A major eco‑tourism project at Silnon, near Tashiding in Gyalshing district, has been approved with a sanctioned outlay of Rs 4,938 lakh (approximately Rs 49.38 crore), marking a new push to link development with sustainability and cultural preservation in Sikkim. The scheme, officials say, aims to position Silnon within a wider eco‑tourism circuit while protecting the area’s spiritual and environmental character.
The site, about 15 km from Yuksom — Sikkim’s historic first capital — is anchored by a monastery founded in 1716 and long regarded as a place of religious importance. Project planners intend to retain the locale’s cultural identity even as they introduce visitor facilities and interpretive spaces to attract responsible tourism.
At the heart of the project will be a 48‑foot copper‑cast statue of Green Tara Devi, accompanied by a symbolic layout representing the 21 forms of Tara, with a central figure flanked by ten statues on each side. The central installation is intended to serve both devotional and visitor‑attraction functions.
Supporting infrastructure includes a multi‑purpose RCC (reinforced cement concrete) building housing prayer facilities, classrooms, a library and exhibition space, plus a second block providing accommodation and basic amenities. The accommodation block will cover roughly 1,347 square metres.
Officials say work will proceed in phases with an emphasis on eco‑sensitive planning: land shaping, landscaping, pedestrian pathways and restoration of existing structures using traditional elements such as carving and laripa painting, alongside modern utilities including electrification and illumination. Work orders were issued on March 24, 2026, and preliminary activity has already begun.
There are indications the foundation‑laying ceremony may be conducted virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though formal confirmation is awaited. Authorities and stakeholders highlight that while the project could boost tourism in the Yuksom–Tashiding corridor and create local economic opportunities, its long‑term success will hinge on carefully balancing development with ecological and cultural safeguards.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/silnon-project-signals-new-phase-in-sikkims-eco-tourism-push
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