Science, Technology and Development ISSN : 0950-0707 TOURISM OF NAMCHI, SOUTH DISTRICT OF SIKKIM: AN OVERVIEW Amrita SardarPramanick Research Scholar, Dept. of. Geography, C.M.J. University, Jorabat, Meghalaya, India. Dr.Harsha Kumar Das Gupta Research Guide, Dept. of. Geography, C.M.J. University, Jorabat, Meghalaya, India. Abstract: Needless to say, Sikkim is a wonderful tourist destination of our country. South district of Sikkim is comparatively smaller than three other districts of this state. However, it has some of the most amazing places to visit. The nature lovers, adventurists, as well as the other tourists who are very much interested for angling, rafting, camping, trekking, wildlife exploration etc. find this South district as the most ideal destination for their complete enjoyment as it really acts as a healing agent. The present study deals with the infrastructure, scope and possibility of Namchi as the main tourist focus of South Sikkim. This area has the high natural potential of being an excellent tourist attraction of South Sikkim. But in the field of tourism over grooming is taking place because of the huge investment of private business houses and religious trust foundation. Keywords: tourist destination, trekking, rafting, tourism infrastructure. Introduction In terms of Gross Domestic Product, tourism is the second largest contributory sector in Sikkim. This state provides a wide potential in tourism that has yet largely remained unexploited. The perennially snow-capped mountains, lush green tropical and temperate forests, gurgling streams and the rich flora and fauna are all present there for the tourists to savor. The State Government aims at promoting sustainable tourism and simultaneously encourages the private sectors to develop tourism related infrastructure and services without disturbing ecology and environment and also to reduce the tourist pressure at Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim. With the help of private business houses and religious institutions, Sikkim Government has now focused on the tourism project of South district of the state, mainly in Namchi. Tourism based on nature and adventure is commonly found all over this state. But in Namchi it is mainly pilgrim based. The inflow of tourists from different parts of India is gradually increasing at the different tourist centres of Namchi due to development of hotels and road networks and specially for the attraction of pilgrim architecture. But insufficient infrastructural facilities particularly Volume IX Issue VII JULY 2020 Page No : 466 Science, Technology and Development ISSN : 0950-0707 inadequate numbers of hotels with proper modern facilities and amenities, inadequate transport network etc. is making this tourism hub non-eco-friendly and yet to reach the marked developmental level. Moreover, the pilgrim tourism by constructing gigantic statues or pilgrim grounds intensely affect the natural environment and majestic beauty of this place to a large extent. In order to address the above-mentioned problems, the present study has been undertaken to discuss the scope, possibility and problems of growing Namchi as a focal tourist spot of South Sikkim. This study would provide information about the present state of tourism infrastructure and will help to understand the tourist flow at different tourist spots of Namchi and also lack of tourism infrastructure like accommodation and transport facility. Study Area Namchi is the capital of the district of South Sikkim. It is the southernmost block of South District of Sikkim. This town is located at 27°17´N and 88°35´E with an average elevation of 1,315 mt. above the MSL. This town lies off the road between Melli and Jorethang. It is situated at a distance of 78 kilometers from the State capital Gangtok, and 100 kilometers away from Bagdogra at Siliguri, the nearest airport. Namchi is well connected with other towns in Sikkim and West Bengal with jeeps and buses running regularly between Namchi to Gangtok, Pelling, Jorethang, Kalimpong, Siliguri. It is also connected to the nearest international airport being Kolkata in West Bengal. According to census of India, 2011 about 2733 people lived in Namchi town (census of India, 2011). Volume IX Issue VII JULY 2020 Page No : 467 Science, Technology and Development ISSN : 0950-0707 Methodology The population data of Namchi have been collected from the census of India, Gangtok. Data of tourist flow to different tourist spots and transportation frequency have been collected from the Tourism Department, Government of Sikkim and Transport Department of Sikkim at Namchi and Gangtok respectively. An extensive tourist survey has been carried out through systematic survey to know the different unknown facts of tourism. Nature of Tourism Namchi is really a scenic settlement of South Sikkim. Enclosed with daunting hills and emerald green forest, Namchi has conquered the heart of many tourists with its mesmerizing beauty of snow-covered Kanchenjunga. Visitors