Sikkim highlights role in proposed NE Buddhist Tourism Circuit

GANGTOK,: Sikkim highlighted its potential as a key destination in the proposed Buddhist Tourism Circuit for North East India, during a post-Budget webinar organized by the Ministry of Tourism on March 9.

The webinar aimed to strategize an action plan for the implementation of tourism-related announcements made in the Union Budget 2026-27, with a focus on diversifying India’s tourism offerings, strengthening traditional, cultural, and natural assets of the region and promoting balanced development, State Tourism department said in a press release.

The event brought together officials from several Central ministries, representatives from State governments and Union Territories, as well as stakeholders from the tourism, hospitality and sports sectors.

Addressing the webinar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said tourism could play a major role in generating employment and strengthening local economies. He outlined a series of new initiatives aimed at improving the country’s tourism ecosystem.

These included the creation of a National Institute of Hospitality, designed to strengthen professional training in the sector, and a programme to upskill 10,000 tourist guides through a 12-week training course in collaboration with the Indian Institutes of Management.

Modi also announced the development of a National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid, intended to digitally document and promote India’s cultural, spiritual and heritage sites.

Another proposal focuses on eco-sustainable tourism trails, such as mountain, turtle and bird-watching trails, aimed at promoting responsible tourism while conserving natural ecosystems.

Representing Sikkim at the meeting, C.S. Rao, additional chief secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation department, highlighted the State’s deep historical and cultural links with Buddhism.

Rao emphasized the immense potential of the State of Sikkim as one of the country’s leading Buddhist tourism destinations. He reinforced his observations by highlighting Sikkim’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage, including the presence of some of the oldest monasteries in the region, and provided an overview of the current status of Buddhist tourism in the State, the release states.

He further appraised the august gathering that the number of tourists travelling to Sikkim, including international Buddhist pilgrims, has been increasing steadily in recent years. He also highlighted the presence of key monasteries and cultural assets that distinguish the State as a prominent Buddhist destination, and noted that the recent budget announcements could further strengthen tourism offerings and connectivity in the region.

Rao also pointed to the work of the States’ Ecclesiastical Affairs department, which oversees the preservation and promotion of Buddhist traditions and institutions in the State. He added that Sikkim has a unique Sangha constituency, which represents the monastic community in the State’s Legislative Assembly.

Elaborating on the Government of Sikkim’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting Buddhist heritage, he referred to initiatives such as the notification of sacred sites, the prohibition of animal slaughter during auspicious occasions, and the continued observance of traditional religious events, including the recently concluded Bhumchu Festival at Tashiding Monastery.

During the discussion, Rao proposed that Buddhist Conclave 2026 be hosted in Sikkim. Tourism ministry responded positively to the suggestion, the release mentions.

He also called for the formulation of a “Buddhist Heritage Master Plan” for the North-East by mapping important monasteries and Buddhist circuits across the region, which, the department said, which was duly noted by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). The proposal received support from the International Buddhist Confederation.

Deliberations were held among the participating ministries, State governments, experts and stakeholders, focusing on coordinated planning and the effective implementation of tourism initiatives announced in the Union Budget. The discussions underscored the importance of enhanced collaboration, convergence of schemes, and alignment of efforts to strengthen India’s tourism ecosystem, the release adds.

In his remarks, Union Tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the government aimed to maximise the impact of budget allocations for tourism while encouraging collaboration between Central and State authorities.

He emphasized the need to ensure optimal utilization and maximum impact of the budgetary allocations announced for the tourism sector. He stated that India possesses immense potential to emerge as a global leader in holistic tourism development, supported by its rich cultural diversity and abundant natural resources.

He also highlighted opportunities in community-based tourism, technology-driven visitor experiences and sports tourism, while stressing the importance of building skills within the tourism sector.

Emphasizing the importance of sustainability in tourism development, he called for greater coherence and synergy among Central ministries, State governments and tourism stakeholders, and encouraged all stakeholders to work in close coordination to achieve the vision of the Prime Minister for strengthening and transforming the tourism sector in India.