In a landmark initiative aimed at promoting sustainable tourism in rural Sikkim, Dojok Village in the 15-Rangang Yangang Constituency is being evaluated for its potential to become a major adventure tourism hotspot. On June 16, a multi-agency team comprising tourism officials, technical engineers, panchayat leaders, and international adventure specialists conducted a comprehensive inspection and technical feasibility survey in the village.
The initiative was undertaken under the leadership of the Hon’ble Deputy Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Smt. Raj Kumari Thapa, with strategic guidance from Shri Karma Subba, Officer on Special Duty (Political Affairs) to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim.
The visit was part of an integrated tourism development strategy aligned with the Government of Sikkim’s broader mission to expand the state’s tourism portfolio. This is beyond traditional sightseeing, focusing instead on immersive and activity-based experiences.
Key Stakeholders in the Survey Mission
The inspection team consisted of a robust delegation from the Sikkim Tourism Department and local governance bodies:
- Shri Kaji Sherpa, Joint Director-cum-Principal, Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure & Ecotourism (IHCAE),
- Shri Manoj Kumar Chettri, Deputy Director, Tourism Department,
- Shri Yapchung Tsh Bhutia, Hon’ble Zilla Panchayat, Rabong-Sangmoo Territorial Constituency,
- Smt. Dil Maya Rai, Hon’ble Panchayat of Dojok,
- Shri Bidhan Sharma, Assistant Engineer,
- Junior Engineers from the Tourism Department,
- Shri Tej Narayan Choudhary, Trail Bridge Engineer,
- Adventure Tourism Team from The Last Resort, Nepal,
- Active participation from local youth and residents of Dojok Village.
This inter-disciplinary team brought together administrative leadership, engineering expertise, tourism experience, and grassroots-level involvement to holistically assess the area’s natural topography and infrastructure readiness.
Why Dojok Village?
Dojok is a quaint village located in the serene foothills of Yangang in Sikkim’s Namchi District. Enveloped by lush green forests, undisturbed biodiversity, and pristine rivers, the village is naturally suited for a range of adventure activities including:
- Ziplining
- Rope bridges
- Rock climbing
- Trekking trails
- Mountain biking
- Paragliding
- River-based activities like canyoning and rappelling
The terrain’s diversity makes it ideal for constructing safe and environmentally conscious adventure setups.
According to field experts from The Last Resort, a renowned adventure tourism group from Nepal, Dojok’s natural features offer comparable, if not superior, potential to Nepal’s own adventure zones. Their technical experts praised the natural cliffs, stable soil profiles, and the possibility of developing sustainable, low-impact adventure infrastructure.
Economic and Employment Opportunities
Shri Karma Subba emphasized that one of the core objectives behind the adventure tourism initiative is rural empowerment through job creation and entrepreneurship. With tourism becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors in the Himalayan belt, the development of Dojok could provide direct employment to:
- Local youth as certified adventure guides
- Women-led homestay operators
- Local craftsmen and builders
- Transport and food vendors
Officials from the Tourism Department assured that any development will be aligned with the principles of eco-tourism and community-based tourism, ensuring minimal environmental disruption and maximum local participation.
Smt. Raj Kumari Thapa, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker, reaffirmed that this initiative ties into the state’s larger tourism vision of decentralization and inclusion. “Adventure tourism not only brings economic value but also allows young people in rural areas to dream bigger, without having to migrate to cities,” she noted.
Technical Feasibility Findings
Preliminary reports from the engineers and technical surveyors indicate that the location is well-suited for establishing small to mid-scale adventure infrastructure. Soil strength, topographical layering, and weather conditions were found to be favorable. Key takeaways include:
- Terrain stability is adequate for trail bridges and climbing stations
- Proximity to roads and local hubs allows ease of access for tourists
- Ample water sources to support operations and visitor needs
- Opportunities for connecting with other local attractions for circuit tourism
Shri Kaji Sherpa from IHCAE added that training modules can be immediately planned for local youth under Sikkim’s tourism skilling programs, further accelerating the development cycle.
Next Steps: Pilot Projects and Community Workshops
As a follow-up to the inspection, the Department of Tourism is expected to conduct community workshops in July 2025 to educate residents about the benefits and responsibilities associated with adventure tourism. Simultaneously, feasibility reports will be finalized for a pilot adventure tourism setup, including safety audits and eco-compliance checks.
Sikkim already enjoys a reputation for clean, green, and peaceful tourism. This project aims to build on that brand by showcasing how small villages like Dojok can transform into globally recognized adventure travel destinations — while staying rooted in community values and ecological sustainability.
Conclusion
The technical survey at Dojok Village marks a significant step toward turning South Sikkim into a thriving adventure tourism belt. If executed with sensitivity and vision, this initiative has the potential to create a replicable model for rural tourism development across the Indian Himalayan Region.
For travelers seeking offbeat, thrilling, and meaningful experiences, Dojok may soon be the next name on the map.
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Disclaimer:
This image is AI-generated and created for illustrative purposes only. It may not accurately represent the actual events, individuals, or locations described in the news article.
