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Flower Show in Sikkim's Gangtok Lightens Mood amid Corona Crisis

Flower Show in Sikkim's Gangtok Lightens Mood amid Corona Crisis

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Gangtok, March 15, 2020:

Despite the nationwide fears of the pandemic Coronavirus (or COVID-19) and stringent steps taken by the authorities to prevent an outbreak a la Italy or China, the state of Sikkim saw a positive development in the form of the Flower Show, that is held every year in the state capital, Gangtok.

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Chief Minister P S Tamang today inaugurated the Sikkim Flower Show 2020 here at Flower Exhibition Center, White Hall complex in Gangtok. The flower show is being organised by Sikkim Flower Show committee. The flower show was organised to encourage people to participate in conservation of Orchids in the Himalayan region and to encourage and promote an alternative means of livelihood. What is more, the organizing committee also gave away prizes for best flowers.

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Chief Minister PS Tamang, earlier, was also seen cutting the cake of The Sikkim Flower Show 2020. Tamang, after the inauguration of the flower show, walked through the flower dome wherein he was explained about the hosting the event and introduced to the participants.

ALSO READ: Northeast Frontier Railway Takes Measures against Pandemic Coronavirus

CM in his brief address shared "the flower festival which has been one of the main tourist attractions in the state has attracted domestic as well as international visitors. It was very encouraging to see growers participating in this exhibition." He further added, "I would like to appeal to our growers and floriculturist to come forward and participate in such exhibitions with more enthusiasm and zeal."

However, it is expected that due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, footfall will be lesser this year in comparison to previous years. The tourism industry in the state has been badly hit by the pandemic.

It is pertinent to mention here that local administrations at Lachen and Lachung — two favourite destinations in North Sikkim district — have barred entry of tourists and labourers from outside the state in view of the threat posed by the coronavirus. The decisions were taken by Dzumsas, which is a traditional system of local self-governance recognised by the Sikkimese government.

Now, the tourism industry has taken a severe hit -- and crores of rupees has been lost. Famous tourist destinations like Gurudongmar lake and Yumthang valley (which is a famous tourist destination and it is also known as valley of flower) have been closed. This is the perfect flower blossom time and Lachung and Lachen village (which itself is a zero plastic village) are now closed to visitors and even labourers from outside have been barred from entering.

Talking to Inside Northeast, Lukendra Rasaily who is the Advisor of Travel Agents and Association of Sikkim complained that the economy will most likely be crippled if the Tourism industry continues taking hits due to the “Government has not given advisory, they have completely stopped foreigners from coming here. Tourists from Bhutan and Nepal do not need permits to come here, but they too have been stopped. This will impact the economy dangerously. Nobody can tell how long this will last, no vaccine is there..”

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Edited By: Admin
Published On: Mar 15, 2020