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© 2016-17 ENVIS CENTRE SIKKIM Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim Any part of the publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise, provided that the same is duly cited. All efforts have been made to make the information shown as accurate as possible. PANDA Editorial Board ENVIS SIKKIM Newsletter Dr. Thomas Chandy, IFS Principal Secretary –cum- PCCF Volume No 9 Issue No. 4 [2016-17] Registration No. 61685/93 Mr. C. S. Rao, IFS 2016-17 PUBLicatioN ISSN 2320-3943 CCF (HQ/ T) ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES OF THE PANDA is a newsletter published by ENVIS Centre, Mr. B. B. Gurung, Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management STATE GOVERNMENT (1994-2016) Addl. Director(Planning/ Env. & SC) Department, Government of Sikkim. This newsletter is aimed at disseminating environment, Compilation & Design: Published by: forest and wildlife information among the public Mr. Rajen Pradhan, Forests, Environment & Wildlife at large and is also envisaged to serve as a medium Sr. Programme Officer (ENVIS) Management Department to communication among foresters and others Government of Sikkim engaged in nature conservation in the State. Free ENVIS team sincerely thanks the resource and voluntary contributions for publication in the persons and well wishers for their contribution newsletter may be sent to ENVIS Centre. in this issue. Electronic version available online ENVIS CENTRE SIKKIM in ENVIS Sikkim website Print @ CONCEPT, 0353-2640132 On Status of Environment & its Related Issues http://www.sikenvis.nic.in Forest Secretariat B - Block, Room No.B-101, Ground Floor Quarterly Newsletters of 2016-17 Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim, Deorali -737102, Gangtok Email us at: [email protected] Visit us at : www.sikenvis.nic.in Tel (O) : 03592-280381 Fax: 03592-281778 / 280381 ENVIS TEAM Coordinator Mr. B. B. Gurung, Addl. Director of Forests Apr-Jun Vol. 9, Issue 1 Jul-Sep Vol. 9, Issue 2 Oct-Dec Vol. 9, Issue 3 (Planning/ Environment & Soil Conservation) Theme: Environment Event Theme: Biodiversity and Theme:Cleanliness and Sr. Programme Officer Special Wildlife Special Hygiene Special Mr. Rajen Pradhan ENVIS Centre SikkimOn Status of Environment Information Officer publishes newsletter on quarterly basis with Mr. Laxuman Darnal the support from the Ministry of Environment, Forests& Climate Change, Government of India. IT Assistant The fourth quarter publication is a special annual Ms.Renu Gurung edition titled “PANDA”which is published with the Data Entry Operator extended support from the Forests, Environment Ms. Tulsha Gurung & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim. Please login www.sikenvis.nic.in to download the e-copy Cover photo: Charmaney at Dzongri, Khangchendzonga National Park, West Sikkim ENVIS PUBLICATION 2016-17 Photo courtesy: Nagendra Rizal, Range Officer (KNP) West EDITORIAL MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR The past one year has seen some encouraging accolades society in Sikkim has also worked hand in hand with for the green initiatives of the State. The most important the Government to make the State towns and cities of these was the award of the prestigious Sustainable clean and green. The Swachhta awards spur us to keep Development Leadership Award to the Honourable on acting responsibly to negate the adverse effects of Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling by The Energy tourism in our State. and Resources Institute New Delhi. The award is a In this edition of PANDA, the annual news magazine, testimony to all the environment-friendly actions taken we let the readers explore the natural, cultural, by the State Government under the visionary guidance scientific and economic opportunities this small State of its Chief Minister. It has been an iconic reward for offers. The year 2017 being the UN international year the exemplary green policies being followed by the of Sustainable Tourism for Development, this edition State during the last two decades. also intends to explore and promote the potential The inscription of the Khangchendzonga National Park ecotourism zones of the State. The exciting stories of by UNESCO as a mixed criteria World Heritage Site high altitude treks for education, scientific explorations is a monumental achievement by the State in the field and recreation, I hope will attract awareness amongst of conservation. While the new-found status of the the readers and fellow enthusiasts. National Park confers on it a prominence that it deserves, Hope you will find this edition interesting and enjoy it also poses fresh challenges to its maintenance as one reading it! of India’s most pristine high altitude ecologically rich wildlife habitats. All stakeholders should come forward to contribute positive action and even make small sacrifices if need be to preserve this status of KNP. Dr. Thomas Chandy, IFS Other awards to the state for cleanliness under the Principal Secretary -cum- PCCF Swachhta Abhiyan are also an indication of the pro- Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Department environment activities of the State Government. Civil Government of Sikkim Send your comments and suggestions to [email protected] [email protected] Yartsa Gunbu Photo by: B. M. Limboo, Field Staff, KNP, West Sikkim PANDA | VOL. 9 | ISSUE 4 | 2016-17 1 nside PANDA Vol. 9 Issue 4 2016-17 ISSN 2320-3943 R e g i s t r a ti o n N o . 