A 14-member media team comprising of officials from DIPR, and journalists from Nagaland Private Media Houses who had undertaken a week-long media exposure visit to Sikkim from 20th May 2022, reached Dimapur on 27th May. The trip has enriched the media team about Sikkim's tourism sector and also their organic farming system. During the exposure visit, the team visited Gangtok and North Sikkim and witnessed their system of working and experienced their culture, and visited different tourist destinations. The team visited Zero Point which lies in the northern region of Sikkim which is 15 km from Lachung Valley, standing at an altitude of 15,300 feet above sea level. At Gangtok, the team visited Nathu La, a mountain pass in the Himalayan peaks that co-joins Sikkim and China. Situated on the Indo-Tibetan border 14450 ft. above sea level, Nathu La is one of the three open trading border posts between India and China and is famous for its picturesque beauty and beautiful environment. At Lachen, the team visited Kalapathar and enjoyed the splendid snow-clad mountains standing at more than 18000 feet above sea level Sikkim is the first state in the world that is 100% organic as all its farmlands are certified organic and the state's total ban on the sale and use of chemical pesticides has benefitted more than 66,000 farming families in Sikkim. Sikkim's geographical area has tremendous biodiversity endowed with rich floral and faunal diversity including flowering plants, Orchids, Rhododendrons, Conifers, Bamboos, Ferns, Tree Ferns, and Medicinal Plants in the high altitude. Sikkim is a Mountainous state with high Peaks, Glaciers, high altitude lakes/wetlands, rivers, and streams. Located in the arms of the Himalayas, the beauty of the mountain ranges and lush greenery of the state makes Sikkim the most ideal place for tourist to wander and explore tourist destinations. The team members, led by Deputy Director IPR Siewatho, expressed gratitude and appreciation to the IPR Department, Government of Nagaland for the opportunity to learn more about the unmatched beauty of Sikkim which has a similar topography to Nagaland state.

(Maong & Siizo IA)