SAA launches Chirberay Riverfest to mark 25 years of conservation and angling promotion

GANGTOK,: The Sikkim Anglers Association (SAA), in collaboration with the Government of Sikkim, on Sunday announced the launch of the “Chirberay Riverfest”, a special initiative commemorating the association’s 25-year journey in promoting angling, river conservation, eco-tourism, and sustainable environmental practices in the State. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the SAA office at Indira Bypass here. Speaking on the occasion, the SAA vice president outlined the association’s long-standing objectives. “Our primary motto is protecting the aquatic ecosystem. We also aim to build a sustainable ecosystem around riverine systems, promote the reproduction of indigenous fish species through breeding programmes, and advocate angling as a sport,” he said. Addressing common misconceptions about angling, he emphasized that the sport follows a catch-and-release approach. “Many people view anglers as fish killers. We want to change that perception. Angling is a sport where fish are caught, observed, enjoyed, and then released back into the river. It is not about taking fish from the stream to the pan,” he said. Tracing the association’s history, he noted that the SAA was formally registered in 2000 and has since attracted the involvement of several prominent personalities, including former chief secretary K.C. Pradhan, former Forest secretary T.R. Sharma, Tourism secretary Karma Gyatso, and members Dr. D.K. Subba, Dr. Dewan, Dr. Namgyal, and senior scientist Tashi Bhutia. “After completing 25 years, we felt it was important to share our journey and achievements with the public while introducing our future initiatives,” he added. Project director Uday Chandra said despite its long history and distinguished membership, much of the association’s work had remained outside the public domain. “For 25 years, the association functioned more like a closed club. We resolved to bring our experiences to society and develop tourism-based activities that benefit local communities,” he said. According to Uday Chandra, discussions with Chief Minister P.S. Golay helped expand the vision. “The Chief Minister encouraged us to implement these ideas on a larger scale so that the benefits reach a wider section of society. From those discussions, three major projects emerged,” he said. The first project focuses on transforming the Rolep River into a niche trout angling destination. Chandra said the initiative involves river restoration, community participation, and homestay development. “Approximately 300,000 trout fingerlings have already been released under a Fisheries department initiative. This is a community-led programme involving 18 homestays,” he said. The second project aims to redevelop the historic Topakhani tunnel into a tourism hub. “It is a heritage site with significant historical value. We are converting it into a museum and tourist stopover point that can attract visitors and emerge as a major tourism centre,” he added. The centrepiece of the initiative is the upcoming Chirberay Riverfest, scheduled to be held over three days towards the end of September at Chirbirey Tar near the Rangeet River. “This will serve as a curtain-raiser event focused on angling as a sport while featuring a range of outdoor and nature-based activities. The entire area is being revived as a tourism and camping destination,” Chandra said. He added that the festival aims to promote activities such as angling, camping, and environmental conservation. “Angling is not merely about catching fish; it is about connecting with nature and building a meaningful relationship with it,” he said. The initiative is also expected to create opportunities for local entrepreneurs and youth. Chandra said the organisers would provide space and mentorship to startups and local businesses. “Since visitors will come through our platform, entrepreneurs can focus on their services without significant financial risks,” he said, adding that the Commerce and Industries Department, along with the Fisheries and Tourism Departments, is supporting the initiative. The organisers revealed that the site will operate as a year-round destination, with the three-day festival serving as its official inauguration. A dedicated booking website is expected to be launched next week, while a social media campaign has already begun. “Visitor slots will be limited, and we encourage people to book early,” Chandra said. Highlighting the environmental dimension of the project, he said the festival is closely linked to long-term river conservation efforts. “To develop the Rangeet River into a sustainable angling destination, the river must remain healthy and support thriving fish populations. We are implementing a three-to-five-year revival plan, including hatchery development,” he said. He further noted that Chirbirey Tar was selected due to its accessibility and strategic location. “It is approximately one hour from Darjeeling, two hours from Gangtok, 40 minutes from Namchi, one hour from Kalimpong, and two hours from Siliguri, making it an ideal destination,” he said. Presenting a broader vision for the State’s tourism sector, senior scientist Prakash Sharma stressed the need to integrate agriculture, spirituality, and natural landscapes into Sikkim’s tourism model to ensure long-term sustainability. According to Sharma, future tourism growth will depend on agro-based ecotourism and sustainable fisheries centred on conserving indigenous species such as the golden mahseer rather than relying on non-native species. He emphasized the importance of scientific hatcheries, comparative river studies, and protected fish sanctuaries to safeguard native fish populations from threats posed by industrial and pharmaceutical effluents. Sharma noted that regulated angling destinations and seasonal festivals could position Sikkim within the global ecotourism market, drawing inspiration from successful models in countries such as New Zealand and Norway. He further advocated for targeted government funding, community participation, and ecosystem payment mechanisms that channel corporate social responsibility resources from pharmaceutical and hydroelectric companies into long-term environmental conservation efforts. The organisers reiterated that the initiative is community-oriented and focused on conservation and sustainable development rather than commercial profit.     

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SAA launches Chirberay Riverfest to mark 25 years of conservation and angling promotion

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