Press Release
Press Release from Tourism and Civil Aviation Department
Information & Public Relations Department
Press Release from
Tourism and Civil Aviation Department
Government of Sikkim
Dated: 26.02.2026
The Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-Tourism (IHCAE), Chemchey, under the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, convened its 16th Board Meeting on 25th February 2026 under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Shri TT. Bhutia. The meeting was held in the presence of the Additional Chief Secretary, Shri C.S. Rao, IFS, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Hondala Gyaltsen, Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department; Secretary, Sports Department; Director (Finance); Joint Secretary, Planning and Development Department; Joint Director (Adventure) cum Principal, IHCAE Chemchey; OSD, IHCAE; President and General Secretary, TAAS; General Secretary, SAATO; Administrator, IHCAE; AD (Adventure), DoT&CAv; and other senior officials of the department.
The meeting commenced with a welcome address by the Administrator, IHCAE, followed by a detailed presentation by the Joint Director cum Principal, IHCAE, Chemchey. Various agenda items were deliberated upon extensively, and the Board unanimously approved several key proposals to be taken up on priority. Directions were issued to further broaden strategic approaches for achieving the targets of IHCAE under the INSPIRES programme.
While discussing the upcoming programs of IHCAE, Additional Chief Secretary Shri C.S. Rao applauded the remarkable progress and achievements of IHCAE since its inception. He commended the collective efforts of the management, faculty, and staff in elevating the standards of adventure and eco-tourism training in the State. He encouraged the team to continue striving for excellence and innovation to further strengthen IHCAE’s institutional reputation.
During the meeting, notable achievements of IHCAE were appreciated, particularly Sikkim’s distinction as the first state to produce certified Mountain Guides under structured training programmes. The growing national demand for trained Bird Watching experts developed by IHCAE was also highlighted as a significant accomplishment since the launch of the INSPIRES programme.
The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department reaffirmed its firm commitment towards the overall development and institutional strengthening of IHCAE, Chemchey. The department resolved to extend all necessary administrative and infrastructural support to further enhance the centre’s capacity, quality of training, and national outreach.
During the meeting, Hon'ble Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Launched new Adventure Tourism guide map prepared by the Department.
Hon’ble Minister Shri TT. Bhutia expressed his strong commitment towards transforming IHCAE into a nationally well-recognised premier institute for adventure and eco-tourism in the days to come. He appreciated the Centre’s consistent performance, particularly in producing certified Mountain Guides and skilled Bird Watching experts, and acknowledged the dedication and systematic efforts that have contributed to these milestones. He emphasised that with focused planning, improved infrastructure, and consistent capacity building, IHCAE will emerge as a leading centre of excellence in the Himalayan region.
The INSPIRES project was acknowledged as a pivotal initiative in improving training standards, expanding skill-based programmes, and generating better results for IHCAE, Chemchey. The project has significantly contributed to professional certification, livelihood generation, and strengthening Sikkim’s position in the adventure and eco-tourism sector.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to work in coordination for achieving greater milestones and positioning IHCAE as a flagship institution under the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim.
Tourism and Civil Aviation Department
Government of Sikkim
Dated: 26.02.2026
The Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-Tourism (IHCAE), Chemchey, under the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, convened its 16th Board Meeting on 25th February 2026 under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Shri TT. Bhutia. The meeting was held in the presence of the Additional Chief Secretary, Shri C.S. Rao, IFS, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Hondala Gyaltsen, Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department; Secretary, Sports Department; Director (Finance); Joint Secretary, Planning and Development Department; Joint Director (Adventure) cum Principal, IHCAE Chemchey; OSD, IHCAE; President and General Secretary, TAAS; General Secretary, SAATO; Administrator, IHCAE; AD (Adventure), DoT&CAv; and other senior officials of the department.
The meeting commenced with a welcome address by the Administrator, IHCAE, followed by a detailed presentation by the Joint Director cum Principal, IHCAE, Chemchey. Various agenda items were deliberated upon extensively, and the Board unanimously approved several key proposals to be taken up on priority. Directions were issued to further broaden strategic approaches for achieving the targets of IHCAE under the INSPIRES programme.
While discussing the upcoming programs of IHCAE, Additional Chief Secretary Shri C.S. Rao applauded the remarkable progress and achievements of IHCAE since its inception. He commended the collective efforts of the management, faculty, and staff in elevating the standards of adventure and eco-tourism training in the State. He encouraged the team to continue striving for excellence and innovation to further strengthen IHCAE’s institutional reputation.
During the meeting, notable achievements of IHCAE were appreciated, particularly Sikkim’s distinction as the first state to produce certified Mountain Guides under structured training programmes. The growing national demand for trained Bird Watching experts developed by IHCAE was also highlighted as a significant accomplishment since the launch of the INSPIRES programme.
The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department reaffirmed its firm commitment towards the overall development and institutional strengthening of IHCAE, Chemchey. The department resolved to extend all necessary administrative and infrastructural support to further enhance the centre’s capacity, quality of training, and national outreach.
During the meeting, Hon'ble Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Launched new Adventure Tourism guide map prepared by the Department.
Hon’ble Minister Shri TT. Bhutia expressed his strong commitment towards transforming IHCAE into a nationally well-recognised premier institute for adventure and eco-tourism in the days to come. He appreciated the Centre’s consistent performance, particularly in producing certified Mountain Guides and skilled Bird Watching experts, and acknowledged the dedication and systematic efforts that have contributed to these milestones. He emphasised that with focused planning, improved infrastructure, and consistent capacity building, IHCAE will emerge as a leading centre of excellence in the Himalayan region.
The INSPIRES project was acknowledged as a pivotal initiative in improving training standards, expanding skill-based programmes, and generating better results for IHCAE, Chemchey. The project has significantly contributed to professional certification, livelihood generation, and strengthening Sikkim’s position in the adventure and eco-tourism sector.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to work in coordination for achieving greater milestones and positioning IHCAE as a flagship institution under the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim.