 The
Khangchendzonga region in the Eastern Himalaya is listed among the
world's ten most critical centers for biodiversity and endemism. The
largely intact ecosystems in western Sikkim (part of the proposed
project area) possess astonishing species diversity, with 4000 species
of flowering plans, 81 species of mammals, 550 species of birds, 650
species of butterflies, 33 species of reptiles, 16 species of amphibians,
48 species of fishes, 450 species of orchids (95 genera), 36 species
of rhododendrons (45 varieties), 9 species of conifers, 300 species
of ferns and allies, and 175 species of wild edible plants including
cash-crops such as cardamom. Within the Eastern Himalaya region, the
Indian state of Sikkim is acknowledged as one of the country's most
significant biodiversity "hotspots".
The entire landscape originating from Mt. Khangchendzonga
to the lowlands of Yuksam and the surrounding areas are considered
sacred by the local inhabitants. All the physical components such
as lakes, streams, caves, snow-capped mountains, are treated as
deities. Moreover, a wide variety of zoological zones ranging from
the warm temperate belts to the alpine meadows provide a luxuriant
habitat to many rare and endangered animals such as the Snow leopard,
the Red panda, Musk deer etc.
Wild biodiversity includes all biodiversity which
is undomesticated and uncultivated, including its habitat.
| Wild Biodiversity |
Number of Species |
| Flowering Plants |
4500 |
| Orchids |
448 |
| Rhododendrons |
36 |
| Bamboos |
20 |
| Ferns |
362 |
| Tree Ferns |
9 |
| Primulas |
30 |
| Oaks |
11 |
| Mammals |
144 |
| Birds |
550 |
| Butterflies |
700 |
| Fishes |
48 |
| Mountain Peaks |
28 |
| Glaciers |
21 |
| Lakes and Wetlands |
227 |
| Rivers and Streams |
Over 104 |
 Throughout
the Khangchendzonga area, villagers of diverse ethnic backgrounds
who continue to practice traditional subsistence lifestyles can
be found. Some ten ethnic groups including Bhotia, Sherpa, Lepcha,
Limbu, Gurung, Rai, Chettri-Brahmin, Newar, Kami, Damai make this
area their home. Their cultural and religious practices add to the
areas' rich cultural heritage.
A considerable number of families use a wide variety
of NTFP for food, medicine and house construction in the region.
These practices play a major role in the local economy of the people
as many of these species find use as medicine and even food and
vegetables. Wide variety of edible fruits, vegetables and berries
are used as NTFP. These variations have provided additional charm
in the biological diversity of the region. Traditional systems of
medicine and NTFP are extensively used in their day-to-day life.
The exploitation of NTFP contributes to the biotic impoverishment
of the forest through over extraction activities, possibly because
extractors do not leave enough seed in the forest for further development.
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