The Tinjurey Ecotourism Festival, a true Ecotourism Experience!

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1 The Tinjurey Ecotourism Festival, a true Ecotourism Experience! The Tinjurey Ecotourism Festival was held at Pangthang, East Sikkim on the 12 th & 13 th March, This is the 2 nd Festival held, the first was held in March The first Tinjurey festival had been participated by 500 Eco tourists (source: Forest Department, GoS). What is Ecotourism? TinjureyDaara, a description The Tinjurey festival in photos with description 12 Things to follow The Log house, Golitar: Accomodation and base for Tinjurey trek The Activity Area Food Stalls/ Sikkimese cuisine People, The Lepchas Antique Lepcha items Dos and Donts in the festival The Tinjurey Trek Villages in the Area: Lyndok-Nampong Village, and RakdongTintek Village Homestays in RakdongTintek

2 The Festival was organised by the Forest Environment Wildlife Management Department, supported by the Tourism Department and other line Departments. A major achievement in thisfestival was that the organisation in Tinjurey and its activity areas for the tourists were made possible by the members and stakeholders of 51-Lingdok- Nampong Eco- Development Committee (EDC). This goes to show that the local people of the area had greatly benefitted from the 1 st instalment of the Festival and this festival showed that locals had understood the concepts of ecotourism which was on display in the festival.

3 What is Ecotourism? In simple words, ecotourism is about preserving natural resources and forest life and at the same time, appreciating and enjoying the ingenuous charm of the land. Ecotourism is viewed as an opportunity to generate income and employment. The basic premise of the ecotourism component is to develop successful community based tourism i.e. ventures that satisfy both conservation and development objectives, which are envisaged through community based ecotourism, which help in promoting the Himalayan way of life.

4 Ecotourism is a remarkable and pivotal part of tourism because it enhances the natural and cultural integrity of the people in a responsible manner This 2nd Tinjurey Ecotourism Festival is ecotourism in the true sense because along with keeping the triple bottom line, as in environmental, economic, and cultural aspects in balance the materials used to build the stalls, and other required infrastructure like shops stages and even accommodation were made up of wood, bamboo (prominently) which are locally available with local artisans involved in the construction. This way expenses and dependency on materials bought form outside of the locality are mitigated and the capital is passed to the local stakeholders, thereby enhancing the economy of the locality. The activity area was the site where the festival was inaugurated followed by speeches by Ministers and departmental heads. The activity area also witnessed cultural dances and food stalls and was further accentuated by the calm and inviting hospitality of the members of the Eco Development Committee comprising of the locals and people of the villages of the area. The villages surrounding the festival sites are Lingdok, Pangthang, Nampok, RakdongTintek.

5 TinjureyDaara In Nepali simply means the three pointed small hills, which looks like humps of an ox. However, it is also named as Thyung- Numpu in Lepcha and Chyo-Nampong in Bhutia Language. Though it is called and known by different names, it is a sacred place for all beings and is believed and worshiped by people of every community. It is

6 a holy place, where from all communities visit and offer prayers and wishes. The holy occasion of Pang Lhabsol is also celebrated where people pray to the Mt. Khangchendzonga in protecting the peaceful state of Sikkim. Tinjurey is an excellent trekking zone as it takes a day to cover the trek provided tourist halt at the Golitar log house. The magnificent views of Mt Khangchendzonga, breath taking sceneries, splendid environment with chirping sound of joyful amazing birds, countless plant species including many beneficial herbs, naturally decorated with colourful ornamental flowers and wildlife is the least to expect from this trek. Apart from its beauty, this place is highly facilitated with most appreciable and trustworthy, well cultured stake holders with their kind hospitality and guidance which makes the visitors trip to Tinjurey most exciting, fascinating and memorable. 12 THINGS TO FOLLOW 1. Be prepared for outdoor Remember, you will be walking in the woods; therefore your attire should be something that will make you feel comfortable and won t drag you down. 2. Buy the ticket Ticket booths are near GBPHED Gate and sanctuary entry gate and Office of the directorate of ecotourism (in picture above), the ticket price covers sanctuary entry fees, guiding & activity charge. Revenue being generated from the ticket sale will be distributed among the beneficiaries & VDF 3. Experience traditional Hospitality You will be welcome to the village in a typical Lepcha, Bhutia& Nepali style with traditional customs and songs. 4. Enter The Natural Zone Now you enter the FambongLho wildlife sanctuary, here you get to feel nature in its pristine best, at the Golitar Gate visitors will be received by

7 the local guide who will brief them about the sanctuary rules and various activities that are on offer in the nature Zone. 5. Observe, Interpret & Appreciate Become part of the nature. Observe different forms of local biodiversity around you-trees, plants, flowers, birds, butterflies, animals etc. You have self-guided nature trails or can avail the service of interpretative guides from the local village. 6. Be Your own Gurasey trail Gurasey Nepali Name for Rhododendron trail is about 1.2 km long and is developed into a self-guided trial with sigh boards and interpretative materials. A walk on this trail will fetch you splendid pine forest rhododendron, birds, butterflies and breathe taking valley views. 7. Birds, Birding and bird trail. The birding trail starts from the camping around area and meanders through bamboo forest and water bodies before reaching the open ground area; here you get a view of mountain range including Mt. Khangchendzonga. This trail offers incredible chances to spot and photograph good number of bird species. 8. Village life experience At Gairi-goan the visitors can see and experience a typical sikkimese village. One can walk around the village and see various activities like farming, cardamom plantation, mulching, traditional games etc. 9. Ethnic food Different ethnic food items of the Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepali community are available at above welcome centre. The visitors can buy and enjoy various food items. 10. Ethnic museum and local souvenirs. An ethnic museum showcasing different traditional artefacts of local community is there at Rail Goan, above the welcome centre next to the museum is souvenir shop, where the visitor can shop souvenir products made by the local crafts men

