Sikkim tops tourism funds utilization
Sikkim Express | www.sikkimexpress.com
Sikkim tops tourism funds utilization
GANGTOK, March 7: Sikkim has emerged as a topper in utilizing maximum funds in tourism related projects in the 11th Five Year Plan, the Tourism Ministry has said.
The State has spent Rs. 163.44 crores, which is a maximum utilization of funds by any State in tourism projects upto September 2009, a national news agency has quoted the Ministry.
Sikkim is followed by Jammu and Kashmir which has spent Rs 141.70 crores for the development of tourism in the state.
Beside Sikkim and Kashmir, according to the statistics prepared by the Tourism Ministry, Andhra Pradesh (Rs 129.82 crores), Madhya Pradesh (Rs 113.77 crores) and Karnataka (Rs 90.67 crores) also figure in the top ten States in terms of utilising funds in tourism projects.
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Well thats good news …………..but how well has it been utilized thats a million dollar question .
Just see the cafeteria in west sikkim in one of the tourist spot called “Chagay falls” constructed by tourism department ??????its in a shabby state …..and there are many like these thru out Sikkim.
How well has it been used in media broadcasting ……can we see any adds in popular channels like Zee, Sony , Star etc …the channels that are viewed by millions n billions of people ….
In these channels we have seen tourism adds of new states like Uttaranchal, Uttarkhand and even Jharkhand ……but sad to say not of Sikkim …..
Just a few seconds of add in these channels will boost the tourism flow in Sikkim in many folds …..but the money has to be pocketed somewhere else thru utilization …….
Holding tourism festival for name sake and showing utilization of fund is not enough …that too in off season …..
These festivals should be in season time and during long holidays so that the tourist can plan their holidays and come over to see and enjoy ….and all these should be advertised thru popular tv channels as mentioned above and not merely by making flex, posters etc …
So far in the many tourism festivals organised we have been able to see minimum tourist and maximum image making scenes …khada arpan….khattu …drink , get boozed and start fighting ….drugs encouragements …girl chasing , boys chasing and many more ……
Its high time we promote tourism in a more broad spectrum and do proper utilization of funds …
We have got Tourism Secretaries who have seen only 25% of Sikkim and hardly knows about the culture of Sikkim . He probably knows is office and his residence only …thats it …
Sikkim tourism is about culture, religion , adventure etc ….well talking about adventure …how much has been utilized for adventure tourism.??????
Yes we agree Tourism has made a tremendous progress in Sikkim …. but at the same time the credit goes to the peoples and their effort also ….as we can see in many places as to how much the Tourism Department has actually contributed in boosting the tourism of the particular area….
Just making cafeteria and opening TIC is not tourism …..we must have a proper tourism infrastructure ….and some of them are roads, airports, rails, garbage ,electricity , water etc etc …
well said Friend (Tourism speaking)… no doubt we have tremendous gift of nature in Sikkim, also it is one booming industry of our state, but question is till when???? I m frm Dzongu where if you actually come then you can feel how pristine is nature here but how long the policy of Government is so contradicting that even im confused… bringing huge environmental damaging project in Sikkim and talks about biodiversity, come and see in the hills of North Sikkim particulary in Hydle project area, one fine day all these tourist from down under will stop comming to Sikkim by seeing mess that been done by these projects….
I agree with rongkup and i am sure that comming generation wil curse us for what we let them do to our land. The people who are responsible for it or those who contributed to it may have prosper but they will forever be cursed for the blunder. They dont know or does not have the sensitivity to understand that how beautiful a land we live in.
Thats right…we collect awards today..for the doomsday tomorrow…such dehemoth projects are just a warning for earthquake prone zone like sikkim
we are sure to get doomed..in future..thnks to CHAMLING and his incompetent cabinet
Thanks to Mr. Chamling for making small [piece, piece] switzerland in Gangtok, Namchi and Jorethang…..