Gangtok:11th Oct: IHCAE Partnership Conclave 2025 Concludes with Roadmap for Adventure and Ecotourism Growth.The two-day IHCAE Partnership Conclave 2025, organised by the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Ecotourism (IHCAE), Chemchey under the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with Sikkim INSPIRES, concluded on Friday ,at a local hotel in Gangtok.
The Chief Guest Advisor-cum-MLA, Forest & Environment Department Tenzing Norbu Lamtha, said conclave was to deliberate on furure of adventure tourism as well as eco tourism. MLA was addressing the Departmental officers, IHCAE faculty, representatives from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and other partner institutions along with local partner organisations TASS, SAATO, ASTHA, SUTO,professionals – stakeholders from Bhutan ,Nepal and from across the nation
MLA,Tenzing Norbu Lamtha , remarked that the conclave provided an important opportunity to forge stronger partnerships in the field of ecotourism, describing it as a timely initiative to improve, develop, and expand Sikkim’s adventure tourism sector. Commending IHCAE for spearheading the effort, he lauded its consistent focus on high-quality training, capacity building, and adventure leadership in the State.
Highlighting Sikkim’s vast potential, he stated that the State’s unique mountain landscapes and rich natural heritage have the power to attract adventure enthusiasts from across the world. There is growing interest in Sikkim’s mountain peaks, he noted, representing a promising industry yet to be fully explored. However, he cautioned that Sikkim’s mountain ecosystems are fragile and hold deep religious and spiritual significance, emphasising that all policies must respect local sentiments and cultural values while ensuring ecological integrity.
He further underlined that the Government of Sikkim prioritises biodiversity protection, with the State recognised as one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world. He stated that this natural strength must be used to build a sustainable ecotourism model that benefits local communities while offering visitors an experience that connects deeply with nature and indigenous culture.
He added that Sikkim’s tourism sector is rapidly expanding, and it is crucial to explore new avenues of growth suited to a tech-savvy generation of travellers. He stressed that while embracing new trends and expectations, tourism development in Sikkim should remain rooted in local traditions yet adapted to modern tastes and global standards.
Concluding his remarks, he reiterated that ecotourism must be pursued responsibly and inclusively, maintaining a balance between community development and environmental preservation. He expressed confidence that the IHCAE Partnership Conclave 2025 would lay a strong foundation for a sustainable and collaborative future for adventure and ecotourism in Sikkim.
Prominent among others who addressed the session included , Advisor, STDC, Mr Lukendra Rasaily, and P Sherpa Joint Director.
The programme also featured an experience-sharing session, where delegates from Sikkim, other Indian states, and neighbouring countries shared their learnings and experiences from the conclave. Delegates were later presented with tokens of appreciation for their valuable contributions toward making the the programme successful.
