ABSTRACT
Forests are integral to the lives and livelihoods of people. Traditionally, Sikkim views all conservation and management of natural resources in the context of sustainable livelihoods and community participation. Communities worship forests and regard them as bearers of local culture. About 60 per cent of Sikkim's land area is above 3,000 m which falls under protected areas and reserve forests with sub-alpine and alpine vegetation. This region is called Himal and is home to a large number of threatened floral and faunal species like snow leopard, musk deer, Tibetan gazelle and a host of medicinal plants. Bamboo is an immensely valuable versatile forest resource in Sikkim as in many parts of India, more especially in the north-east. Cherry Village Resort in Darap, West Sikkim, has emerged as one of the many success stories that have come to define the enterprising minds of the Darap Eco-Tourism Development Committee (DETDC).
