Sikkim Wildlife - Khangchendzonga National Park and Rhododendron Sanctuary

Arjun Sadashiv is a wildlife enthusiast and made a trip to Sikkim to see the unique flora and fauna of the region. Almost 30 per cent of Sikkim is covered by reserve forests. The virgin forests of Sikkim are lush and green and receive rainfall almost throughout the year. They have spectacular bamboo thickets, rhodendrons of different colours, and unique orchids.

Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) is the largest national park of Sikkim covering the entire north-west of the state. It is 130 km west of Gangtok. You can see some of the rarest high-altitude flora and fauna here. Within the park is the specially designated Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary which has over 30 species of rhodendrons.

The oak, chestnut, pine, maple and bamboo forests of the KNP make an ideal habitat for Asiatic black bear, the red panda, snow leopard, and a multitude of butterflies and birds. Among the rare birds you can see are the lammergeier, blood pheasant, Eurasian cuckoo and tragopan.

How to get to KNP:

Nearest airport: Bagdogra  (onwards by taxi or car)

Nearest station: New Jalpaiguri (onwards by taxi or shared jeep) .

By road: Siliguri to Pelling and then Yuksom.

When to go  Mar-Jun; Sep-Nov

Permits available at:

Chief Wildlife Warden

Forest Secretariat,

Deorali

Gangtok 737102

Tel: 03592-281240

Foreigners need an Inner Line Permit.