8 11. Traditional Dance: Visitors can enjoy the dance performance of member belonging to local community namely Bhutia s, Lepcha s and Nepali. 12. Local Drink Making It is a tradition, that when a guest visits, the local people welcome them with drink that is considered a gesture of honour The Tinjurey festival in photos with description Pic: Golitar Ground (Activity Area) Pic: Stakeholders and tourists witnessing the cultural dances

9 Pic: Permits to the Fambongla Wildlife Sanctuary can be obtained here by the tourists Pic: An eco-friendly welcome to the Village activity areas

10 Pic: Steps made of cane and bamboo leading to the Village activity area The Activity Areaconsisted of Games, food stalls, antique Lepcha equipment and traditional hospitality, where tourists are guided and explained about the traditional way of life, food, culture of Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepali lifestyle and traditions

11 Pic: A Lepcha Game of dart throwing in the Village activity area Pic: Tourists and tradition in action, Lepcha Dart game Food Stalls/ Sikkimese cuisine Pic: Traditional Food stall Pic: Bhutia and Lepcha ladies serving traditional food

12 Pic: On display in the Bhutia stall were Khabjee, Zeero, beef koftas, chicken koftas, fried eggs, Shyaphaley (beef), Sungur-ko-Khutta (pork), millet and sugarcane dessert along with local wine and drinks like Ara, Niggar, Tongba, Jaar

13 Pic: On display in the Lepcha stall were KhureeKhoo(mellet pancakes), Chibeb(BhattiJaar), Steamed Fish, Steamed Pork, Sing Bok(Ghartarul), Gyuma fried, Egg fried Pic: Local vegetables like Simrai, Duku, Ningro (fern), Sag(spinach), tomato, dried greens(gundruk), Sinki

14 Pic: The organic stall were laden with traditional snacks like Khabjee, Zheroo, puffed rice, flattened rice, flattened corn Pic: Organic Stall

15 People, TheLepchas Pic: The Lepchas (RINA family) Click on the link to know more about the Lepcha People and their heritage haven, Dzongu that they are so trying to protect

16 Pic: Stall for Lepcha Antique Equipment Pic: A handmade Lepcha Hunter s Hat or Say rabuthaktuk is made up of cane and bamboo and is used for safety from rain and sunshine by Lepcha people. Pic: Millet strainer or Shure Pic: Traditional Doko to carry wood Click here for more Antique Lepcha items>>

17 Pic: Thankas and paintings of the Bhutia and Lepcha people Pic: Dos and Don t sat the festival to be followed by all.

18 The Log house, Golitar:Accomodation and base for Tinjurey trek The permit and booking of the log house can be made at the Office below in picture Pic: Office of the Directorate of Ecotoursim, FEWD, GOS. It may be mentioned that the permits to the Fambongla Wildlife Sanctuary can be obtained here by the tourists Pic: Log house, Golitar Bookings Contact PhurdenTshering Lepcha, President Eco-development Committee 51-Lingdok Nampong (EDC) under Forest, Environment Management Department (FEWMD) Call: ,

19 Pic: The Log House at Golitar, above the Activity Area which provides accommodation up to 10 people and can be booked from the office of the Directorate of Ecotourism or the president of EDC Pic: Our guide Mr. Sameer at the log house and base for the Tinjurey Trek

20 Pic: Traditional healer and Medicinal plant stall at the camp site Pic: Traditional and medicinal herbs

21 Pic: Camp site for people interested in sleeping in tents, these tents can also be booked at the office of the Directorate of Ecotourism The Tinjurey Trek Pic: The start of the Tinjurey trek

22 Pic: Trekkers on the way to the summit of Tinjurey

23 Pic: A water table to verify the volume of the streams in the Fambongla Wildlife Sanctuary. Picture taken during spring, March2016 where the volume of water looks worrisome in this stream

24 Pic: Trekkers trekking down from Tinjurey, we can see a dried spring in the picture Pic: Tourists enjoying food and drinks after trekking at the festival

25 Villages in the Area:Lyndok-Nampong Village, and RakdongTintek Village Pic: A traditional Bhutia house in the village of Lyndok where a lady weaving a basket can be seen. Pic: RakdongTintek Village, A Lepcha village

26 Pic: Traditional Lepcha houses in the Lepcha village, most Lepcha houses here are well over 70 years old Pic: View point at RakdongTintek Pic: View of Mt. Khangchendzonga from Tintek view point

27 Pic: The Khangchendzonga massif from Tintek viewpoint Pic: Landscape view from the view point

28 Pic: Protruding rock face at the base of the picture Pic: Motor biking is the ideal way to see the sites in Sikkim owing its clear undisturbed views as well as manoeuvring through hilly and narrow terrain, provided it doesn t rain.

29 Pic: The Butterfly waterfalls at RakdongTintek Homestays in RakdongTintek:verified Contact Mr. Sameer: Facebook: References: 1. Natgeotraveller.in, October 2013, magazine 2. Lingdok Nampong (Eco Development Committee) under Forest,Environment Management Department (FEWMD) 3. Directorate of Ecotourism, Forest, Environment Management 4. Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project (SBFP), JICA 5. Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association 6. Forest, Environment Management Department (FEWMD), Government of Sikkim Source: All Pictures and text by Sherap N Bhutia, Sr. Programme Officer,