Little Sikkim set to become more attractive

Kolkata, July 30 (UNI) Crossing over the Nathu La and being in Chinese teritory may not be a distant dream.

After the Trade Protocol has been passed by the Centre which permitted traders from both countries to step into the other's teritory, the Sikkim government has approched the Central government with the Tourism Protocol to enable domestic tourists to visit the area bordering China, Sikkim's Tourism Minister R B Subba said.

He, however, admitted that talks were at a nascent stage as it also involves China's permission besides the Government of India's.

Asked whether there was a proposal to start a bus service from Gangtok to Nathu La, Mr Subba said that the Chinese ambassador, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling along with Central and state government officials had agreed that there was huge potential for tourism but the bus service will reasonable time period to materialise.

The Sikkim government has initiated a slew of measures for attracting tourists to the small and beautiful state.

Mr Subba said Sikkim presently has a tourist traffic of three lakhs per year, of which 16,000 are foreign tourists and hopes to touch six lakhs within the next four years. At least 60,000 foreign tourists are expected to visit the state by 2010, he added.

Further, eight meditation huts are being constructed at the serene ambience of Samdruptse to provide facilities for tourists to rejuvenate their stressed mind and body with meditation.

There is good news for the adventure-spirited too with three new peaks coming up at Lama Ongden (5868 m), Frey's Peak (5830 m) and Brunkhangse (5635) for Alpine expeditions.

Sikkim Tourism had also formulated policy intervention so as to encourate PPP - Public Private Partnership and to regulate tourist trade to ensure protection of tourists' interests.

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