Project Detail

Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation in the Khangchedzonga Biosphere Reserve West Sikkim

Increased human pressure on the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve area has resulted in increased accumulation of non-biodegradable waste, especially around the camping sites. There is also a lack of awareness about the code of conduct of the area among the visitors. This gave rise to an urgent need to create a Visitors Information Centre (VIC) that would spread awareness about the code of conduct of the area along with interpreting the biodiversity values of the KBR.

The main objective of the project is conservation and sustainable use of natural resources of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve area through information dissemination on flora, fauna cultural values and code of conservation, sustainable garbage management and long-term income generation through promotion of eco-friendly tourism.

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Khangchendzonga ConservationCommittee

Country:

India

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

Phase 2

Grant Amount:

US$ 14,286.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 4,395.60

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 9,526.00

Project Number:

SGP/GEF/IND/OP2/03/SKM02

Start Date:

8/2003

End Date:

12/2005

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Photo Gallery

View photo gallery

Project Characteristics and Results

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

A VIC will be established at an easily accessible location on community land using local design and material. The VIC would spread awareness about the code of conduct of the area along with interpreting the biodiversity values of the KBR. The visitors will be made aware of the Code of Conduct in the area leading to protection of biodiversity and reduction in garbage along the trekking routes and the KBR. Awareness drives will be conducted among the visitors, staff and the community to reduce garbage accumulation in the KBR.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

Eco-tourism activities, trekking and camping support and sale of local handicrafts will be provided from the VIC to the tourists. The VIC will serve as a platform to form a syndicate for tourism support staff, like the local porters, guides, animal pack operators, cooks etc. which will help the staff get equal opportunity, access to welfare programmes and social security. The formation of syndicate will also lead to accountability and responsibility leading to better service and security to the visitors.

Project sustainability

Some of the village based institutions and CBOs working on conservation and eco tourism have been federated into Sikkim Eco Tourism and Conservation Federation (SECF) to collaborate with government and non-government institutions to promote initiatives that are ecologically sustainable in the areas of eco tourism and livelihoods.

Policy Impact

The Government of Sikkim has recognized the trekking routes and the conservation efforts of KCC and has recognized the eco tourism model set up by KCC as a sustainable model.

Policy Influence

The Government of Sikkim has recognized the trekking routes and the conservation efforts of KCC through it's Gazette notifications and has recognized the eco tourism model set up by KCC as a sustainable model

Capacity - Building Component

The VIC staff and tourism support staff will be provided training on skill development in terms of customer relations, marketing and tourism support services. Exposure visits will be organized for the staff to other successful eco tourism projects. Community based organizations in and around the area, working on biodiversity conservation, will be strengthened and a network will be formed

Notable Community Participation

The community will be mobilized around the VIC in eco-tourism activities and sale of local handicrafts. Community based organizations in and around the area, working on biodiversity conservation, will be strengthened and a network will be formed. The organizations will also be strengthened in terms of local tourism support activities and promotion of sustainable livelihoods through eco-tourism.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The financial returns from the VIC will be ploughed back into the program through formation of a revolving fund that will help in growth of the eco-tourism activities and for garbage cleanup in the KBR

Replication of project activities

The project has been scaled up through GEF SGP funds to cover a much larger project area, additional trekking routes and to strenthen livelihood linkages for additional number of people in the area. On completion the up-scaled project will help in making the eco-tourism initiatives self sustainable and the project will be built up as a successful model for replication elsewhere.

Planning non gef grant

The up-scaled project has recieved matching co-financing from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. The department of Forests, Government of Sikkim has also expressed interest in forging partnership under the project.

Project Results

A Village Information centre has been set up in Yuksam, Sikkim for the tourists. The centre has been running successfully and has been conducting regular awareness camps; slide shows etc. for the tourists and the community. The VIC is well equipped with trekking equipments, local support staff and environmental conservation and biodiversity information. A syndicate of tourism support staff, like the local porters, guides, animal pack operators, cooks etc. has been formed, which is serving as a platform to help the staff get equal opportunity, access to welfare programmes and social security. Financial support is also being provided to the poor staff for education of children.

There has been marked reduction in the garbage along the trekking sites. Repeated training and awareness amongst the support staff has helped to monitor the adherence to Code of Conduct and garbage disposal. Trekking routes have been identified and being promoted by the KCC and the SECF through some of the remotest villages in Sikkim and have enabled alternate livelihoods for the communities through arrangements like home stays for tourists.

+ View more

Back to search results

Countries

Regions

Project Snapshot

Photo Gallery

Partnership

SGP Country office contact

Address