Shri Jagmohan, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, GOI inaugurated the South Asia Regional Conference on Ecotourism (SARCE 2002) by lighting the traditional butter lamp. The speakers of the inauguration ceremony were Mr. P. D. Rai, Chairman of Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim, Mrs Megan Epler Wood, President of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), Mr. K. T. Gyalsten, Minister of Tourism, Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling, Hon Chief Minister of Sikkim, His Excellency Kidar Nath Sahani and Honourable Union Minister for Tourism, Mr. Jagmohan.

In his welcome speech, Mr. Rai spoke on the need to leverage on the physical capital of Sikkim for all-round sustainable 

development. He emphasised the need to educate the local communities about the value and the importance of protecting the highly fragile and vulnerable ecosystem of Sikkim. This was one of the key reasons for Sikkim being the host for SARCE 2002. 

Ms. Wood in her keynote address gave a brief overview on the reasons why United Nation’s chose this year as the Year of International Tourism and the various regional and global conferences that were planned across the world. She elaborated on why Sikkim was chosen as the host state for the South Asia Regional Conference on Ecotourism.

Mr. K.T. Gyaltsen, the Minister for Tourism, Sikkim spoke about the progress of the Tourism industry in Sikkim. Mr. Gyalsten emphasised the importance of Tourism in the State’s economy and how it affects all segments of the local economy. He encouraged all the delegates and the visitors to take some time out and enjoy the beauty and the hospitality of Sikkim. 

The Honourable Chief Minister of Sikkim, Mr. P. K. Chamling expressed his delight about the presence of the Honourable Minister for Tourism, India. The Chief Minister talked about re-orienting development through ecotourism at the smallest levels. He emphasised the exploitation of the villages and said he was striving to help them at every step. He requested the Central Government for the conversion of Bagdogra airport into an international airport for the SAARC countries and also about connecting New Jalpaiguri railway station directly with Bodhgaya. Mr. Chamling spoke about the importance of taking people along and hoped that ecotourism would be a vehicle for developing the rural economy of the state. He said that equity distribution of resources will ensure all-round development of the rural economy and in the process empowering local people. 

His Excellency the Governor of Sikkim, Mr. Kidar Nath Sahani emphasised the preservation of the natural resources and encouraged the people to think for universal welfare. He elaborated that he would also like to see people striking a balance between the use of the natural resources and their needs. In this regard he said that work being done all over the world in areas similar to Sikkim was critical. Mr. Sahani said historically India is a land which espoused the philosophy on which ecotourism is based. 

The Chief Guest, Mr. Jagmohan gave a brief overview of India’s tourism policy and gave his commitment that the deliberations of the SARCE 2002 would be seriously looked at by the policy makers. He hoped that Sikkim with her rich biodiversity would be a model state for the world on ecotourism. He too focused on equitable distribution of resources and the urgent need to correct the imbalances that are present in today’s world. There have been a number of global conferences and commissions but unfortunately the quality of life of the masses and environment have not improved. Presently the world has no respect for equity, and unless the world is willing to share its equity, the possibility that overall better life improvement takes place, looks dim. He emphasised the need for awareness among all people and specifically amongst the younger generation. He also acknowledged the role of all the organisations that had worked towards making the conference possible. 

Mr. Jagmohan said that Sikkim should be a role model for ecotourism and also guaranteed that he would help to take firm measures in all possible ways. He assured that the Government of India would look seriously into the deliberations drawn out of the conference to formulate a longstanding national policy. He requested the people to maintain the cosmic balance between man and nature. He also made a commitment to establish a cultural centre in Sikkim. Mr. Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim Mr. Jagmohan, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture.