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Sikkim, the tiny mountain state of
India, insinuates itself into the Eastern Himalayas between
Nepal in the West, Tibet (People’s Republic of China) in the
North and East, Bhutan in the South-East and West Bengal in the
South.
Although only 112 km length from north to south and 64 km width
from east to west, the elevation ranges from 244 meters to over
8540 meters above sea level. Sikkim has an area of 70962km. On
the world map it is just a speck with approximate latitude of 27
North and longitude of 88 East.
 Sikkim encompasses the upper valley of the Teesta river, a
tributary of the Brahmaputra. The watershed forms the border
with Tibet and Nepal. The Rangit and Rangpo rivers form the
border with West Bengal. Teesta and Rangit forms the main
channel of drainage and their chief tributaries are generally
not less than 5000 ft in depth, which is the main reason for all
the monasteries and principal villages to be situated at an
elevation ranging from 4000 to 6000 fts. The Singalila Range
separates Sikkim from Nepal to the West and the Dongkya Range
forms the border in the North and Northeast. In the East the
Chumbi valley lies between Sikkim and Bhutan. On its Western
side is the massive 31 km long Zemu glacier.
The most dominant feature of Sikkim is Mount Khangchendzonga –
the Guardian deity of Sikkim – being the third highest mountain
in the world, soaring to the height of 28,168 feet.
Khangchendzonga means the ‘Five Treasures of the Great Snows’.
According to Sikkimese belief it is the repository of minerals,
grain, salt, weapons and Holy Scriptures. Khangchendzonga is
considered to be the protective deity- the Mother Goddess. It’s
blasphemous for climbers even to set foot on the summit. Some of
the other important and venerable peaks are Tendong (8675 ft)
Siniolchu, Mainam (10637 ft), Simvo, Goechala (16500 ft),
Narsing, Donkiari (20250 ft), Kabru, Pandim (22020 ft), Pyramid
Peak and Nepal Peak. Most of the peaks of Sikkim have remained
unexplored as the Sikkimese consider them sacred and feel that
they will lose their sanctity if climbed. Besides these peaks,
there are various passes namely, Bhutanla (13000 ft), Jelepla
(14390 ft) and Nathula (14400 ft) in the east, Chiwabhangjyang
(10300 ft) and Kangla in the West, Kongrala in the north and
Donkiala (18100 ft)
Prayer flags fly at lakes, springs, glaciers and waterfalls.
They are deemed to be sacred. Notable lakes are Tsomgo,
Khechopalri, Menmecho, Samiti, Lampokhari and green lake. Sikkim
has many hot springs known for their medicinal value – important
ones are located at Reshi, Ralang and Yumthang. Some glaciers in
Sikkim are Zemu, Rathong and Lonak.
The theocratic view of the Sikkimese universe revolves around
the landscape.
Sikkimese terrain range from tropical rain forest to alpine
tundra. Along the high altitude routes, temperatures can dip
below freezing at night – even during summer – while daytime can
bring prolonged showers. Sikkim is basically divided into three
zones, namely-Tropical (5000 ft above sea level), temperate
(5000 to 1300 ft) and alpine, the perpetual snowline at 16000
ft. Flat land is a rarity.
Sikkim is one of the wettest regions of the Himalayas. It has
the same seasonal rainfall pattern, dominated by the monsoon, as
the rest of the Eastern Himalayas. Total rainfall is more than
3000 mm. Avoid monsoon season, late June through early August.
Travellers will enjoy better weather and more consistent views
in the fall
Most of Sikkim does not experience high intensity winds.
However, at many hilltops and passes, winds having high speeds
blow and sometimes during winters, they blow up ice particles
causing blizzards.
 Altitudes have influenced vegetations; aspect and rainfall have
influenced vegetation. In the lowest parts there is Wet sal
(Shorea Robusta) forest with 660 species of orchids, and the
well know ones are Cymbidium Vanda, Hookeriana, Cattaleya,
Nobile, Farmeri and Dendrobium Amoenum. The Nobile is prized all
over the world. Bamboos of 20 species are also found here. This
gives way to tropical evergreen mountain and rain forests where
240 species of ferns . 35 species of Rhododendrons (the most
popular ones are Rhododendron Grande, 40 feet tall, and
Rhododendron Nivale, few inches above the ground), gladioli,
epiphytes, bamboo, cherry, oak, alurel, birch, maple, beech,
walnut, chestnut, giant magnolia, conifers and pines up to the
tree line at 3600 – 4200 m are found. The alpine forests,
3900-5000 m are characterized by such beautiful flowering plants
as primulas, gentians, blue poppies and wild strawberry,
raspberry and rhubarb. Sikkim has a very dense forest with 4000
species of plants, being a botanist’s delight and a naturalist’s
paradise.
The animal and bird life is correspondingly rich with 81 species
of mammals, 6000 species of birds and 631 species of
butterflies. Sikkim has a vast range of fauna, the important
ones being Snow leopards, wild asses and Yaks in the North,
Himalayan Black bears, Blue sheep, Red pandas, Silver foxes,
Mongoose, Leopards, Musk, Barking deer, common langur, Flying
squirrel, Civet and marbled cats in the tropical forests. A rare
animal, the ‘Shapi’ inhabits the alpine region. The bird life is
also rich with Pheasants, Teals, Partridges, Cuckoos, babblers,
bearded vulture, Olive ground Wabler, emerald dove, fairly blue
bird, Kingfisher, ashy wood pecker, Sultan tit, and thrushes
among many others. The rivers have salmon, trout, carp and many
others 45 varieties of fishes. There are 40 species of reptiles
in Sikkim, which include various types of lizard and snakes like
the grass snake, the krait and the cobra
Amidst the grandeur of the mountain peaks, lush valleys, fast –
flowing rivers, terraced hills, Sikkim offers her visitors a
rare and singular experience. Sikkimese are fond of their
‘Chhang’ – a preparation from fermented millet. The drink is
served in bamboo container with a hollow bamboo pipe. It is the
unofficial national drink
Sikkim – the last Shangri-La – and the land of endless passion
are wrapped in mists and clouds. Within a matter of hours one
can move from the sub-tropical heat of the lower valley to the
cold of the rugged mountain slopes that reach up to the areas of
perpetual snow. |
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