Sikkim-The Eastern Paradise

Sikkim, the tiny Himalayan state situated between the latitude 270 N to 280 N and longitude 870 E to 880 E has a total geographical area of 7096 km2. It became the  22nd state of India on April 26,1975. The state bounds between the Kingdom of Bhutan in the east, Nepal in the west, Chinese Tibet in north & east and West Bengal in south. The highest elevation 8583 meters is the top of the mountain goddess KHANGCHENDZONGA itself. 

 

Nearly five and half lakhs people live here. There are 440 villages, eight towns and four districts in Sikkim. The state has three major ethnic groups, namely Lepchas ,Bhutias and Nepalis.

 

The state is bestowed with abundant natural resources. The state abounds in a number of high altitude perennial lakes, a large number of perennial and seasonal streams and mountain springs. Teesta and Rangeet are the major rivers of Sikkim which originate from the glaciers situated in the northern part of Sikkim. A large number of small tributaries for these rivers are also originating from the glaciers in all the four districts. A large area of North and West Sikkim is occupied by snow covered mountains throughout the year. The rivers Rangeet and Teesta assume great significance due to their potential for hydroelectric power generation. 

 

Sikkim Himalayas show tremendous biological diversity. More than 4000 species of flowering plants are found in the state which is nearly one third of the total species of the flowering plants found in the country. The major natural resources in the state are mentioned as below:

Flowering plants                         over 4000 species

Orchids                                        over 550 species

Rhododendrons                           36 species

Bamboos                                      21 species

Ferns and Ferns allies                 300 species

Tree ferns                                    8 species

Oaks                                             11 species

Primulas                                       30-40 species

Mammals                                     over 150 species

Birds                                             more than 500 species

Fish                                              48 species

 

Due to the proximity to the Bay of Bengal, the state experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon.July is the wettest month.The rainfall and temperature vary considerably from place to place and also with altitude.The number of rainy days is quite high and generally more than 100 in a year in many areas.While Gangtok receives rainfall between 4000mm and 5000mm,Thangu in North Sikkim receives less than 100mm.The rainfall decreases with the altitude.Temperature in lower altitudes varies between 4-50C to 18.50C whereas in high altitudes it varies between 1.50C to 9.50C.