Sikkim

Introduction

Sikkim is famous for its lush green vegetation, forest, scenic valleys and majestic mountains, and a range of rich and magnificent cultural heritage and peace loving people, which provide a safe haven for tourists. Today, travelers embarking on a journey of Sikkim discover a mystical wonderland of spectacular natural beauty. The panoramic perfection of the snow-capped Himalayas, the heady scent of flower-bedecked meadows, the vibrant culture and joyous festivals, the infinite variety of its flora and fauna makes it a holiday that is at once fascinating and challenging.

The crowning glory of Sikkim is Mt. Khangchendzonga, the third highest mountain in the world. With magnificent snow and ice scenery it is often regarded as the undisputed monarch among the peaks of the world. Lush and thick forests, flush with blooms of exotic flora, hilly expanses embellished by Sikkim's two main rivers, the Teesta and the Rangeet, the picturesque villages, hot springs and waterfalls have a compelling appeal.

The mountainsides are dotted with many caves which are considered holy by the people and revered as places of pilgrimage. The 135 feet tall statue of Guru Padmasambhava is situated at Samdruptse, South Sikkim. Sikkim has much to offer all her visitors. From popular home stays where one can get a first hand experience of rural Sikkim to endless possibilities for adventure sports. The State is naturally gifted having all sorts of destinations and circuits required for the tourists.

Tourist Attraction

• Trekking (External website that opens in a new window)
• River Rafting (External website that opens in a new window)
• Mountain Biking (External website that opens in a new window)
• Mountaineering (External website that opens in a new window)
• Khangchendzonga Waterfalls (External website that opens in a new window)

Hill Stations

Gangtok

Gangtok is situated in the North Eastern part of India in the lower Himalayas in the state of Sikkim. The city is situated at an altitude of about 1780 m above the sea level and enjoys a mild temperate climate all through the year. Integration of different cultures in the region makes this place a heaven on earth. The city has a large number of tourist attractions which draw people from all around the world to this breathtaking city of India. There are many places of tourist interest like Enchey Monastery, Permanent flower show in the white hall close to the white memorial hall, Do-Drul Chorten stupa, Handloom and Handicrafts centre, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Saramsa Garden, Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden, Tashi View Point, Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centre and the Ganesh Tok, etc.

More on Gangtok (External website that opens in a new window)

Pelling

Pelling is nestled at an altitude of 2,150 m (7,200 feet). The mighty Himalayas and the Kanchenjunga may be viewed at close quarters from Pelling. Pelling also forms the base from where trekkers and other peripatetic adventurers undertake the strenuous and arduous treks in West Sikkim. The land around Pelling is still a virgin territory and is bathed with alpine vegetation, with numerous waterfalls lining the hillside. In the months of winter, Pelling is sometimes covered with a blanket of snow.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Khangchendzonga (High Altitude) National Park

Khangchendzonga (High Altitude) National Park extends from the cold deserts of Lhonak Valley and the ridges of Lachen in the North District to the historical place at Yuksom. The Western Boundary of the park runs along the international boundary with Tibet. The park covers an area of 1,784 sq.kms and occupies as much as 25.14% of the land area of Sikkim. This area lies within reserved forests and except for a mall Tibetan Village community at Tsoka, there are no other village settlements inside the park.

The park is a reservoir of diverse habits - including some rare and endangered species like the Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Musk Deer, Bharal or the Blue Sheep, Himalayan Tahr, the Shapi of Sikkim, Leopard, Goral Serow, Barking Deer, Lesser Cats, Tibetan Wolf, Fox, Tibetan Fox, Himalayan Black Bear and Monkeys.

Himalayan Zoological Park

Himalayan Zoological Perk is spread over an area of 205 ha of mountainous land encompassing steep terrain suitable for Musk Deer and Blue Sheep; gentle slopes for Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer; a vision valley for Red Panda, Danphay-Munal (bird) and many other endangered Himalayan fauna.

List of animals found protected here is: Himalayan Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bear, Snow leopard, Clouded leopard, Leopard Cat, Himalayan Palm Civet, Large Indian Civet, Marbled Cat, Musk Deer, Barking Deer, Blue Sheep, Serow, Himalayan That, Himalayan Yellow-throated Marten, Himalayan Weasel, Tibetan Wolf, Red fox, Common Otter, Common Langur, Wild Boar, Porcupine, Spotted Deer, Yak, Goral, Pheasants ( 8 species), Reptiles (Pythons, Snakes, Lizards), Pangolin, and Aquatic habitat dwellers.

Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary

Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is located at a distance of 31 km east of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, on the way to Natu La. This 'La or pass is on the old 'silk trade route from Lhasa to Calcutta. Earlier just occupying 4 sq km, this sanctuary has now been extended.

The sanctuary is rich both in flora and fauna. Rare, endangered ground orchids and rhododendrons interspersed among tall junipers and taller silver firs are among the important plants present. Rhododendron nevium the State Tree of Sikkim and Cypripedium tibeticum the ground slipper orchid on the verge of extinction have been introduced here.

Ground flora includes different species of primulas, wild strawberries, irises, poppies and the rarely seen Panax pseudo-ginseng. Medicinal plants such as 'Kutki Picrorhiza scrophulariflora,jatamansi Nardostachys phylum emodi and even the wild onion are not hard to see here. The lower levels of the sanctuary are occupied by the soil binding bamboo Arundinaria sp.

Fambong Lho wildlife Sanctuary

Fambong Lho wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 25 km from Gangtok town, the capital of Sikkim. The famous Rumtek Monastery is located at the southeast boundary.

The main vegetation is Oak Quecus sp 'Katus Castanopsis sp., champ, Michelia sp. 'Kawlo Machilus sp., 'Kimbu Morus sp., thicket bamboo forests, ferns and lone fir Tsuga dumosat at Tinjurey. The sanctuary is also home to large number of wild orchids, moses and Lycopodium sp. Mammals found here are Serow, Goral, Barking Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda, Weasels, Martens, Leopard-cat, jungle Cat, Marbled Cat, Largen Indian Civet, Palm civer, Binturong.

Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Reviewed on: 20-02-2010