The proposed reopening of tourism in Sikkim from October 10 increasingly appears to being a non-starter with more and more tourist hotspots unilaterally deciding against allowing visitors to their areas in view of the raging Covid-19 pandemic.

Following the recent decision of the Lachung dzomsa in North Sikkim to extend the bar on the entry of tourists till November 31, the panchayats of Yuksum-Dubdi and Ribdi-Bhareng in West Sikkim and Assam-Lingzey in East Sikkim, too, followed suit and extended the ban on visitors for various lengths of time.

“All tourism stakeholders of Yuksom-Dubdi have unanimously decided against allowing the entry of tourists till October 30 because of the pandemic. We are aware that the government has come out with a notification to reopen tourism from October 10, but all stakeholders of Yuksom-Dubdi were of the view since we managed to survive

without any tourism for six months, we should be able to bear the loss for some more days to ensure the safety of our people,” said Buddhhang Subba, a member of Yuksom-Dubdi Panchayat.

Yuksom is the first capital of Sikkim established in 1642. It has numerous places of tourist interest, including the Dubdi monastery, Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjungha Falls and Norbugang coronation throne.

It is also the base camp for trekking expeditions to the Kanchenjungha mountain range.

The Ribdi-Bhareng and Assam-Lingzey have also cited the fear of the pandemic to extend the bar. While Ribdi-Bhareng has banned the entry of tourists till November 30, Assam-Linzey has extended the bar till December 31.

“We request our people to cooperate with us as it has been done to protect our people from the spreading disease,” said a notice issued by the Ribdi-Bhareng panchayat.

Some of the tourist hotspots in Ribdi-Bhareng are the scenic villages of Hilley and Pattharey and Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, which is located at an altitude of about 10,000ft and is sandwiched between the Singalila National Park in the south and Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in the north.Assam-Lingzey, on the other hand, is a picturesque village located at an altitude of a little over 4,500ft and tourists in their thousands throng the place which is dotted with a number of homestays.

Sources in the government said they would try and convince those opposing the reopening of tourism from October 10, failing which, the possibility of postponing the date could be thought of.

“As things stand today, we are gearing up for the reopening on October 10. There is little possibility of a rethink on reopening per se, but yes the reopening date could be postponed,” said a source.