Gangtok, Nov 1 Sikkim’s first-ever Adventure Tourism Festival was inaugurated on Sunday in Namchi district.
The week-long festival, being held at Linkhim Tar in Namthang, Namchi district, from November 1 to 7, is aimed at showcasing Sikkim’s potential in adventure sports and creating new livelihood opportunities for local youth.
MLA and Advisor to the Power Department Sanjeet Kharel flagged off a seven-member team for a training and exposure visit to Nepal to learn bungee jumping.
Addressing the gathering, Kharel thanked Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department for organising the festival, describing it as a significant milestone for Namthang-Rateypani and the state.
He said the region had considerable potential for adventure tourism and pointed to activities such as river rafting, zorbing, parasailing, motocross racing and jungle adventures as emerging opportunities for local communities.
Kharel also highlighted ongoing road improvement works and outlined plans to develop tourism infrastructure in the area, the statement said.
The festival features a range of adventure activities, including hot-air ballooning, river rafting, paragliding, parasailing, zorbing, horse riding and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rides.
Visitors can also experience jungle-based activities and sample local cuisine at food stalls during the week-long event.
Tourism and Civil Aviation Advisor Sudesh Kumar Subba, STDC chairman Lukendra Rasaily and senior officials of the department were among those present at the inaugural programme.
The festival seeks to position Sikkim as an adventure tourism destination while opening up new avenues for tourism-linked employment and entrepreneurship, the department said.
(PTI News)
