Sikkim hosts Nepal delegation for Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve knowledge exchange

A Nepal delegation concluded a three-day knowledge exchange visit to Sikkim's Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR) from May 20 to 22. The visit was part of a collaborative effort to learn from Sikkim’s success in preserving the ecologically and culturally rich park, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016 and a Biosphere Reserve in 2018.
 

The visit was jointly facilitated by UNESCO’s Regional Office for South Asia in New Delhi and a Nepal-based NGO named Smrida Pahad, in coordination with the Forest Department of Sikkim. The key objective was to enable the Nepalese delegation to understand the processes, benefits, and challenges involved in getting UNESCO recognition for protected natural areas.

In his opening address, Sandeep Tambee, Principal Secretary, Science and Technology Department, explained how the Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) is managed using advanced technology like strong offline camera traps and real-time surveillance systems including Elun Musk’s Starlink.

Despite these high-tech measures, he emphasized that border security remains a concern due to ongoing transborder smuggling, as the borders are porous and difficult to fully control. Alongside such challenges, the park also faces threats from feral dogs, wildfires, and damage to conifer forests. However, one of the key successes of KNP has been its commitment to maintaining a zero waste environment, which has earned appreciation from visitors and conservationists alike.
 

Speaking about the purpose of the visit, Neha Midha, Program Officer, Natural Sciences at UNESCO’s Regional Office in New Delhi, said, “This is a knowledge exchange visit of the Nepalese delegate to the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve. The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve received UNESCO international designation in 2018. Currently, Nepal is trying to get the Khangchendzonga Conservation Area on their side designated as a Biosphere Reserve as well. They had some questions and queries", she said.
 

"So, we thought the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in India—which shares both cultural and natural heritage with Nepal—would be the best place to address those questions. It's a three-day visit, where the Nepalese delegates are interacting with the managers of the KBR. They are also visiting the field and talking to local communities to understand the benefits of the Biosphere Reserve designation," she said.
 

"They are learning how it was achieved, how it is being maintained, and what the challenges and opportunities are. UNESCO, along with the local NGO Smrida Pahad, is organizing this visit," she further added.

The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is not only a symbol of natural beauty but also a model of community-based conservation and sustainable development. Its success has drawn international attention, and the Nepal delegation hoped to draw valuable insights from Sikkim’s efforts.
 

D. Manjunatha, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Sikkim, also spoke in detail about the importance of the visit and what it means for the state. He said “In Sikkim, we are managing the Khangchendzonga National Park as the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, which is also a UNESCO Mixed World Heritage Site, declared in 2016. The delegation from Nepal, along with coordination by UNESCO, came to observe the functioning of KBR."
 

"They see it as a role model and wanted to learn from its success. UNESCO has appreciated how our Forest Department is managing the reserve and even encouraged the nomination from our side. It’s a matter of pride for us that KBR has become an inspiration for others," he said.
 

"Nepal now wants to create a similar Biosphere Reserve on their side of the Kanchenjunga range, eventually aiming for World Heritage Site recognition. So this visit is very meaningful. It also shows that Sikkim is doing well in preservation and sustainable tourism," he added, further stating, "I just returned from trekking in the park myself, and I saw firsthand how clean and well-maintained it is. Trekkers appreciate that there is no waste inside the park. I even noticed our staff picking up tiny chocolate wrappers from the trail."

"I am personally proud because I started my career in Yuksom back in 2006 with a small setup. I’ve seen how the area has changed. The local stakeholders have grown and prospered over the years. The Nepalese delegates are getting to witness this transformation, and I believe they are taking back a lot of inspiration with them”, he further added. 
 

During the three-day program, the delegates visited several parts of the reserve, met with field-level forest staff, interacted with local communities involved in eco-tourism, and studied the management and conservation practices in place. They also discussed how the Biosphere Reserve status has brought recognition, tourism and responsibility to the area.