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Sikkim
Area : 7,096 sq km
Population : 540,493
Capital : Gangtok
Principal Languages : Lepcha, Bhutia, Limbu and
Nepali
History and Geography
The early history of Sikkim starts in the 13th century
with the signing of a blood-brotherhood treaty between
the Lepcha Chief Thekong Tek and Tibetan prince
Khye-Bumsa at Kabi Lungtsok in North Sikkim. This
follows the historical visit of three revered Lamas to
Yuksam in 1641 in West Sikkim, where they consecrated
Phuntsog Namgyal, a sixth generation descendent of
Khye-Humsa as the first Chogyal of Sikkim, thus
heralding the beginning of the Namgyal dynasty in Sikkim.
With the march of history, events in Sikkim saw the
state pass through the process of democratisation and
became an integral part of the Indian Union in 1975.
Guru Padmasambhava blessed Sikkim enroute to Tibet.
Sikkim is a blessed land, where people from all
communities live in harmony. Inspite of the fact that
Sikkim comprises of different people and multi ethnic
society, perhaps it is the most peaceful state of the
Indian Union to promote communal harmony and human
relations, a feat which is much expected in a plural
society like India.
Sikkim is a small hilly state, bounded by vast stretches
of Tibetan Plateaux in the North, the Chumbi Valley of
Tibet and the Kingdom of Bhutan in the East, the Kingdom
of Nepal in the West, and Darjeeling (West Bengal) in
the South. The State has a total area of 7,096 sq km,
and is stretched over 112 km from North to South, and 64
km from East to West. It lies in the North-Eastern
Himalayas between 27 degree 00’46’’ to 28 degree 07’48’’
North Latitude, and 88 degree 00’58’’ to 88 degree
55’25’’ East Longitude.
The world’s third highest mountain, Kanchenjunga,
regarded as the guardian deity of Sikkim, dominates the
tiny Himalayan State with its awe-inspiring beauty and
majesty. Sikkim is one of the 18 bio diversity hotspots
in the world. The Sikkim Himalayas show tremendous
biological diversity. More than 5000 species of
angiosperms are found in the State, which is nearly one
third of the total species of angiosperm found in the
country. There are 4,000 species of flowering plants,
300 species of ferns and allies, 450 to 500 species of
orchids, 36 species of Rhododendrons, 40 species of
oaks, 30 to 40 species of Primulas and bamboos, 144
species of mammals, 500 to 600 species of birds, over
400 species of butterflies and moths, and many species
of reptiles in the State. Rare Blue Sheep, Tibetan
Mastiff, Yaks and Red Pandas are found here.
Agriculture
The State’s economy is basically agrarian. More than 64
per cent of the population depends on agriculture for
their livelihood. Agricultural land in Sikkim is
estimated to be around 1,09,000 hectares, i.e., 15.36
per cent of the total geographical area. Farmers
commonly follow mixed farming, which is ideally suited
and fits well in the developmental process of making
Sikkim an organic State. The State Government has drawn
up plans to promote organic farming in Sikkim and see
the further value addition in its agricultural and
horticultural produces. Maize, rice, wheat, potato,
large cardamom, ginger and orange are the principal
crops. Sikkim has the largest area and highest
production of large brown cardamom in India. Ginger,
potato, orange and off-season vegetables are other cash
crops.
As per the Human Development Report-2001, land resources
in Sikkim are constrained on account of demographic
pressure (per capita availability) and activities that
they can sustain. Diversification in the pattern of land
use has to take into account both food security
requirements and constraints imposed by the terrain. The
limitations of terrace farming in terms of productivity,
irrigation and the scope for extending cultivation
highlight the constraints faced by farming for
livelihood security. Under these conditions innovative
practices in land management and horticulture and
floriculture can be identified as growth sectors.
Industry
Though Sikkim has been declared industrially backward
state, the existence of craftsmanship based traditional
Sikkimese cottage industries dates back to several
centuries. Lepcha’s skill in bamboo-craft, woodwork,
spinning of yarn and carpet weaving in traditional
textures, Bhutia’s excellence in ancient Tibetan
practice of carpet and rug weaving and Nepali’s
celebrated craftsmanship of their metalwork, silverware
and woodwork are very exclusive. The Department of
Commerce and Industries lays emphasis on the promotion
and development of various small-scale industries. New
Industrial Policy, which was extended in the year 2003,
provides special package for development of industries
in the state on the lines of northeast industries
policy. This includes excise and income tax exemption to
all new industries as well as expansion of existing
units for a period of ten years from the date of
commencement of commercial production. In addition, the
policy also entails granting of financial concessions to
12 identified thrust areas in industries irrespective of
where they are located in the state. The Government of
Sikkim had organised two workshops at Delhi in 2003 to
open up Sikkim as an investment destination and
industrial growth.
