Sikkim shuts door for tourists till October in view of pandemic

Darjeeling: Sikkim, a favourite haunt for tourists, especially from Bengal, has decided to keep its doors closed till October owing to the ongoing pandemic. The Himalayan state has also decided to forego border trade with the Tibetan Autonomous Region in China, along with the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

"As of now the government has decided not to allow tourists including domestic ones into the state till October. However, there will be a time to time review of the situation and accordingly we will decide," stated BS Panth, minister in charge of Tourism and Civil Aviation, government of Sikkim.

The state of Sikkim has not recorded a single COVID-19 positive case till date.

Around 8 lakh domestic tourists visit Sikkim annually, with the foreign footfall at around 40,000.

"The government has also decided not to renew border trade with China on May 1. Also, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Nathula Pass in Sikkim will not be allowed this year. We will write to the Centre regarding this," said the Tourism minister.

Nathula (4,310 m) is located on the Indo-China border in the east district of Sikkim near Gangtok. A thriving trade route, border trade had earlier been halted in 1962 following the Sino-India war.

Border trade with Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) resumed through this high altitude Nathula Pass again on July 6, 2006. In the first year, the total trade through this pass amounted to Rs 20 lakh. Border trade takes place 4 days a week from May 1 till November 30 each year.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra organised by the Ministry of External Affairs through Nathula commenced in 2015. It takes place from June to September each year.

Following an announcement by the Chinese President during his visit to India in 2014, the Kailash Yatra commenced through Nathula from 2015. In the first batch, 40 pilgrims had undertaken the Yatra from Delhi on June 16, 2015.

"The tourism industry will take at least 8 to 9 months to become functional. Health is the main concern at this hour. We will abide by whatever the government decides" said Samrat Sanyal, general secretary, Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network.