Wildlife Sanctuaries in Sikkim

Sikkim is a treasure house for nature lovers, a paradise for trekkers. Its bio diverse wildlife not only gives you  a chance to see the flora and fauna of different weather conditions, but also brings you closer to the nature while giving you ample opportunity to explore it in close quarters through trekking.

The major sanctuaries apart from KanchendzongaNational Park , preserving the nature of the hill state of Sikkim are as below:

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary:

Spread over an area of 43 sq kms, located on the periphery of the picturesque valley of Yumthang Chu, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is one of the best places to see various species of Rhododendrons. Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is spread in Northern Sikkim, with its southern boundary being demarcated by Yakchey La while in the North is it is surrounded by the picturesque Yumthang Valley. In the east, it is surrounded by the high rugged Chuba-Sagochen mountain ranges and in the west part of Chomzomei Tso extending up to Lava pass defines its boundaries. The picturesque Yumthang Chu (river) flows through the wide valley offering a breathtaking landscape. The sanctuaries altitude varies from 3048m and 4575m

Lachung is the last frontier offering accommodation to the visitors before reaching Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, and Lachung is used as the base for exploring this sanctuary. Shingba is famous for the profusion of the Rhododendron flowers, so much so that about 40 species of the flower is found here. Rhododendron nevium the State Tree occurs only in this sanctuary. Apart from Rhododendrons, the sanctuary also boasts of primulas, potentillas, gentians, saxifrages, poppies, aconites larch, juniper, maple along with rambling lichens. You can also see silver fir and well-groomed thick mat of moss shielding the soil.

Shingba Sanctuary is also famous for a large faunal variation, specially for the presence of The beautiful and highly endangered Spotted Linsang or Tiger-Civet . Other animals found here include The Serow, Goral, Blood Pheasant, Common Hill Partridge etc. Brown Trout, an exotic fish species, was introduced in Yumthang Chu in 1978 and have been flourishing since then.

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary can be reached from Lachung. The best time to visit is from April to May and from September to November, when the temperature and weather is most favorable. However the best time to visit is April May, as it is the time, when the Rhododendrons are in full bloom converting the valley of Yumthang into valley of flowers.

Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary

Spread over an area of 104 sq kms of Soreng and Gyalshing District in west Sikkim, Barsey or Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary was established in 1988. It is an important corridor between the Kanchendzonga National Park in north and Singhalia National Park in West Bengal to the east. It is a mix mountain kind of flora with its altitude ranging from a bit above 2200 mts to above 4000 mts. The site contains five forest types: subtropical moist deciduous forest (2,200–2,400 m), wet temperate forest (2,400–2,700 m), moist temperate forest (2,700–3,250 m), sub-alpine forest (3,250–4000 m), and alpine meadows (>4,000 m).

Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary can be reached from Geyzing via Hilley, Dentam or Soreng. It is a beautiful 04 kms trek from Hilley. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is famous for presence of wide variety of Rhododendrons. Almost 600 types of Rhododendron are found here out of the total 1000 types found in Sikkim. Some of the species of Rhododendron that can be easily seen in the sanctuary are arboreum, cinnabarinum, falconeri, barbatum, campanulatum hodgsoni, Acer caudatum, Betula utilis, Pieris ovalifolia, Prunus rufa, Pyrus foliolosa and P. macrophylla

Apart from the above type of Rhododendrons, the other flora found here are numerous species of Primula, Magnolia, oaks and pine. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is also famous for its fauna including the Red Panda and Black Bear. Other fauna species found here includes Leopard, Leopard Cat, Marbled Cat, Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten, Himalayan Palm Civet, Cannidae Wild dog, Indian Fox, Jackal, Himalayan Black Bear, Wild Boar, Red Panda, Barking Deer, Serow, Assamese Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan Langur, Crimson Horned Pheasant, Monal Pheasant and Kaleej Pheasant, Crestless Porcupine, Rufous Tailed Hare, Chinese Pangolin, Flying Squirrel, Giant Squirrel and Himalayan Mouse Hare.

 The best time to visit is from April to May and from September to November, when the temperature and weather is most favorable. However the best time to visit is April May, as it is the time, when the Rhododendrons are in full bloom. Barsey can be reached from Sillliguri by first traveling to Jorethang ( about 03 hrs drive ) followed by drive to Hilley ( about 2.5 hrs Drive). From Hilley you need to trek to reach Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary.

Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary

Spread over an area of 31 sq kms, about 36 kms from the Capital of state of Sikkim, Gangtok, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary was established in 1977. With the average altitude varying between between 3292m to 4116m, it lies along the Nathula Road, in the vicinity of famous Changu Lake (Tsomgo Lake). The area extends from “15 mile Police Check Post along the ridges bordering Rongchu and Tsomgo Lake upto Nathula Pass.

This sanctuary can be visited for its blooming alpine flowers including Rhododendrons, Poppies, Primus, ground Orchids, Etc. Other important plants and trees found here includes Tall Junipers, Silver Fir, gentians, Wild strawberries, rare panax, irises etc. You can also discover medicinal plants like Nilo Bikh, Kutki, Jatamasi etc here. Rhododendron Nevium (the state tree of Sikkim) and Cypripedium Tibeticum ( the ground slipper Orchid) , both on the verge of extinctions, have been introduced here.

The sanctuary has and extended season for flowers blooming, with the different flowers blooming at different seasons/time period, and hence extending the beauty of the sanctuary for a longer periods. The best time to visit the Sanctuary is from April to August and in the month of October to November. Starting May, Primulas are the first to pop through the snow, which are followed by Rhododendrons, which are in their full bloom in June and July. Other species of flowers come to bloom subsequently with the last species to bloom being Polygonum, which dries up in October, when the winter sets in. Snow Fall is experienced in December covering the entire area with snow, untill about April.

The Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is also rich in its fauna with the various type of high altitude animals seen here including Himalayan Black Bear, Musk Deer, Blood Pheasant, Leopard, Red Panda, Common Langur, Himalayan Marmot, Yellow Throated Martens Weasel, Lesser Cats and Satyr Tragopan.

The sanctuary is also rich in its bird population with some of the commonly seen bird here are Monal Pheasant, Laughing Thrushes, Satyr, Sow Partridges, Redbilled Choughs, Redstarts, Rose Finches, Tragopan, Kestrel, Firetailed Sunbirds, Forktails etc.

The sanctuary is easily accessible by road from state Capital Gangtok through one and hour ride. Both Buses and taxis are available to travel to Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary.

Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary

Located at a distance of 24 kms from the state capital of Sikkim, Gangtok, just above Singtam Dickchu Road, Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 51.76 square kilometers and is a trekker’s delight. With its altitude ranging from 1524 mts to 2649 mts, it provides many a spot from where you can have a beautiful view of the Kanchendzonga ranges. The highest peak in the sanctuary is Tinhurey at 2749 mts. There are various watchtowers at Alubari, Tinijurey and Sang Tsokha, from where you can have a good view of the Kanchenjunga Ranges and the Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary.

The sanctuary is quite rich in its vegetation of Katus, Oak, Champ, Kimbu, Ferns and Bamboo. Also various types of Rhododendrons, Mosses, Orchids and Lycopodium too can be found here.

Amongst the fauna, the most visible animals available here are Himalayan Black Bear, Civet Cat, Red Panda, Binturong or Bear cat etc. It is also rich in its avi fauna, with the birds to the like of Satyr Tragopan, Hill Patridges, Kalij Pheasant, Collared Scops Owl, Collared Broadbill, Black Eagle, Maroon Oriole, Bulbus, Titmice, Green Pigeon, Brown Wood Owl, Nepal Tree Creeper, Orange Bellied Chloropsis, Yellow Billed Blue Magpie etc can be seen here.

Fambong Lho wildlife sanctuary offers various interesting routes for Trekkers too.

The best time to visit is from April to Late May, when the Rohododendrons are in full bloom. September to Mid December is also good for traveling as the weather is most suitable then. It can be easily accessed through the drive from Gangtok. The famous Rumtek Monastery lies on its southern Periphery.

Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary

Located about 65 kms From State Capital Gangtok, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 36.43 square Kilometers of South Sikkim District. Maenam lies in the northern Part of South Sikkim district and is easily accessible by road from Namchi (regular buses and taxis are available from here). Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary has an average altitude of 2300 – 3263 mts and offers you a stunning view of River Teesta flowing through it. Maenam Wildlife sanctuary is 26kms from the beautiful town of Ravangla and is located just over the Tendong hill. It is fed by Teesta River in the east and Ringit River in the West.

Maenam Literally means “treasure house of medicine”. True to its name, the sanctuary is full of plants having medicinal value. Apart from being rich in the Medicinal Plants, it also is home to various rare species of animals including Red Panda, Goral, Serow, Baring Deer, Marbled Cat, Leopard Cat, Civet Cats, Blood Pheasant, Common Hill Partridge, Magpies, Black Eagle, Blue Necked Pitta, Woodcock, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crimson Horned Pheasant, Green Pigeon, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Spotted Dove, Rufous Turtle Dove, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Common Rose Flinch, Red Headed Bullfinch, Goldheaded Black Finch etc

Maenam sanctuary is not only famous for its rich flora and fauna, but is an equally popular for the various trekking routes it offer for the trekkers. The two most popular treks are the trek of 12 kms from Ravangla to Maenam, transiting through trails of alpine Forests and striking view of Mt. Kanchendzonga, and the other one from Maenam to Borong Village.

Maenam wildlife sanctuary also offers a chance to visit Maenam Gumpha, a monastery located on the top ridge of the sanctuary and founded by Queen of Sikkim on 1969. Apart from this there is a Shiva Temple located at one of the villages and considered to be sacred along the local population.

Maenam Wildlife sanctuary can be reached from Gangtok via Ravangla and Namchi. Just 65 kms from Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Gangtok inturn connects the sanctuary with rest of India.

Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread over an area of 128 sq kms, Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 2002 and it the newest sanctuary in Sikkim. Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Pangolakha Range , which extends below the Chola Range and demarcates Sikkim with Bhutan. Hathichirey ( the place where Elephants can penetrate) form the tri junction between Bhutan, Sikkim and West Bengal.

The average altitude of the sanctuary varies from 1760 to 4390 mts and offers the typical alpine- temperate – subtropical vegetation, with high altitude lakes at Nathula and Jelepla. The main forest types includes trees of Rhododendron, Silver Fir, Juniper, Oak and dense Bamboo Thickets. The forest is just ideal for the habitat of Red Panda, Sikkim’s State Animal and Bison besides its act as an important corridor for Tiger and Takin. A recent survey of the Red Panda have found almost 300 Red Panda’s combined in Neora and Pangolakha National Parks.

It is more famous for its Avian Fauna with a rich repository of Birds especially near the Jelepla and Nathula. It also forms and extension of the more popular Neora Valley National Park of West Bengal, which in itself is an important bird area.

Recently a proposal has been mooted to covert Pangolakha wildlife Sanctuary into a National Park, to step up the efforts of conservation and at the same time to ensure the continuity of the Neora National Park.

Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary can be reached from Gangtok via Jelepla Pass, a distance of 57 kms and 1.5 hrs drive. Gangtok in turn connects it to the rest of the country.