Forest Department facelifts Namchi Viewpoint to support income generating activities

Namchi, 18th February: Namchi Viewpoint referred to by the local residents is a popular location within the vicinity of Namchi Smart City. It is located about 2 km from Namchi en-route Namchi-Bhanjyang road in Maniram-Phalidara GPU. The location is a hill side providing a panoramic view of Darjeeling and Namchi. Travelers stop here to enjoy the mesmerizing view. It is an ideal location joggers and cyclist as well. The area attracts a huge number of people from different walks of life and hence is a hub for ecotourism. The popularity of the location encouraged the local villagers for small startups and businesses which would support income generating activities. This however led to the growth of temporary chalets (huts which were being used for such small businesses) which is a form of forest land encroachment.
In order to check this encroachment of forest land alongside supporting the concept of income generating activities, Namchi Territorial Division of Forest and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim, has facelifted the viewpoint with a cafeteria-cum-vegetable shed along with the concept of an open gym to support eco-tourism and livelihood development. This way-side amenity will also generate revenue to further substantiate such noble ideas in the days to come and was funded from the Green India Mission scheme.
Press Release from Forest and Environment Department
Government of Sikkim