Spanning three days, the mountain biking journey will take riders along the famed Silk Route, offering both thrilling challenges and breathtaking views. The adventure will include camping in Gnathang Valley on the first night, followed by an overnight stay in Rorathang on the second day, before concluding at MG Marg in Gangtok on Sunday. The entire route will cover nearly 212 kilometers.
The event highlights Sikkim’s growing appeal as a destination for adventure tourism, while also promoting eco-friendly travel to experience the region’s unique cultural and natural heritage. The expedition is being organised through a partnership between the Sikkim government’s Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-Tourism (ICHAE), and the Cycling Association of Sikkim.
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Meanwhile, An expedition team from the Sikkim government’s Science & Technology Department on Wednesday reached Muguthang in North Sikkim’s Lhonak valley to assess the impact of glacial floods and its mitigation through various measures, officials said.
The team investigated whether Lhonak lake’s behaviour was aligned with typical patterns of glacial floods which carry debris, sediment and boulders with massive destructive potential, officials said.
The study team observed that flood water from Lhonak lake slowed down as it passed through the wide areas of the valley between Goma and Dolma Sampa sections. This natural dissipation of force caused debris deposition, reducing the flood’s destructive impact downstream, the officials said.
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It was only below Dolma Sampa that the flood picked up momentum and debris causing widespread devastation downstream. The team also analysed the sub-surface geology at Dolma Sampa and measured discharge of the Lhonak River. These insights will be crucial in evaluating feasibility of a retention structure at Dolma Sampa, which could regulate floodwaters and protect downstream infrastructure.
The expedition team comprised experts in geology, ecology, engineering, hydrology, and remote sensing from the Departments of Science & Technology, of Mines & Geology and the National Disaster Management Authority.
(With inputs from PTI)
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)