6 1 6 8 5 / 9 3 W H A T ’ S M O R E ….. page-wise • World Heritage Site – Khangchendzonga National 4 Park • Yartsa Gunbu Commercialization in Sikkim – Issues 8 and Challenges World Heritage Site – Khangchendzonga National Park • Phoenix rupicola T. Anders in Sikkim – A Race 14 India’s first mixed Against Time criteria world heritage site • A Trek to Panch Pokhari (Five Lakes) in South 16 4 Sikkim Yartsa Gunbu Commercialization in Sikkim • Occurrence Record of Rhododendron 21 Issues and Challenges hypenanthum (Ericaceae) in Eastern Alpines of Sikkim, India 8 A Trek to Panch Pokhari • Story of Gum Tree Eucalyptus Sp. (Myrtaceae) in 22 (Five Lakes) in South Sikkim Sikkim • Report on Morphological Change seen in Lady 25 16 Amherst’s Pheasant Female at Himalayan The Lhonak Lake Zoological Park, Bulbuley Expedition 2016 • Rescue and Rehabilitation of Hodgson’s Flying 27 33 Squirrel in Chongey, East Sikkim The Green Story: Sonam Choda Lepcha Memorial • Sikkim’s only Living Fossil Tree: A Potential 30 Government Secondary School, Heritage Tree Cycas pectinata Lingdong, North Sikkim 40 • The Lhonak Lake Expedition 2016 33 Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary Rice Biological Diversity in West Sikkim, India • Cleanliness drive in Shingba Rhododendron 38 Sanctuary 44 Nature Trek to • Green Schools Programme 2016-17: National 39 Phoktay Dara, Awards to Sikkim Schools for Green Actions West Sikkim 52 • The Green Story: Sonam Choda Lepcha Memorial 40 Government Secondary School, Lingdong, North Visit our Website for the electronic [PDF] copy: Sikkim www.sikenvis.nic.in 2 PANDA | VOL. 9 | ISSUE 4 | 2016-17 An ENVIS SIKKIM Publication On Status of Environment & Related Issues Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim W H A T ’ S M O R E ….. page-wise • Stakeholder’s Consultation Workshop held for the 43 preparation of State of Environment Report Sikkim 2016 • Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary: Rich Biological 44 Diversity in West Sikkim, India • Nature Trek to Phoktay Dara, West Sikkim 52 • Conclave on Innovation and Progress of 54 Ecotourism in Sikkim • The Customary Annual Sikkim Flower Show 54 Competition 2017 • Ecotourism Zones in Sikkim 55 Snow Partridge (Lerwa lerwa) at Dzongri, KNP, West Sikkim Photo by Shri Dal Bahadur Limboo, Chowkidar PANDA | VOL. 9 | ISSUE 4 | 2016-17 3 World Heritage Site - Khangchendzonga National Park hangchendzonga National Park (KNP) is situated in North and West Districts of Natural Values of KNP Sikkim and includes the world’s third highest K KNP has an area of 178,400 hectares and covers peak, Mt. Khangchendzonga. KNP has an extremely impressive altitudinal range: a vertical sweep of 7,366 approximately 25% of the entire State. KNP was meters (m) across an elevation range of 1,220 m to declared in 1977 and its area was more than doubled 8,586 m above sea level (asl) within a relatively small in 1997 by the State Government to protect an area of area. The Himalayas are narrowest here resulting in spectacular peaks, glaciers and rugged alpine terrain extremely steep terrain which magnifies the distinction in the Indian part of the Eastern Himalayas. The 1997 between the various eco-zones which characterise the extension broadened the range of ecosystems covered area. As a consequence, KNP contains a remarkable and increased the impressive altitudinal gradient. range of Eastern Himalaya landscapes and wildlife India’s highest peak, Khangchendzonga, at 8,586 m from sub-tropical to alpine to Trans- Himalayan (Cold asl, literally stands out within the protected area which Desert) within a small geographical area. Culturally, boasts of 20 peaks above 6,000 m. the visually prominent the National Park is significant as it is considered Khangchendzonga Massif is actually comprised of to be the core of the sacred hidden land or “beyul” five major peaks, which culturally stand for the five which was blessed by Guru Padmasambhava. Mount treasures salt, gold, turquoise, arms and (combined) Khangchendzonga itself is revered as it is regarded as medicine and seeds. The massif literally named the the guarding deity of all Sikkimese people. “Abode of the Gods”, has exceptional symbolical, cultural, religious and spiritual significance for many On account of these natural and cultural features, ethnic peoples and religious beliefs across and beyond Khangchendzonga National Park was declared as a the Himalayas. World Heritage Site in July 2016 based on both natural and cultural criteria (or mixed criteria), India’s first Numerous lakes and glaciers, including the 26 km long mixed criteria World Heritage Site.
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