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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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