Sikkim - The Purbottar

15 Dec

From Today, Indians Can Visit Historic Doklam and Cho La as Sikkim Launches Regulated Battlefield Tourism

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim will open two of its most sensitive and historically important border areas; Doklam and Cho La for domestic tourists from today marking a significant step in India’s expanding battlefield tourism initiative. The decision allows Indian citizens to visit locations that have played a crucial role in the country’s military history but have so far remained largely closed to the public due to their strategic importance. The move is part of the central government’s wider Ranbhoomi Darshan programme, which aims to give people an opportunity to learn about major conflict sites across India and understand the sacrifices made by soldiers…

12 Dec

Atal Setu marks the start of “Sikkim – The Silk Route Drive,” with 17 supercars roaring through Rangpo

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The high-energy 'Sikkim – The Silk Route Drive', an event designed to revive the historic trade route through a modern motoring experience, was officially flagged off on Thursday morning at the iconic Atal Setu Bridge in Rangpo. The rally, featuring 17 high-performance supercars, drew enthusiastic crowds as engines thundered across the newly inaugurated stretch, marking the beginning of a three-day journey across Sikkim’s breathtaking terrain. The ceremonial flag-off was led by CS Rao, Additional Chief Secretary of the Government of Sikkim, who launched the drive in the presence of Hondala Gyaltsen and Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha, both APS to the Chief…

11 Dec

Indra Hang Subba, a Sikkim MP, calls for cautious, technology-driven Lok Sabha election reforms

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba on Wednesday called for introducing technology-based improvements in India’s electoral system but reminded the Lok Sabha that such changes must be carried out with great care, especially for smaller and sensitive states like Sikkim. Speaking during a detailed discussion on Electoral Reforms, Subba said that reforms should not only improve efficiency and transparency but must also protect the unique demographic character of different regions. He explained that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls plays an important role in keeping voter lists accurate. However, he noted that in states with smaller populations, even small…

09 Dec

Sikkim Hosts Special Winter Programme to Aid Yak-Rearing Families and Conserve Indigenous Breeds

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A special yak health camp and feed distribution programme was organised at Kupup in East Sikkim on Sunday to support high-altitude herders during the winter season. The event was conducted jointly by the Sikkim Livestock Development Board (SLDB) and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. The main aim of the programme was to assist yak-rearing families and protect indigenous livestock found in Sikkim’s high mountain areas. The programme was attended by Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Agriculture, Horticulture and Fisheries, Puran Gurung. Area MLA Pamin Lepcha and panchayat members were…

06 Dec

Two civil servants from Sikkim were admitted to the Indian Administrative Service

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Two senior officers of the Sikkim Civil Service (SCS) have been inducted into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) after completing the formal process of selection for the vacancies meant for the Select List of 2024. The state government confirmed the development on Friday and said that the induction has been approved as per the rules of the central selection procedures. According to officials, the two officers are Sarika Pradhan and Norzing Tsering Shenga. Both belong to the 2002 batch of the Sikkim Civil Service and have spent more than twenty years in different administrative roles in the state. Their names…

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…