Sikkim Tourism Prepares for High-Altitude Spring Season Surge

With the weather clearing up, the Sikkim Tourism Department today issued a fresh set of guidelines for the “Spring Peak Season,” expecting a record-breaking influx of tourists. Following the expansion of rail connectivity surveys and the opening of new homestays in West Sikkim, the state is anticipating over 5 lakh visitors in the next two months.

To prevent over-tourism and environmental degradation, the government has introduced a “Green Permit” for high-altitude zones like Tsomgo Lake and Gurudongmar Lake. Visitors are now required to register via a centralized app, which limits the number of vehicles allowed in these zones daily. Additionally, the state has launched the “Zero Plastic Himalayan Initiative,” imposing heavy fines on tourists found carrying single-use plastics in trekking corridors. Local hospitality stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that while the restrictions might limit numbers slightly, the focus on “high-value, low-impact” tourism will ensure the sustainability of Sikkim’s natural beauty for future generations.