capacity development on nature based tourism activities: North Sikkim although rich in natural elements such as birds, butterflies, mammals, flowers, medicinal plants and high altitude biodiversity lack in trained guides. There is need to impart training to local communities of North Sikkim to develop them as nature guides and Para taxonomists.
• Ensuring ban on relevant activities: Just like the plastic bottle ban policy in North Sikkim, a similar policy can be implemented in West Sikkim as well. Polyester flags also need to be banned.
• Regular monitoring by Forest department on trekking routes: Regular patrolling and monitoring by the Forest department along with local communities would result in control the issue of bio piracy.
• Creating relevant associations and guidance systems: Given the experience of KCC and ESPAY in Yuksam, similar associations of other service providers, especially homestay owners can be developed to allow homestay owners to collectively decide on rates, and services to be provided.
• Development of Interpretation centres, Boards and Signages: There is an interpretation centre at Yuksam and lot of display boards and signages in West Sikkim but there lacks sufficient display board and interpretation in North Sikkim.
• Promotion of Ecotourism activities: The reason for low response to homestays in Lachen and Lachung is not only due to the less demand from tourist but also due to the lack of promotion as well.
Sikkim is an excellent example where the local communities, agencies, the government work together to monitor and manage tourism. This provides a way in the future as well to regulate the unsustainable impacts of tourism in the landscape. Organisation such as ESPAY is an important case study where service providers have formed an association to improve the income and manage insurance issues. Similarly the zero waste policy devised by KCC needs to be replicated in every trekking trail in landscape and Sikkim. Several community members suggested of adopting the Bhutan tourism model of high value, low impact. Thus it is necessary to implement the strategies and replicate the case studies in the landscape to ensure conservation of biodiversity through ecotourism initiatives.