Sikkim on the way to promote Village Tourism

Sikkim is considered one of the most beautiful and secretive destinations of Northeast India. Here nature bestows her splendor through lavish greenery everywhere. Endowed with spectacular scenic beauty, Sikkim is harnessing its natural bounty for sustainable development through village tourism. In a bid to boost its revenue and promote village tourism,...

Whale Shark Protection Program in Maldives faces criticism

High voltage debate is brewing in Maldives about the endangered species of Whale sharks. Yes, controversy seems to have become the middle name of the conservation efforts taken to protect these sharks in Maldivian waters. These sharks play an important role in maintaining the population balance of the marine ecosystem but the recent efforts to tag them...

Sikkim Forest Department launches its hunt for Heritage Trees

When others are on merciless tree felling to give space to the peeping fluorescent ad boards and mushrooming skyscrapers, Sikkim felt the need to initiate a revolution against such practice, by tracing out and conserving its old heritage trees. The drive to spot the biggest or oldest tree of Sikkim has been launched by the Sikkim Forest Department as...

Awareness programme on butterfly preservation

Butterflies are attractive and intrinsically valuable. Their sensitivity to environmental change makes them valuable indicators of a healthy and balanced eco system. But with butterfly species in decline and on the verge of extinction, its conservation seems to be of utmost importance. With an initiative of putting a halt to butterfly decline, an awareness...

World Class forest museum announced by Chief Minister of Sikkim

Image via Wikipedia The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Mr. Pawan Chamling announced that a world class Forest Museum would be set up in the State, with a view to exhibiting the commendable works done by the state Forest Department, for the past century. The announcement was strategically timed with the closing ceremony of the yearlong centenary celebrations...

Boriya Wetland under threat due to encroachment

Image by PhBasumata via Flickr The Boriya Beel near Barpeta, Assam houses a variety of fishes, reptiles and even acts as a temporary roost for a number of migratory birds that visit the Beel (Wetland) every year. However, unabated encroachment around this wetland is posing to be a huge threat to the various species visiting the Beel. This Beel...

Saving the dying art of Lepcha Hat making

In an effort to keep the art of the Lepcha tribe of Sikkim alive, artisan Tengay Lepcha is trying hard to save the old tradition of making Lepcha Hats. Lepcha hat, also known as Sumuk Thyaptuk, is a cultural heritage associated with the Lepcha tribe. It is worn by all Lepcha males and the Boomthing or the high priest of Lepcha in religious and other...