Plea to develop Sikkim as int'l tourist destination

Members in the Rajya Sabha on Saturday demanded for special financial assistance to Sikkim to develop it as an international tourist destination.

Moving a private member's resolution, the Sikkim Democratic Front leader O T Lepcha said: "The state is full of natural and scenic beauty. Eighty-seven per cent of the state is under forest cover and the third highest peak of the world, Mount Kanchenjunga, is in the state".

Stating that there is more potential for tourism in Sikkim than Switzerland, he said: "There are 21 glaciers in Sikkim while there are only nine is Switzerland. he road rail and air connectivity should be improved to make it an attractive tourist destination. And for all this, the government should consider giving it special financial assistance".

Participating in the discussion, the BJP member S S Ahluwalia and other MPs complimented the state government for conserving the natural resources of the state and spoke in favour of Lepcha's demand.

Source: TOI