can stay either in budget hotels or in home - stay in Namchi according to their budgets and conveniences. Attraction, Accessibility and Volume IX Issue VII JULY 2020 Page No : 468 Science, Technology and Development ISSN : 0950-0707 Accommodation - the three key factors with varying levels are considered as essential elements for the development of tourism industry of any state. A combination of these 3 ‘A’ jointly work in Namchi area for convenience of the maximum number of tourists. In the study area religious tourism has become the key component without mythological history and this pilgrim tourism encourages maximum number of targeted groups of religious tourists specially the Hindus. Best Season to Visit The best timeto visit at Namchi is during summer and winter. The temperature remains moderate and pleasant during March to June and it is a very good time to visit there. During February, flower show festival is held every year. At that time numerous species of Himalayan flowers bloom in beautiful shades. During July to September, Namchi experiences heavy rainfall and the road leading to Namchi becomes prone to landslides. September to November is another good time to visit at Namchi. The annual tourism festival, culture and local food festival is held in the month of October. It is called NamchiMahotsav and is organized at the Namchi Central Park. Tourists as well as the local people participate in this festival to be a part of this annual carnival that hosts an array of activities including folk dance performances, flower exhibitions, handicrafts and hand-loom stalls, traditional food stalls of every ethical group of Sikkim. Major Tourist Places Namchi is fast developing into a tourist destination with its immense potential for all round tourist activities. This town has emerged as a religious center with a number of sacred temples and monasteries. It is a new project venture in the tourist map of Sikkim. Most of the tourist spots evolved during 2006 and 2010 at Namchi. The SaiMandir, Buddha Park, SiddheswarDham, Temi tea garden etc. are some of the important and popular tourist attractions at Namchi. a) Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-Tourism, Chemchey It is located in the pristine mountains of Central Himalaya on the lap of majestic Kanchenjunga. The mission of the center is to initiate, develop and sustain the highest levels of excellence for adventure and eco-tourism through safe, environmentally responsible activities, to develop local skills and to sensitize on established traditions. Volume IX Issue VII JULY 2020 Page No : 469 Science, Technology and Development ISSN : 0950-0707 b) Namchi Central Park This Parkbasically acts as the Central Business District (CBD) of this hilly town. It extends near about one sq. km. Commercial centers like banks, ATMs, hotels, restaurants, vegetable market, public transport terminal and different types of shops like medicine shop, curio shops etc. are available here. The roadside weekly small market is now transformed into the present-day CBD. At present 98% tourists of Namchi stay at this place. c) TareyBhir It is a very interesting place to visit for those who adore natural relief and mountain. It is along a ridge having 10,000 ft. length. The panoramic confluence of Teesta and Rangit rivers and also many beautiful river valleys and forests of Sikkim can be seen from here. d)Temi Tea Garden It is the only tea estate of Sikkim which produces top quality tea for international market. The tea garden was established in the year of 1969 and covers an area of 435 acres. Here, the tea garden is extended on a gentle hill slope originating from the Tendong hill. It provides a magnificent view of the surrounding villages. The visitors came to know about the tea processing methods here. There is an old British bungalow that lies below the tea garden, providing an option to stay more-close to nature. e) Bhaichung Football Stadium One of the highlights of Namchi town is the Bhaichung Football Stadium built by Sikkimese Government in honor of its most honored citizen footballer BhaichungBhutia. In almost every year ‘The Gold Cup’ football tournament is held in this stadium. f) Buddha Park (TathagataTsal) It is situated near Ravangla, at the base of Maenam hill and was constructed between 2006 and 2013. A high statue of Lord Buddha (130 ft.) is at the center place of this park. g) SiddheswarDham or Char Dham It is 5 km away from Namchi town and is situated at Solophok hill. Here, the 108 feet statue of Lord Shiva is encircled and supported by a girdle of twelve Jyotirlingams, which is situated in four different places of India like East as Jagannath, West as Dwarika, South as Rameshawaram and North as BadrinathDham. Especially Hindus are considered as main Volume IX Issue VII JULY 2020 Page No : 470 Science, Technology and Development ISSN : 0950-0707 pilgrimage at Char Dham. It was the first Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) venture of the Government of Sikkim at Namchi.