Over the past 30 months, the Dentam Tourism Development Society has undertaken door-to-door awareness campaigns, workshops, tourism activities, and community engagement programs to educate residents about the economic, cultural, and environmental benefits of community-based tourism, particularly homestay and rural tourism.

The initiatives have focused on:

• Promoting sustainable and eco-friendly tourism practices

• Preserving local culture, traditions, and biodiversity

• Encouraging community participation in tourism development

• Creating opportunities for local income and employment

• Empowering youth and women through tourism-related opportunities

• Promoting adventure, rural, and experiential tourism

• Developing Maneybong-Dentam as an emerging tourism destination

Adventure Tourism & Outdoor Activities

Recognizing the natural landscape and adventure tourism potential of the region, the society has actively promoted outdoor and adventure-based tourism activities as part of its broader tourism development initiatives.

Chewabhanjyang 10K Trail Run

The society has successfully promoted and organized the Chewabhanjyang 10K Trail Run, with two editions conducted in 2024 and 2025.

The trail run aims to:

• Promote adventure and trail-running tourism

• Showcase the natural beauty and landscapes of the region

• Encourage healthy and active lifestyles

• Attract runners, outdoor enthusiasts, and visitors

• Create opportunities for local communities through tourism and events

• Position Chewabhanjyang as an emerging adventure tourism destination

The event has become an important platform for bringing together local communities, athletes, adventure enthusiasts, and visitors while promoting the tourism potential of the area.

Other Adventure Tourism Opportunities

The society is also encouraging and promoting the development of adventure tourism activities such as:

• Paragliding

• Mountain biking

• Trail running

• Hiking and trekking

• Nature and outdoor exploration

• Other locally suitable adventure and experiential tourism activities

These activities provide new opportunities to diversify the local tourism economy and encourage visitors to explore the natural landscapes of Maneybong-Dentam.

Rural Tourism Meet 2025

The Dentam Tourism Development Society also conducted and hosted the Rural Tourism Meet 2025, providing a platform to bring together stakeholders, tourism professionals, local communities, and other participants to discuss and promote the potential of rural and community-based tourism.

The event highlighted the importance of:

• Community participation in tourism

• Rural tourism development

• Homestay-based tourism

• Local culture and traditional practices

• Sustainable tourism

• Adventure and experiential tourism

• Creating new livelihood opportunities for local communities

The Rural Tourism Meet further strengthened the society’s efforts to position Maneybong-Dentam as a destination where visitors can experience authentic rural life, nature, culture, hospitality, and adventure.

Outcomes & Achievements

As a result of these sustained grassroots efforts, more than 30 homestays have been established across the Maneybong-Dentam Constituency within just 18 months.

These community-owned homestays are:

• Owned and operated by local families

• Providing authentic Sikkimese hospitality and experiences

• Creating employment and livelihood opportunities for youth and women

• Supporting local products, food, and services

• Enhancing the overall tourism experience in West Sikkim

Alongside homestay development, the society has expanded its focus toward adventure tourism, rural tourism, community events, and destination promotion, creating a more diverse and sustainable tourism ecosystem.

Community Impact

Economic Empowerment

Local families are gaining new and sustainable sources of income through homestay tourism and related community-based tourism activities. Adventure events and tourism programs also create opportunities for local guides, transport providers, food vendors, event workers, and other service providers.

Cultural Revival

Traditional food, attire, customs, and local lifestyles are being preserved and shared with visitors, helping strengthen cultural identity and community pride.

Environmental Awareness

Greater community participation in tourism has encouraged awareness about biodiversity conservation, responsible use of natural resources, cleanliness, and environmental protection.

Youth & Women Empowerment

Tourism and adventure activities are creating new opportunities for young people and women to participate in hospitality, events, guiding, local entrepreneurship, and other tourism-related services.

A Growing Destination for Rural & Adventure Tourism

The progress achieved through these grassroots initiatives demonstrates the potential of community-led tourism to create meaningful economic, cultural, social, and environmental benefits.

From homestays and rural experiences to trail running, paragliding, mountain biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities, the Maneybong-Dentam Constituency is developing a diverse tourism identity rooted in its communities, landscapes, culture, and natural heritage.

Through sustained awareness, local participation, tourism events, and the support of Hon’ble MLA Shri Sudesh Kumar Subba, the Dentam Tourism Development Society is helping lay a strong foundation for sustainable tourism development in West Sikkim.

“When local communities become active participants in tourism, they become the strongest guardians of their culture, environment, and future.”

The Dentam Tourism Development Society aims to continue strengthening this community-led approach and contribute to making Maneybong-Dentam a model destination for responsible, inclusive, rural, and adventure tourism in Sikkim.