Of the total cost of US $89.50 million, US $28 million will be spent in Sikkim, a Sikkim IPR release informed.
During the discussions, the board members of ADB welcomed this sub- regional initiative, which is the first of its kind in the region, and underlined the importance of ensuring cross-border travel, co-ordination across countries, local community participation for inclusive growth and the need for ensuring preservation of cultural heritage as the tourist volumes pick up.
The amount sanctioned for Sikkim is to develop the hill State as Buddhist circuit and the creditline is specifically aimed at developing Buddhist sites in Sikkim. The State Tourism department will act as the executing agency and the project is likely to be completed by September 2014.
Sikkim is part of the sub-regional Buddhist circuit and the Great Himalayan Trail, the ADB project states adding that the State has been experiencing high tourism growth rates at an average of 15 per cent per annum at the aggregate, with international increase at 10 per cent per year.
The ADB project for Sikkim involves creation of access and on site infrastructure and visitor facility improvements to well known Rumtek Monastery, nature based tourism destination infrastructure and facilities including trail development, signages, sanitation improvements and other tourist facilities. Funds would be utilised for setting up a sub-regional training institute to be specialised in eco-tourism and mountaineering inSikkim and also for related capacity building activities for public sector institutions and communities in tourism and heritage management.
Of late, Sikkim has been attracting international interest as a Buddhist circuit hub thanks to the initiatives taken by the State Government to promoteSikkim as an all-round tourist destination. The State Government has already set up the world’s highest statue of Guru Pamdasambhava at Samdruptse in Namchi, SouthSikkim.
Presently, works are going on a war-footing to complete the Sakyamuni project which envisages installation of the statue of Lord Buddha at Manichokerling monastery in Rabong, SouthSikkim . The statue in a sitting position would be of 148 feet and is expected to be the highest Buddha statue in the world. The project is expected to be completed by next year.