Tourism department conducts exposure Dzongri trekking program for students

PRITAM LAMA

YUKSAM, : Tourism & Civil Aviation department, Government of Sikkim, successfully conducted an exposure trekking program for students pursuing tourism studies.

The initiative, titled Sikkim Students' Trek with the theme ‘Sikkim: Where Nature Smiles’, aimed to provide practical training in adventure tourism, hospitality, and environmental conservation. The initiative, titled ‘Sikkim Students' Trek’ with the theme ‘Sikkim Where Nature Smiles’, was organized as part of Sikkim’s 50th Statehood celebration.

Students from various government colleges across the State participated in the program, which was conducted in two phases. A total of 100 students received hands-on training, with 50 students in each phase. The trekking expedition took place at the renowned Dzongri trek within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP).

The program was organised with an aim to give exposure to students on tourism sector, especially in adventure tourism.

The five-day program was organized by the Adventure Cell of the Tourism & Civil Aviation department in collaboration with the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-tourism (IHCAE) Chemchey. Logistical support was provided by the Yuksam-based Yuksam Tourism Development Committee (YTDC), a government-registered tourism organization.

Throughout the trek, the students were trained in adventure tourism, trekking and tour operations, hospitality management, environmental conservation, and the study of local flora and fauna. Resource persons from the Adventure Cell and YTDC conducted the training sessions.

On Wednesday, a brief valedictory ceremony was organized at Yuksam, where students were awarded certificates of participation.

YTDC president Karzang Bhutia, who also serves as the panchayat vice president of Yuksam-Dubdi GPU, attended as the chief guest and presented the certificates to the students. Other attendees included deputy director of the Adventure Cell, Manoj Kumar Chettri, YTDC vice president DB Chettri, Tourism department staff Roji Pradhan and BS Subba, YTDC publicity secretary and resource person Pritam Lama, and resource person Laxman Gurung, among others.

Addressing the students, YTDC president Karzang Bhutia praised their enthusiasm and highlighted the vast potential of the tourism sector in Sikkim. He encouraged students to explore entrepreneurship opportunities in the field.

Speaking about the initiative, deputy director (Adventure Cell) Manoj Kumar Chettri emphasized that the initiative aimed to ignite a spirit of adventure among students and promote adventure tourism. He added that the program was designed specifically for tourism students in government colleges to enhance their knowledge and experience for future career prospects.