Sikkim Democratic Front leader and former minister Tshering Wangdi Lepcha has urged chief minister P.S. Tamang (Golay) not to go ahead with the proposal to set up a National Yoga and Meditation Institution at Gurudongmar in Mangan district as the place is sacred for all Sikkimese.

Lepcha, who is the former MLA of Lachen-Mangan under which the Gurudongmar Lake falls, said it was rather astounding for Golay to put forth such a proposal, knowing what the place means to the Sikkimeses and the Buddhists in particular.

“For the sake of our bygone generations who toiled so hard to keep it sacred and for posterity, please don’t go ahead with this proposal as it hurts our sentiments to the core,” he implored.

Participating in an event called “Yoga Mahotsav” in New Delhi last week, the chief minister had proposed the establishment of the National Yoga and Meditation Institute near Gurudongmar Lake situated at a height of nearly 18,000ft. “It will be a global institution that would impart knowledge about the importance of yoga and conservation of nature, mountain resources, and India’s contribution to climate discourses and mitigation,” he had said.

Lepcha, however, said the proposal was totally unacceptable to the people of north Sikkim, especially the Buddhists. “The area is sacred to us and tampering with it hits straight into our hearts, or is Mr Golay trying to do away with Sikkim’s rich culture and tradition which was secured by our forefathers?” he asked.

The lake is held sacred by Sikhs also. They believe the founder of their faith, Guru Nanak, had set foot on the highland and blessed the lake.

The lake is also a popular tourist destination with people in their thousands visiting the place every year.