YUKSAM, : Khecheopalri, under
Gyalshing district, is set to host “Run for Khecheopalri Lake” marathon on May
11 as part of the 50th year of Statehood celebrations.
The
event is being organised by Khachoedpalri Pokhari Sangrakshan Samiti (KPSS)
under Gyalshing Territorial Division of the Forest and Environment department,
with support from Tourism and Ecclesiastical Affairs departments.
CCF-cum-Chief
Wildlife Warden Dr. Manjunath from Forest Headquarters, Gangtok visited
Khecheopalri today to oversee the preparations and conduct a site inspection.
He was accompanied by Gyalshing DFO (T) Kshitij Saxena, DFO, Range Officer
(KNP/T) Tenzing W. Bhutia, panchayat members and local stakeholders.
During
the visit, the officials also inspected the newly-established forest
office-cum-reading corner at Khecheopalri.
Khecheopalri
Lake has been designated as a Ramsar Site recently, recognising it as a wetland
of international importance. The marathon aims to promote sustainable tourism
and highlight the ecological and spiritual significance of Khecheopalri Lake,
which is Sikkim’s first Ramsar Site.
The
marathon is being organised with the active involvement of local organisations
and stakeholders including Yuksam Tourism Development Committee (YTDC), Friends
Forever Sporting Club, Darkar Tashiding Motorcycle Club and MKC Chojo.
The
event will have a 24-kilometre marathon from Yuksam to Khecheopalri and an
eight-kilometre spiritual run, which involves seven circumambulations around
the sacred lake. Winners will receive cash prizes across multiple categories,
while all participants will be awarded commemorative medals and souvenirs.
The
official event poster was recently unveiled by Forest and Environment minister
Pintso Namgyal Lepcha.
Registrations
for the event are currently open, both online and offline. Interested
participants can contact the following numbers for more details: 83898 12628,
78660 99525, 75489 80922 and 97497 15036.
