Second Day of IHCAE Partnership Conclave 2025 Concludes with Roadmap for Adventure and Ecotourism Growth
Gangtok, October 10 (IPR):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 today at a local hotel in Gangtok.
The conclave brought together key stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to chart a collective roadmap for strengthening Sikkim’s adventure and ecotourism ecosystem.
The final day began with a Mountain Biking Expedition from Chemchey to Temi, followed by an exposure tour of Ravangla and Timi Tea Estate, where delegates experienced first-hand Sikkim’s natural beauty and cultural richness. The visit highlighted the State’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible tourism and community-based livelihoods through sustainable practices.
The closing session, held later in the day, was graced by Chief Guest Advisor-cum-MLA, Forest & Environment Department Mr Tenzing Norbu Lamtha, and Guest of Honour Advisor, Sikkim Tourism Development Cell(STDC) Mr Lukendra Rasaily. Also present were Secretary, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Ms Hondala Gyaltsen; Principal Director (Accounts), Mr Binod Sharma; Additional Secretary, Dr Prerna Chamling; senior officials of the Department, IHCAE faculty, and representatives from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and other partner institutions along with local partner organisations TASS, SAATO, ASTHA, and SUTO.
In his address, Mr Tenzing Norbu Lamtha extended a warm welcome to all delegates and experts attending the conclave. He said it was a privilege to have distinguished professionals, scholars, and stakeholders from Nepal, Bhutan, and across India gathered under one roof to deliberate on the future of adventure and ecotourism in Sikkim.
He 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.
In his address, Advisor, STDC, Mr Lukendra Rasaily, expressed gratitude to all delegates and partners for their active participation. He stated that such platforms play a vital role in shaping the nation’s economy and inspire confidence in the future of adventure tourism in Sikkim. He emphasised the need to provide greater national and international exposure to guides trained under the Department to foster integration and professional growth. Appreciating organisations working for public welfare, he highlighted the importance of creating more opportunities for Sikkimese youth in adventure tourism. Expressing delight at the participation of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, he reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with IMF to explore new avenues for sustainable adventure tourism in the State.
Earlier, delivering the opening remarks, Principal IHCAE and Joint Director T&CA, Mr Kazi Sherpa, reflected on the key takeaways from the two-day conclave. He emphasised that the sessions and interactions had laid a strong foundation for long-term academic and professional partnerships, aimed at curriculum enrichment, faculty development, and knowledge exchange in adventure and ecotourism.
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 event a success.
The highlight of the day was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the Tourism Department and various stakeholder organisations, including:
1. The Wild Survival Academy, Hyderabad
2. Adventure Gurudongmar, Kalimpong
3. Adventure Thrill, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
4. Bhutan Ecological Society, Bhutan
5. Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, Kathmandu, Nepal
6. Himalayan Outdoor Recreational School, Kathmandu, Nepal
7. Mt. Zion Kidzee School, Gangtok, Sikkim
8. Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai
The event concluded with a networking session over high tea. The proceedings of the day were conducted by Deputy Director (T&CA), Mr Prashant Pakhrin.
The IHCAE Partnership Conclave 2025 concluded on an optimistic note, with renewed commitments toward collaborative growth, academic integration, and sustainable adventure tourism development in Sikkim — marking a significant step toward strengthening the State’s position as a responsible and progressive tourism destination.
Report from DIO-GANGTOK