subject: Know Something About Gangtok Tourism: A Place Of Tourism And A Place Of Border In Himalayan Region [print this page] Gangtok is a capital of SikkimGangtok is a capital of Sikkim. It is situated at a higher altitude of nearly 6000feet at the Himalayan basin. The name Gangtok indicates that it is top of hill which suits it very much. It is one of the Buddhist pilgrimage center and attracts lot of Buddhism followers to this place. Since it has mild temperate climate throughout the year it is one of the tourist attraction. Weather attracts many people to spend their time in summer. Before independence it was trade route for Lhasa, Tibet and Kolkata.
It is a land which comes under high seismic activity and is prone to landslides. According to the Bureau of Indian standards it falls under the group IV of seismic activity and highly prone for earth quakes and landslides. There are two rivers flowing on the two sides of the city divides Gangtok into two parts. Kanchenjunga the worlds third highest peak is located towards west of the city of Gangtok. Though it is popular place for tourist the city has not developed to the modern level due to various reasons. The first reason is difficulty in transportation because of steep level, the second reason is the land is not firm and it is highly vulnerable to earthquakes, third is large forest which covers inadequate access to most of the parts.
Gangtok Tourism is the main source of income in Gangtok. Almost every family is involved in the hospitality business directly or indirectly. Either they own the hotels or they work in the hotels. Directly or indirectly everybody is dependent on the Gangtok Tourism. Gangtok can be reached only through roadways as the mountain region is not suitable for railways and airways. Though it has population of nearly one lakh people it has poor economical background and there are no big industries to support the economical growth to the Gangtok. But it is thriving on the cottage industry, mainly handmade paper and its handicraft items, Watch industry and country made alcohol industry. The people of Sikkim enjoy the status of non tax payee, as per the income tax Act in 1948.
Since it is located at the border of our country Army is playing an important role in the civil life of Gangtok people. Almost all rural roads in Sikkim and Gangtok are maintained by the Border roads Organization which is a division of an Army.
