ENVIS RP ECOTOURISM – SCSTS, GANGTOK
Two months Certificate Course in Nature Conservation and Livelihood: Ecotourism under Green Skill Development Programme kicked off with Inaugural function on 9th August, 2018 which was attended by Dr. Anandi Subramanian, Senior Economic Adviser, MoEF&CC GOI | ENVIS INDIA with Mr. Kumar Rajnish, ENVIS Secretariat Nodal Officer, in Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology, Gangtok. Out of 184 Candidates 20 were selected through various Interview practice like (video interview, walk-in-interview, phone interview). Candidates were also present for wonderful speech of Dr. Anandi Subramanian. Inauguration function was addressed by Dr. K Jayakumar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim followed by Shri. D.T. Bhutia ENVIS RP Ecotourism Coordinator-cum-Additional Director Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of Sikkim.
An orientation programme was conducted by our experienced Resource Person Mr. P.K. Dong.
Dr. Anandi Subramanian, Senior Economic Adviser | Mr. Kumar Rajnish, NPC | (TOP 2ND FROM LEFT)Dr. K Jayakumar IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Sikkim | (TOP 1ST )FROM LEFT Mr. P.K. Dong – Resource Person | Photo by Niraj Sharma – IT Officer, ENVIS RP Ecotourism.
From the 10th of August, various classes began under expert guidance of resource persons from Sikkim University, Sikkim Government College, ECOSS, GMC, SBI, NABARD, NEDfi, TAAS, Tourism Department and DST Sikkim. The entire topic related to Ecotourism certificate course were assigned to each resource person on their expertise.
During the whole course, excluding few, 7 major field trips were organized by the ENVIS RP Ecotourism which included trip to IHCAE (Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Ecotourism ) which lasted 4 days with Sport climbing, trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing. Field trip to Namgyal Institute of Technology was organized where participants learnt about culture, history of Sikkim, field trip to Himalayan Zoological Park was also organized where participants of GSDP were trained about wildlife and ecosystem, flora and fauna by Smt. Usha Lachungpa and Dr. Menla Lachungpa – resource person. In addition to that, one day trek was also arranged where participants learnt about trekking, guides, wildlife, equipments, trails etc. Further training on garbage management, Hotel management, heritage and tourism were also organized. Other field visits like Homestay management, rural tourism/village tourism was organized in Pelling, West Sikkim for two days.
Resource Persons from various financial institutions like NAABARD, SBI, NEDFI have also imparted knowledge on how to gain financial help from these institutions. They have clearly explained about the workings and process involved in procuring financial help from these institutions.
Field Visits | Photo by : Niraj Sharma – IT Officer, ENVIS RP Ecotourism
Classes on Ecotourism by Expert Resource Persons – Photo by Niraj Sharma – IT Officer, ENVIS RP Ecotourism
All the trainees who came with empty knowledge have now been skilled and trained on Ecotourism. Out of 20 participants almost everyone seems to be interested on their future prospects of entrepreneurship in the field of Ecotourism. Great feedback came from the participants, who thank MoEF&CC, GoI and ENVIS for initiating such a wonderful programme.
ENVIS RP on Ecotourism also thanks MoEF&CC | ENVIS India especially Dr. Anandi Subramanian for giving us this wonderful opportunity to host Green Skill Development Programme on Nature Conservation and Livelihood: Ecotourism.