The tourism sector in Sikkim, a popular destination for both domestic and international travelers, frequently faces disruptions due to climate adversities such as floods and landslides. These natural disasters have consistently impacted the region, causing significant challenges for the industry.
Sikkim Tourism Statistics and Challenges
On June 16, 2023, Sikkim experienced heavy torrential rains, leading to severe landslides and the washing away of a bridge near Chungthang in North Sikkim. As a result, approximately 3,500 tourists were left stranded. This event underscores the persistent vulnerability of the region to climatic disruptions. The 2023 ISRO Landslide Atlas reports that Sikkim faced 1,569 landslides between 2000 and 2017, highlighting the region's long-standing struggle with such natural calamities. Despite these challenges, Sikkim’s tourism industry showed remarkable resilience. Up to March 31, 2023, the state welcomed a record-breaking 290,401 tourists, including 256,537 domestic visitors and 30,864 international tourists. This surge is attributed to the rebuilding efforts following the devastating flash floods in October 2023, which severely impacted the hospitality sector.
Sikkim's unique landscape, characterized by high altitude variation, restricts habitable areas to just 20% of the state. The region receives one of the highest rainfall levels in India and lies within Seismic Zone IV/V, making it highly susceptible to landslides, floods, and riverbank erosion. Consequently, a significant portion of the local population is affected by these calamities annually.
Tourism plays a crucial role in Sikkim’s economy, with approximately 75% of the workforce engaged in tourism-related activities. However, the industry is currently dominated by high-volume, low-value tourism, which is concentrated in specific areas. This concentration exacerbates the state's climate vulnerability. Additionally, the increasing frequency of natural calamities and climate change risks, such as threats to high-altitude wetlands, pose significant challenges to the industry's resilience.
By the 2050s, Sikkim’s average maximum temperature is expected to rise by 1.8-2.6°C, with temperature increases varying from lower to higher altitudes. Changes in precipitation patterns are also projected, with the southern part of Sikkim likely to experience a decrease of about 25% from the baseline.
Strategic Diversification and Capacity Enhancement
To support Sikkim's tourism sector, the World Bank has initiated the Sikkim Integrated Service Provision and Innovation for Reviving Economies Program (INSPIRES). This program aims to promote eco-tourism by fostering entrepreneurship in this sector. By focusing on attracting a lower volume of high-value tourists, the program intends to reduce the environmental stress caused by tourism.
The INSPIRES program aims to diversify tourist destinations within Sikkim, encouraging establishments to move away from climate-vulnerable areas like the South and West districts and explore new, less-impact regions. This strategy is designed to enhance the sector's resilience to climate risks.
The program will also focus on enhancing the capacity of existing tourism institutions in the state, enabling them to train tourism entrepreneurs. Emphasis will be placed on expanding eco-tourism, promoting the conservation of natural habitats, utilizing renewable energy, and implementing sustainable waste management practices. Raising climate awareness through educational experiences will also be a key component.
Implementation Progress
The project, sanctioned in 2023, has made significant strides. The Planning and Development Department has established a Program Management Unit, and six out of eight departments have formed Program Implementation Units. Four out of five prior results have been achieved, and supporting documents have been submitted to the World Bank for review. The initial stages of program activities have shown promising progress.
Sikkim's Tourism sector, while facing significant challenges from climate adversities, shows remarkable resilience and potential for sustainable development. Through strategic initiatives like the World Bank’s INSPIRES program, the state aims to build a more resilient and eco-friendly tourism industry, ensuring long-term sustainability and economic stability amidst the evolving climate landscape.