Sikkim Jewels limited is one of the sophisticated and
precision oriented industries for the manufacture of
jewel bearings for electric meters, water meters and
other measuring instruments like watches and clocks. Ten
ancillary units have been set up to manufacture watch
jewels. The Sikkim Industrial Development and Investment
Corporation Ltd., (SIDICO) was set up as the state level
principal financial institution engaged in the promotion
and financing of development in this sector. It provides
long-term loans for cottage, tiny, small and medium
scale industrial units, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes
and taxis.
Irrigation and Power
Tenth Five Year Plan targets to irrigate 34,118 hectares
of agricultural land. Many new irrigation schemes for
providing assured water both for Kharif and Rabi
cropping are taken up and to prevent damages to open
channels owing to landslides and to ensure regular flow
of water concrete hume pipes and HDPE pipes are used
extensively in problem areas.
Total installed capacity of power in the State is 36 MW
that is hydro based with transformation capacity of 123
MVA. Rangeet hydel project has installed capacity of 560
MW. The total power potential of the state is estimated
at 8,000 MW. Though only 0.2 per cent capacity was
installed by the year 2001, four hydro projects with the
total of 804 MW power are nearing completion in the
state. More initiatives are being taken by the
government to tap the full potential of the power in the
state. The State is also open to private investment in
power sector. The Teesta V Project now under
construction is run of the river scheme located in the
East District and the proposed installed capacity of
this project is 510 MW.
Transport
Roads : Gangtok is connected by roads with
Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri, and also with all the
district headquarters within Sikkim. The total road
length of the state is 2,383 km, including 41 km of
National Highway.
Railways and Aviation : The closest railway
stations are Siliguri (113) and New Jalpaiguri (125 km)
connecting Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Lucknow and other
important cities. There is no airport in Sikkim,
although there is a helicopter service between Gangtok
and Bagdogra, heavily subsidised by the State
Government. The State has also initiated construction of
a number of helipads to connect the district and
sub-divisional headquarters and important tourist
places.
Information Technology
A new Information Technology Department has been created
in the State, and has prepared extensive projects to
give top priority to this department. The newly created
department has already launched a number of Web sites on
Sikkim, and is now aiming for e-governance through the
use of information tools. The official Web site of
Sikkim, hosted and maintained by the Department of
Information Technology, Government of Sikkim, is
www.sikkimgovt.org
Festivals
Sikkim’s population comprises the three principal ethnic
communities of the Bhutias, Lepchas and the Nepalese.
Maghey Sankranti, Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja and Chaite
Dassai/Ram Navami, Dassai, Tyohar, Sonam Losoong,
Namsoog, Tendong Lho Rum Faat (Worship of Mt. Tendong),
Lohsar (Tibetan New Year) are the major festivals. The
other festivals include Sakewa (Rai), Sonam Lochar (Gurung),
Barahimzong (Magor), etc.
Tourism
Sikkim is famous for its lush green vegetation, forest,
scenic valleys and majestic mountains, and a range of
rich and magnificent cultural heritage and peace loving
people, which provide a safe haven for tourists. The
State Government supports eco-friendly and pilgrim
tourism and accordingly, has provided facilities to
enable visitors to enjoy a first-hand experience of the
rich heritage and lifestyle of Sikkim. Recognising the
potential of adventure tourism, the State government is
setting up a Himalayan Centre for Adventure Tourism at
Chemchey Village in South Sikkim.
The premier monastery of Sikkim is Pemayantshe in
Pelling. Apart from this, there is Tashiding Monastery
in West Sikkim, which is considered the holiest of all
the monasteries in Sikkim. The most ancient monastery of
Sikkim is in Yuksom, called the Drubdi monastery. It was
the personal hermitage of Lhatsun Chenpo (Patron Saint
of Sikkim), and was possibly built in 1700 AD. Some of
the other monasteries are Phodong, Phensang, Rumtek,
Ngadak, Tolung, Ahlay, Tsuklakhand, Ralong, Lachen,
Enchey and others. Of the Hindu temples, the best known
is the Thakurbari, in the heart of Gangtok. There is
also a holy cave in South district, which has a Shiva
Lingam that irradiates the cave where no other light
finds its way. There are some important Gurdwaras and
Mosques, chief among them being in Gangtok and Ravangla. |
