Wildlife

Sikkim stretches from the low lands in the south with tropical climate to the mountainous regions in the north with summits that touch the skies. The altitude varies right from sea level to mountain peaks covering a wide spectrum of flora and fauna. Nowhere in the world in such a small area can one find flora and fauna of all varieties - Tropical to the Alpines. Sikkim's botanical and zoological richness is awe- inspiring, boasting of more than 4000 species of plants and 30% of all the birds found in the Indian sub-continent .

Truly a naturalist's delight. The hillsides and mountain slopes of Sikkim are strewn with bright patches of myriad colours. The lower mountain slopes are abundant with lush green bamboos and ferns. And the northern valleys are draped with wild cherry, oaks, chestnuts, pines and white magnolia. The higher altitudes are abloom with a carpet of rhododendrons with a splendour of their own. Sikkim's 600 varieties of orchids are a feast for the eye.

Flora
Luxuriant forests cover 36% of the land. The lowlands in the south between 800 feet to 5000 feet experience a tropical climate. Here you find lush green vegetation including figs, laurel, Sal trees and bamboos. Some of the areas have been cleared for farming. The temperate forest of oak, chestnut, maple, birch, alder, magnolia and silver fir dominates between 5000 ft and 13000 ft. Above 13000ft, is the alpine zone where juniper, cypresses and rhododendrons grow. The perpetual snowline lies at 16000 ft.

More than 4000 species of plant have been recorded in Sikkim. Over 600 species of orchids grow in Sikkim, Epiphytal and terrestrial types, in the tropical and temperate zones. 35 species of rhododendrons grow in temperate and alpine regions, their flowering from May to August covering the hillsides in a riot of colours.

Sikkim's local name "Denzong" translates as the Valley of Rice which is the chief crop of the State. Basically, Sikkim can be divided into three zones- the tropical, temperate and the alpine. The terraced farmlands have rice, maize and barley as the main crops. Other crops like ginger, potatoes and oranges are also grown. One of the chief cash crops of the state is Large Cardamom. The jungles in the South District teem with plantains, bamboo tree ferns, walnut, sal and oak, while the North abounds in Pine and Silver Fir. Terraced Rice Fields.

Orchids
Sikkim's orchids are world-famous State has more than 450 species of them, colours range from the richest to the species as varied as Cymbidiums, Cattlelyas, Dendrobiums, Hooheriana, F-ar Amoneum. The State flower is the Nobile from Dendrobium family.

Rhododendrons
There are about 36 rhododendrons in Sikkim found at 10,000 ft. Their variety is as diverse as the colours. From the giant Rhododendrqn (over 40ft) to the Rhododendron Nivale (a few inches off the ground), and from the pale white.

The delicate but hardy found at heights of 12,000 ft and above. The Himalayan rhubarb is a unique future Primulae area, standing upright like candles in the arid vast.

Fauna
Since the area of Sikkim ranges from the tropical to the alpine, the flora and fauna is unique in it's diversity. Nowhere else on earth does such a small area comprise of so many species and varieties. Even the seemingly Himalayan desert landscape in the North has a plethora of wild ducks and wild asses that roam the plains.

The natural wealth of Sikkim has been surveyed in detail by, among others, DrJ.D.Hooker in the mid 20th century and more recently by the celebrated orinthologist of India, Dr Salim Ali, who was also known as the "Birdman".

Sikkim has more than 500 species of avifauna ranging from the majestic Bearded Vulture with a wing-span of over 10 ft to the Olive Ground Warbler, just a few inches in length.

Other delightful species include the Emerald Dove, woodpeckers, cuckoos, kingfishers, and the fairy blue bird.Among the more commonly found animals in the alpine zone are yaks. They are domesticated and reared in North Sikkim mainly for their economic productiveness. Yak milk is used to make butter `churpi', the wool comes in handy as raw material for carpets and blankets. The musk deer, found in the upper temperate regions, is today a species in the endangered list. A common denizen of Sikkim is the muntjac, or the Barking Deer.

Among the more exotic mammals is the Red Panda which lives mostly on treetops. It is found at altitudes ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 feet. The snow leopard is an almost mythical animal. It has rarely been sighted and to date, only two field zoologists have succeeded in photographing this elusive animal in its habitat which can vary from 5,000 feet to as high as 18,000 feet. Blue sheep, flying squirrels, binturong, tahrs, marmots and musk deer are at home in this cool blanket of green.

Sikkim also has more than 600 species of Butterflies many of them rare and endangered. The forests resound to the bark of the Barking Deer which shares it's habitat with the adorable little Red Panda ( also the State animal. The Musk Deer, Leopard cats, and flying squirrels to name a few.

The higher regions have Blue Sheep known commonly as the Bharal, the, Shapi which is similar to the Himalayan Tahr, the Tibetan Wild Ass, locally known as the Kyang and the Himalyan Black Bear.

Most of this beautiful and virgin area comes under the Khangchendzonga National Park.

Sikkim also has large cardamom, orange and tea plantations. The rivers of Sikkim have trout, salmon and carp. Fishing is allowed with a permit.

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