The tree plantation initiative will see a total of two
lakh trees helping to fight tourism-related pollution
North Sikkim, known for its breathtaking winter snowfalls,
is a favourite destination for both domestic and international tourists.
According to Permit Cell data, North Sikkim recorded its highest single-day
tourist footfall on December 23, 2024, with 2,628 visitors exploring the region
in 486 vehicles. However, this significant influx of tourists contributes to
rising pollution in Sikkim's wetlands, particularly around Tsomgo Lake, one of
the region’s most popular attractions.
“There is an urgent need to adopt eco-sensitive travel
practices to preserve Sikkim's natural beauty. Coordinated efforts must focus
on raising awareness among visitors about minimizing waste, avoiding plastic
use, respecting local wildlife and habitats and supporting eco-tourism
initiatives. Reducing carbon footprint, curtailing waste generation and
practising responsible tourism is critically important. One effective way to
protect this fragile ecosystem is by planting more trees in the region,” says Mr.
Pradip Shah, co-founder of the social enterprise Grow-Trees.com.
Given the pressing need to preserve Sikkim's ecosystem,
Grow-Trees.com is expanding its Trees for Ecotourism™ initiative by planting
50,000 more trees in the region. So far, 1,52,000 trees have been planted in
the catchment zone of the Tsomgo watershed at the fringe of the Kyongnosla
Alpine Sanctuary in the Gnathang Block. Mr Shah says these trees help mitigate
the negative effects of increased tourism, such as soil erosion, habitat loss,
and pollution.
The trees for the initiative were carefully selected,
including species like Rhododendron and Silver Fir, which are resilient to
extreme weather conditions such as snowfall. The project also ensures the
active participation of local communities, primarily consisting of yak herders,
farmers and those running small shops near Tsomgo Lake, in planting and
maintaining the trees. The project has also been a boon for women in the area,
providing them with an opportunity to earn extra income through tasks such as digging
pits, planting saplings and nurturing them.
“Being the sole breadwinner for my family of four, I manage
a tourist cab service. Joining the Trees for Ecotourism™ project as a
coordinator helped me earn additional income and, more importantly, contribute
to the well-being of our community and the environment,” says 42-year-old
Sangay Sherpa, a resident of Tsomgo.
About the impact of the initiative on their quality of life, Shasi Tamang, a 28-year-old farmer from Tsomgo says: “The project significantly improved our financial well-being. I worked on the Grow-Trees project for about 30 days, digging trenches, transporting saplings from the nursery, and planting them at the site. It was hard work, but I am grateful for the opportunity because it allowed us to contribute to the environment.”
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