News & Announcement
Khangchendzonga National Park celebrates its 8th anniversary of UNESCO recognition.
Gyalshing July 17 (IPR): Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) celebrated its 8th anniversary of being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a day-long programme at the KNP Interpretation Centre in Yuksam,today.
This significant milestone commemorates the park's recognition on July 17, 2016 for its outstanding cultural and natural value, making it India's first "Mixed Heritage Site". KNP, also Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, is the first and only National Park in Sikkim stretching from Gyalshing to Mangan districts. The park is named after the mountain Khangchendzonga which is the third-highest peak in the world.
The day-long event, organized by the KNP division under the state forest department, featured a series of programmes aimed at promoting environmental conservation and raising awareness about the Park's significance. Highlights of the celebration included a Green Walk, Green Ride, and birding activities, which saw enthusiastic participation from students, local stakeholders and cyclists.
The Green Walk initiative took participants inside the Khangchendzonga National Park, where they received an introduction to bird watching from renowned guide Mr Lakpa Tenzing. Over 50 participants, including students, tourism stakeholders, and local dignitaries took part in the "green walk" initiative. Simultaneously, the Green Ride saw around 30 cyclists from across the Gyalshing district that took part, promoting eco-friendly travel and environmental awareness.
Mr Ds Limboo, Zilla Adakshya, Gyalshing, graced the occasion as the Chief guest, accompanied by Mr Yogen Syangden SDM Yuksam and Mr Ongdi Sherpa BDO Yuksam, Mr Palchen Yongda and Mr Sonam Palden Denzongpa government contractors, Ms Sunita Limboo panchayat president. Other notable attendees included Ms Bhumika Rai DFO KNP, Mr Gyamtso Bhutia ACF KNP, Mr. NB Limboo Former Advisor, Mr Tenzing W Bhutia Range officer-KNP and various local officials, Gram Panchayat members, tourism stakeholders, teachers, and students.
Ms Bhumika Rai DFO KNP, briefed the gathering on the aims and objectives of the programme, elaborating on the significance of UNESCO designation and the park’s cultural and natural heritage. She urged collective efforts for its conservation and emphasized the importance of community involvement in preserving the park's heritage, stating, "The natural resources and UNESCO World Heritage site are valuable assets of the state, and it is everyone's responsibility to ensure for proper conservation and management."
Zilla adakshya Gyalshing, highlighted the pride of having India's first mixed-criteria UNESCO World Heritage site and called for collective efforts in conserving the environment and natural resources. He underscored the park's potential in birding and its diverse flora and fauna. We must all take ownership and actively contribute to the conservation of our environment and natural resources," he urged.
Mr Sonam Chewang Bhutia, tourism entrepreneur, also spoke about the "Green Ride" initiative, stressing the importance of responsible and sustainable tourism practices. He encouraged everyone to contribute to environmental conservation to ensure the sustainability of nature for future generations.
Mr Nosang Muringla, Sikkim's Green Ambassador, also spoke on the occasion, further emphasizing the need for conservation.
The programme was coordinated by Mr Tenzing W. Bhutia Range officer-KNP and concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr Karzang Bhutia Panchayat vice-president.
This significant milestone commemorates the park's recognition on July 17, 2016 for its outstanding cultural and natural value, making it India's first "Mixed Heritage Site". KNP, also Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, is the first and only National Park in Sikkim stretching from Gyalshing to Mangan districts. The park is named after the mountain Khangchendzonga which is the third-highest peak in the world.
The day-long event, organized by the KNP division under the state forest department, featured a series of programmes aimed at promoting environmental conservation and raising awareness about the Park's significance. Highlights of the celebration included a Green Walk, Green Ride, and birding activities, which saw enthusiastic participation from students, local stakeholders and cyclists.
The Green Walk initiative took participants inside the Khangchendzonga National Park, where they received an introduction to bird watching from renowned guide Mr Lakpa Tenzing. Over 50 participants, including students, tourism stakeholders, and local dignitaries took part in the "green walk" initiative. Simultaneously, the Green Ride saw around 30 cyclists from across the Gyalshing district that took part, promoting eco-friendly travel and environmental awareness.
Mr Ds Limboo, Zilla Adakshya, Gyalshing, graced the occasion as the Chief guest, accompanied by Mr Yogen Syangden SDM Yuksam and Mr Ongdi Sherpa BDO Yuksam, Mr Palchen Yongda and Mr Sonam Palden Denzongpa government contractors, Ms Sunita Limboo panchayat president. Other notable attendees included Ms Bhumika Rai DFO KNP, Mr Gyamtso Bhutia ACF KNP, Mr. NB Limboo Former Advisor, Mr Tenzing W Bhutia Range officer-KNP and various local officials, Gram Panchayat members, tourism stakeholders, teachers, and students.
Ms Bhumika Rai DFO KNP, briefed the gathering on the aims and objectives of the programme, elaborating on the significance of UNESCO designation and the park’s cultural and natural heritage. She urged collective efforts for its conservation and emphasized the importance of community involvement in preserving the park's heritage, stating, "The natural resources and UNESCO World Heritage site are valuable assets of the state, and it is everyone's responsibility to ensure for proper conservation and management."
Zilla adakshya Gyalshing, highlighted the pride of having India's first mixed-criteria UNESCO World Heritage site and called for collective efforts in conserving the environment and natural resources. He underscored the park's potential in birding and its diverse flora and fauna. We must all take ownership and actively contribute to the conservation of our environment and natural resources," he urged.
Mr Sonam Chewang Bhutia, tourism entrepreneur, also spoke about the "Green Ride" initiative, stressing the importance of responsible and sustainable tourism practices. He encouraged everyone to contribute to environmental conservation to ensure the sustainability of nature for future generations.
Mr Nosang Muringla, Sikkim's Green Ambassador, also spoke on the occasion, further emphasizing the need for conservation.
The programme was coordinated by Mr Tenzing W. Bhutia Range officer-KNP and concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr Karzang Bhutia Panchayat vice-president.