Sustainable Livelihood and Ecotourism

Kewzing Homestay Initiative

In South Sikkim, the Kewzing Village Home Stay initiative showcases how community-driven efforts, supported by SF and the Kewzing Tourism Development Committee, transformed the village’s socio-economic landscape through sustainable tourism.

Role
Community Mobilization, Training and Capacity Building, Infrastructure Development
Funded By:
Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific (AFAP)
Start Date:
Mar 14, 2002
Area Served:
Kewzing, South Sikkim.

Overview
The Kewzing Village Home Stay initiative is a community-based tourism project in South Sikkim aimed at sustainable development, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment. Led by the Sikkim Development Foundation (SF) in collaboration with the Kewzing Tourism Development Committee (KTDC), this initiative offers tourists a unique opportunity to experience authentic Sikkimese village life, while providing alternative livelihoods for the local Bhutia community.

Key Activities & Offerings
Home Stay Experience:

  • Guests stay with local Bhutia families, gaining an intimate glimpse into their daily lives, culture, and traditions.

  • Accommodations are simple, comfortable, and include clean sanitary facilities.

  • Tourists enjoy local cuisine prepared directly in the family kitchens.

Eco & Cultural Tourism Activities:

  • Includes village hikes, monastery tours, nature walks through cardamom plantations, and bird watching.

  • Adventure treks to Menam Peak and river picnics at local attractions like Rangit Water World and Ralang Monastery.

Impact & Achievements

  • Economic Empowerment: Provides income opportunities through home stays and local guided tours.

  • Youth Employment & Skill Development: Reduces migration by creating jobs in tourism.

  • Cultural Preservation: Promotes and preserves Bhutia culture and traditions.

  • Sustainable Tourism & Environmental Conservation: Encourages low-impact tourism and community-led natural resource management.

Challenges & Solutions

  • Structured Tourism Planning: Overcame the absence of structured initiatives through the formation of KTDC.

  • Home Stay Tourism Awareness: Addressed through training and workshops.

  • Marketing and Quality Infrastructure: Enhanced by collaborations and guidance on maintaining standards.

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Borong-Polok Handmade Paper Unit
Previous Project:
Village Tourism and Micro Enterprise Initiatives