Ecotourism and Community Conservation Projects

The Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim works with rural communities and government and non-governmental agencies. Our mission is to implement integrated community conservation and tourism-related development projects. These interventions help rural communities to become self reliant, and to plan and manage their resources. As a result, there are more incentives for local people to remain in their villages.


Two Projects around Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve
The Khangchendzonga region in the eastern Himalaya is listed among the world’s ten most critical centers for biodiversity and endemism. It is home to more than 450 species of orchids, 36 species of rhododendrons, 550 species of birds and 650 species of butterflies.

We are currently implementing two projects in villages adjacent to the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in North and West Sikkim. The goal of the projects is to generate sustainable livelihoods for local people. The projects promote community conservation by diversifying livelihood options. For example, we train local unemployed youth to become naturalist guides and cooks in the park. We also focus on reducing the environmental impact of villages in and around the reserve. For example, cardamom is the major cash crop in the region, and we are helping develop a cardamom-curing kiln that reduces excessive fuel wood consumption. To ensure that our efforts are sustainable, we continue to build capacity in community-based organizations and individuals.