Sikkim - The Purbottar

04 Dec

Royal Bengal Tiger cub discovered near Gangtok raises commotion among wildlife officials

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

An unexpected sighting of a Royal Bengal tiger cub near Gangtok has stirred excitement among wildlife enthusiasts and prompted swift action from forest authorities, after a school student photographed the young animal at the edge of the Chongay forest, just eight kilometres from the city. The rare encounter occurred on the afternoon of December 2, when the student, returning home through the Shyari constituency, noticed movement near the forest boundary. To his surprise, a tiger cub emerged briefly from the foliage. Acting quickly, he captured a photograph before the cub retreated into the thick vegetation. The student’s father immediately alerted…

03 Dec

Naga village GLOF survivors wait in shelters as rehabilitation continues

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

More than two years after the devastating glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) of October 2023, residents of Naga village in Mangan district continue to live in temporary shelters as rehabilitation efforts progress. The massive flood, caused by the breach of South Lhonak Lake, destroyed homes, swept away infrastructure and left several people missing. Mangan Deputy Commissioner Anant Jain said the administration has followed established procedures for families of those still missing. When bodies remain untraced after a prolonged period, families can apply for provisional death certificates, which are issued after verification. Immediately after the disaster, officials relocated affected families to…

02 Dec

Sikkim makes TSD fund contribution mandatory for all tourist accommodation units

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has mandated contributions to the Tourism Sustainable Development (TSD) Fund from all tourist accommodation facilities, including hotels, resorts, homestays, service apartments and bed-and-breakfast establishments. Under the new directive, each tourist checking in must be charged ₹50, which the establishment must remit to the government. The compliance will be monitored through the Atithi Guest Information System. The TSD Fund, introduced in March 2025, supports eco-friendly tourism, infrastructure improvements, and responsible travel initiatives across Sikkim. Officials warned that non-compliant establishments will face fines of ₹5,000 for the first month and ₹10,000 for the second month, with the possibility of…

01 Dec

Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba seeks urgent climate action, ST seat reservation for Limboo–Tamang communities

Banasree SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba has called for immediate, region-specific climate interventions and long-overdue seat reservations for the Limboo and Tamang (LT) communities, urging the Centre to amend the Representation of the People Act (RPA) without further delay. Subba made these appeals during the All-Party Floor Leaders’ Meeting held at the Parliament Annexe Building in New Delhi. The meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, saw the participation of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Union Ministers J. P. Nadda, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and MoS L. Murugan, among other senior leaders. Subba used the platform to highlight the pressing…

29 Nov

Gangtok–Bagdogra helicopter fare reduced to Rs 3,100; STDC announces new baggage rules

Banasree SarkarSikkim

In a significant step to make air travel between Sikkim and West Bengal more accessible, the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (STDC) has revised the fare for the Gangtok–Bagdogra–Gangtok helicopter service. The one-way ticket price has been reduced from ₹4,500 to ₹3,100, with the new rates coming into effect immediately following government approval. Along with the fare cut, STDC has also introduced a new baggage policy for passengers. Under the updated rules, travellers will be allowed to carry one piece of hand baggage up to 7 kg free of charge. Baggage weighing between 8 kg and 15 kg will incur…

27 Nov

Sikkim Livestock Development Board celebrates National Milk Day at government school

Banasree SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim Livestock Development Board (SLDB) turned National Milk Day into a day of learning, celebration, and community engagement at Marchak Chuten Government Primary School in Gangtok District. The event, organised under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), brought together students, teachers, health workers, and local residents to highlight the importance of dairy in daily life. The programme was led by SLDB Chief Executive Officer Dr. Pratik Sharma, accompanied by Board officials and staff. The gathering was also attended by Headmaster Phu Tshering Bhutia, teachers, students, and health personnel from Marchak PHSC. In his address, Dr. Sharma explained the significance of…

27 Nov

In North Sikkim, the Indian Army Promotes Community-Led Adventure Travel

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

. The Indian Army has supported the local community of Yumthang Valley by providing specialised high-altitude adventure equipment to strengthen community-led tourism initiatives in the region. The equipment includes camping gear, climbing essentials, safety items, cooking sets and basic high-altitude support equipment. This will enable villagers to set up structured adventure camps for the daily footfall of 20–25 tourists visiting the valley. With this support, local youth will be able to offer guided trekking, camping and basic adventure experiences in a safe and organised manner. Mr. Pema Dorjee, Pipon, Lachung Dzumsa, who is overseeing the community venture, said, “This support…

26 Nov

Sikkim honors journalists on National Press Day and emphasizes improved media-government cooperation

Banasree SarkarSikkim

Sikkim on Tuesday marked National Press Day with a state-level celebration at Manan Kendra, bringing together leading journalists, media professionals, government officials, and invited guests for a day dedicated to honouring the press and strengthening the bond between the media and the state administration. The programme served as a reminder of the enduring role of journalism in protecting democratic values, fostering accountability, and amplifying the voices of citizens. The event, organised jointly by the Department of Information and Public Relations (IPR) and the Press Club of Sikkim, highlighted the contribution of journalists working across print, television, radio, and digital platforms.…

25 Nov

Three-year defense supply contracts should be restored, according to DACS; a delegation from Sikkim talks with senior officials in New Delhi

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In a significant effort to strengthen Sikkim’s cooperative sector and secure long-term stability for the state’s farming community, a high-level delegation from the Denzong Agricultural Co-operative Society (DACS) held a series of important meetings in New Delhi on Monday. The team was led by Satish Chandra Rai, MLA-cum-Chairman of DACS, and Dhiraj Pradhan, Managing Director of the Society. The discussions began with a meeting with Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS, Defence Secretary, Government of India, and senior Army officers. The delegation strongly appealed for the restoration of the earlier system under which DACS received three-year contract sanctions for supplying essential items…

24 Nov

Sevok–Rangpo rail project hits 85% mark, NF railway says work moving at ‘Excellent Pace’

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The ambitious Sevok–Rangpo railway line, a long-awaited project that will bring Sikkim onto India’s railway map for the first time, has achieved 85 percent completion, according to Shri Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northeast Frontier Railway. Speaking on Akashvani News Gangtok, he shared a detailed status report on the progress, challenges, and future outlook of the strategic line. Sharma said the project continues to move forward at an “excellent pace” despite demanding terrain, fragile geological conditions, and recurring environmental hurdles. The 45-km-long line is among India’s most complex railway constructions, with 86 percent of the alignment…