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.