The JICA aided Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation & Forest Management Project (SBFP) presently implemented by Forest & Environment Department, Government of Sikkim participated in the Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) in Surat, Gujarat from 6th to 8th September 2019 represented by the Ecotourism Management Cell (EMC), where the various ecotourism products developed through the interventions of SBFP were showcased.

Sikkim Ecotourism was awarded the MOST EXCLUSIVE LEISURE PRODUCT award at Surat and it was received by the EMC team comprising of Ms. Kesang P. Bhutia, Manager(PR, Event & Festival) Ms. Barsha Sharma, Manager, (Products & Sales) Ms. Meenu Dahal, Assistant Manager (Products & Sales) and Mr. Chogyal Bhutia, Assistant Manager(PR, Event & Festival).

The Travel and Tourism Fairs are India's leading exhibition for the travel and tourism industry which provides an annual opportunity for organisations from India and abroad to showcase their products and services. These events presents an unparalleled marketing opportunity for exhibitors to connect directly with the largest gathering of prospective travellers and members of the travel industry.

Ecotourism in Sikkim is in its formative stage and its essence is responsible tourism to wilderness areas with an aim to conserve natural resources of the state while improving the livelihood of the local people. Presently there are 11 notified Ecotourism zones in Sikkim around the 8 protected areas (PAs i.e. National Parks and Sanctuaries) where ecotourism activities are being implemented in an organized manner to the fringe Joint Forest Management & Ecodevelopment Committees through the JICA aided SBFP project.

Source: Press Release, EMC (SBFP), F&ED