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Sikkim is the 22nd State of the Indian union,
is a small mountain State in the Eastern Himalayas. It is
bounded by Tibet on the North, Nepal on the West and Bhutan
on the East; West Bengal lies to its South. It is the least
populated state in the union. Sikkim is strategically important
for India. The state is entirely mountainous and about a third
of the land is covered with dense forests, where Sal, bamboo
and other plants thrive. Some of the finest forests lie in
the northern most areas in Lachen and Lachung. Here the mountains
rise to elevations of 7000mtrs and more. Kanchenjunga (8579m)
the world’s third highest Peak rises from this area.
The forests here are inaccessible and remain for the most
part unexploited. The terrain is made up of deep valleys and
gorges, towering peaks, terraces and wall like ridges.
The Sanctuary is situated to the North-West of Gangtok in
the lower Himalayas. Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary is located
in East District, 23km. away from Gangtok converting over
51.76 sq.km., which was declared and notified on 2nd. April,
1984 vide No.34/WL/82. The elevation of the Sanctuary varies
from 1697m to 2485m on Tinjurey Peak. It has three parallal
peaks covered with thicket vegetation. They are situated continuously
parallal commencing from Tinjurey just above Golitar following
the ridges along Fambong Lho above Rustek and Ragorathak above
sang. The land gradually slopes down from the ridges, which
forms deep valleys and intermittent gentle slopes and undulations.
Regarding the occurrence and distribution of wildlife, the
sanctuary has information on Wolf, Serow, Bintorung and even
Tigers in the past. But so far no sighting could be made.
There are more than two varieties of Barking Deer in the Sanctuary.
One with pure black fur and other reddish brown flanks and
dorsals are conspicuously darken. The occurrence of Red Panda
is located at Tinjurey Peak and it enters the area from Lagyap
R.F. in the North East crossing NE 31 at Pelang. The primates
mainly are Rhesus monkeys frequently damage the crops in the
village especially at Khamdong/Sumik area. The sightings of
Goral are not uncommon. The Black Bear and Sloth Bear frequent
the Bamboo forest and are quite dangerous to the villagers
and even stalk in the tourist zones.
The predominant pheasant species sighted in the area are Tragopan,
in the higher elevated zones and Kalij pheasant partridges
are also observed in the middle zone. There are more than
500 species of avifauna visit the sanctuary and are mostly
residential character.
As far as flora is concerned, there is one lonely Hemlock
tree measuring 4.5m girth at B.H. on the saddle facing east
of Tinjurey Peak. The existence of this species with only
a tree is unique in itself as there is no dispersal of any
seeds from mother trees. The bamboo is one of the main middle
storey crop and provides good habitat for Panda, Pheasants
and Bears.
The protected area is surrounded by a large number of Revenue
blocks extending over 122.24 sq.km. with several terraced
lands which are seasonally irrigated. These villages depend
for fodder, fuel wood on the sanctuary leading a stiff competition
on the protected area. As such, the sanctuary area is subject
to various forms of biotic interference, which are partially
controlled after the declaration of the sanctuary and is often
posed management problem. Efforts are being made to combat
the encroachment and interferences within the core area of
the sanctuary as well as outside the Protected Area.
Several meetings with the surroundings villagers and Panchayats
were conducted to assess the extent of people’s participation
for the conservation of wildlife and their protection through
co-operation of the villagers at different villages. The slopes
are steep while the topography is made up of high ridges and
deep valleys. The climate is sub tropical to temperate.
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