News & Announcement
Khecheopalri to Host ‘Run for Khecheopalri Lake’ Marathon on May 11
Gyalshing, April 28 (IPR):
Khecheopalri, under Gyalshing district, is set to host the "Run for Khecheopalri Lake" marathon on May 11, as part of the Sikkim 50th Year of Statehood celebrations.
The event is being organised by the Khachoedpalri Pokhari Sangrakshan Samiti (KPSS) under the Gyalshing Territorial Division of the Forest and Environment Department, with support from the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department and the Ecclesiastical Affairs Department.
In preparation for the event, Dr D Manjunatha, CCF-cum-Chief Wildlife Warden from the Forest Headquarters, Deorali, Gangtok, visited Khecheopalri today to oversee the preparations and conduct a site inspection. He was accompanied by Mr Saxena Kshitij, DFO, Gyalshing Territorial Division, Mr Tenzing W Bhutia, Range Officer (KNP/T) Yuksam Range, Gram Panchayat members, and local stakeholders.
During the visit, the officials also inspected the newly established forest office-cum-reading corner at Khecheopalri.
Khecheopalri Lake has been designated as a Samsar Site recently, recognising it as a wetland of international importance. The marathon aims to promote sustainable tourism and highlight the ecological and spiritual significance of Khecheopalri Lake, which was recently declared Sikkim’s first Ramsar Site— an international recognition of its environmental value.
The initiative is being organised with the active involvement of local organisations and stakeholders, including Yuksam Tourism Development Committee (YTDC), Friends Forever Sporting Club, Darkar Tashiding Motorcycle Club, MKC Chojo, and others.
The event will feature two race categories: a 24-kilometre run from Yuksam to Khecheopalri, and a 8-kilometre spiritual run, which involves seven circumambulations around the sacred lake. Winners will receive attractive cash prizes across multiple categories, while all participants will be awarded commemorative medals and souvenirs.
As a promotional prelude to the main event, the Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Department and Area MLA, Mr Tshering T Bhutia, recently flagged off a special run from Pelling to Khecheopalri. On the occasion, the Minister also handed over a grant from the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department to KPSS, extending his best wishes for the success of the event.
The official event poster was recently unveiled by the Minister for Forest and Environment, Mr Pintso Namgyal Lepcha.
Registrations for the event are currently open, both online and offline. Interested participants may contact the following numbers for more details: 83898 12628, 78660 99525, 75489 80922, and 97497 15036.
Khecheopalri, under Gyalshing district, is set to host the "Run for Khecheopalri Lake" marathon on May 11, as part of the Sikkim 50th Year of Statehood celebrations.
The event is being organised by the Khachoedpalri Pokhari Sangrakshan Samiti (KPSS) under the Gyalshing Territorial Division of the Forest and Environment Department, with support from the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department and the Ecclesiastical Affairs Department.
In preparation for the event, Dr D Manjunatha, CCF-cum-Chief Wildlife Warden from the Forest Headquarters, Deorali, Gangtok, visited Khecheopalri today to oversee the preparations and conduct a site inspection. He was accompanied by Mr Saxena Kshitij, DFO, Gyalshing Territorial Division, Mr Tenzing W Bhutia, Range Officer (KNP/T) Yuksam Range, Gram Panchayat members, and local stakeholders.
During the visit, the officials also inspected the newly established forest office-cum-reading corner at Khecheopalri.
Khecheopalri Lake has been designated as a Samsar Site recently, recognising it as a wetland of international importance. The marathon aims to promote sustainable tourism and highlight the ecological and spiritual significance of Khecheopalri Lake, which was recently declared Sikkim’s first Ramsar Site— an international recognition of its environmental value.
The initiative is being organised with the active involvement of local organisations and stakeholders, including Yuksam Tourism Development Committee (YTDC), Friends Forever Sporting Club, Darkar Tashiding Motorcycle Club, MKC Chojo, and others.
The event will feature two race categories: a 24-kilometre run from Yuksam to Khecheopalri, and a 8-kilometre spiritual run, which involves seven circumambulations around the sacred lake. Winners will receive attractive cash prizes across multiple categories, while all participants will be awarded commemorative medals and souvenirs.
As a promotional prelude to the main event, the Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Department and Area MLA, Mr Tshering T Bhutia, recently flagged off a special run from Pelling to Khecheopalri. On the occasion, the Minister also handed over a grant from the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department to KPSS, extending his best wishes for the success of the event.
The official event poster was recently unveiled by the Minister for Forest and Environment, Mr Pintso Namgyal Lepcha.
Registrations for the event are currently open, both online and offline. Interested participants may contact the following numbers for more details: 83898 12628, 78660 99525, 75489 80922, and 97497 15036.