Sikkim
Introduction
Physical Features
Climate
Natural Resources
Tourism
Economic
Education
Health Services
Religion institutions
Infrastructure
Media
Sikkim formerly a sovereign kingdom became the 22nd state of India in 1975. Sikkim is India's smallest state in terms of population and second smallest in area after Goa. It is the land of tranquility, peace and Hidden paradise. A beautyful region, abounding in natural and unpoilt beauty, historical sites, ages old religious shrines and a meltingpot of enthnic cultures and languages, Sikkim is fast becoming the hotspot for both domestic and foreign tourists and it is the most peaceful state of the Indian Union. Sikkim's capital is Gangtok and other major towns are Gayzing, Pelling, Yuksam and Jorethang. The Languages spoken are English, Sikkimese, Lepcha, Tibettan, Nepali and Hindi. The main source of revenue has been tourism for this small state of India being landlocked on all sides. It shares its border with Bhutan to the east, Nepal to its west, Tibet (China) to the north and Indian mainlands to its south.
Physical Features
Sikkim may be small in area, may be only second smallest after Goa, but it has rich physical features like forests, rivers and mountains that define it's boundaries. Most of the peaks above 6100 meters (2000ft) lie towards the western border of State. On the western border lies the third highest mountain of the world - the Kanchendzonga 8588 meters (28168 ft). Other peaks that stand at altitudes of above 6100 meters (20000ft) are Kabru, which is also the second highest mountain in the state. Sinilchu, Pandim, Rothong, Kokthang, Talung, Kanglakhang, Simvo & Jonsang. On the eastern border the most imposing peak is Paunhri, at an altitude of about 6700 meters(22000ft). The other mountains that are slightly less than 6100 meters (20000ft) are Masthonangye, Yabukjakchen, Narsing and Lamaonden. Most of the peaks of Sikkim have remained unscaled because the Sikkimese consider them sacred and feel that they will lose their sanctity if climbed.
Climate
The climate ranges from sub-tropical in the south to tundra in the northern parts. Most of the inhabited regions of Sikkim, however, enjoy a temperate climate, with the temperatures seldom exceeding 28 °C (82 °F) in summer or dropping below 0 °C (32 °F) in winter. The state enjoys five seasons: winter, summer, spring, and autumn, and a monsoon season between June and September. The average annual temperature for most of Sikkim is around 18 °C (64 °F). Sikkim is one of the few states in India to receive regular snowfall. The snow line is around 6,000 metres (19,600 feet).
During the monsoon months, the state is lashed by heavy rains that increase the number of landslides. The state record for the longest period of non-stop rain is eleven days. In the northern region, because of high altitude, temperatures drop below -40 °C in winter. Fog also affects many parts of the state during winter and the monsoons, making transportation extremely perilous.
Natural Resource
Sikkim is amply blessed with all the bounty of nature. Nearly 26% of the flowering plants in India are found in Sikkim as endemic species. Sikkim has 362 types of ferns and 400 species of butterflies & moths, 227 natural mountains lakes out of which visitors have seen only two of them. Similarly, sikkim has 28 mountains and peaks, 21 glaciers, 424 medicinal plants, 104 rivers and steams, 448 species of orchides, 37 rhododentrons, 21 species of bamboos, 8 number of trees frens, 30 species of primulas and 48 species of fish, so on and forth. Sikkim has 0.5% of the land area of India but have over 26% of the biodiversity.
The hydro power potential in Sikkim alone is estimated to be a whopping 800 MW, the goverment is trying to tap on this huge potential in collaboration with NHPC.Five major power projects identified along with Teesta basin. 510 MW Teesta hydroelectric Project Stage V generates 2172 million units annually which could be exported to other parts of India, generating handsome revenue for the State. Besides Testa Projects, the Central Electricity Authority of India has recently Identified a total of 21 macro and mini hydel schemes for the state located in places like Rolep, Ralang, Chakung chu, Chuchachen and Dikchu.
Tourism
During few years tourist spots have been developed throughout the state and have been well published in all leading national and international magazines. By placing Tourism in the category of Industry, unlimited opportunities have been opened. The State is encouraging advenure sports, rafting, trekking and rock climbing, it represents the state in ASEAN car rally, mountain bike rally and exhibits para gliding. The state has opened up three mountain peaks for alpine expedition. Currently tourism has provided 15,000+ jobs in Sikkim state. There has been an increase in the revenue earned through tourism. The revenue has reached Rs. 60 - 70 Crores. To support this trend the state and central goverment is spending Rs. 25 corores each year on tourism related projects. After 1995 under the guidance of tourism department 200+travel agencies have been established and these agencies are regularly trained and made sensitive to environmental issues. More passes are being issued to vehicles going to Nathula Tourist spot.
Economic
Three big industries and 245 small scale industries have come up in the state. They are running successfully. Sick industries are also being diversed, privatized or closed down. There are 496 cooperative Samitis and 94 consumer cooperatives in the state which are being provided loan through SISCO bank. Till now 1270+ people and organizations have been benefited. Former prime minister of India, Shri Atal Behari vajpayee during his visit to Sikkim Announced and economic package of Rs. 500 crores.
Education
Today there are total of 783 state Goverment Schools, with 503 Primary Shools, 146 Junior High Schools, 93 Secondary Schools, 93 Secondary Schools and 41 Senior Secondary Schools in Sikkim. Pre-primary sections are attached to all the State Goverment schools to prepre the children to enter into the school system. The total enrolment during 2005-2006 in the State Goverment schools was 1,32,414 (including pre-primary sections) with 65,080 boys and 67,334 girls. Growth rate of female literacy has been higher than those of boys in Sikkim. There are 7 central Goverment Schools with total enrolment of 1862 students. 341 private schools are functioning throughout the state with a total enrolment of 32,264.There are 12 sanskrit pathsalas, 70 Monastic schools and 7 islamic schools. The foreign Language training for capacity building for unemployed youth in English, Tibetan, Chinese, French, German, Thai and Japanese started from 2006. Currently Literacy is 69.68+% in State. The State Goverment is committed to make Sikkim literacy rate upto 100% by 2015.
Health Services
Health services are free in all Goverment Health centers in Sikkim. There are 24 Primary health centers and 147 PHSCs in the State. Most of the Health indices of the state are better than the national Average. In comparison to the national indicators, the health indicators of Sikkim are three times better. In Sikkim the ratio of hospital bet :people is 1:530 whereas it is 1:1451 (2004-2005) at the national level. Similarly, the ratio of patients: doctor is 2504:1; the ratio of population:nurse is 3359:1; whereas the same ratios at the national level are 3500:1 and 5000:1, respectively, in the state, on an average, a doctor attends 4.72 beds and nurces 6.33 beds.
Sikkim is the first state to launch Hepatitis B immunization from 14th August 2001. Leprosy prevalance rate is 0.68%/10,000, elimination level already achived. More than 90% of the children are vaccinated against life threatening deseases. Sikkim is the first state, which has succeeded in vaccinating all the children below the age of one with Hepatitis B vaccines. Under this programme more than 30,000 children have been inoculated. From sept 2004 aged 1 to 5 are being vaccinated free of cost with Hepatitis-B vaccine. Till now more than 10,000 children have been vaccinated.
Smoking is banned in al public places, the sale of Gutka is prohibited. A rehabilitation center of drug addicts and liquor addicts have been opened at nimtar, east Sikkim.
Religion institutions
On 14th February 2004, a 135 ft. tall statue of Sikkim's Patron Saint, Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) was installed at Samdruptse, Namchi. At Solophok in Namchi, a 108 ft. tall statue of Laor Shiva, the holy Char Dham of Hindus with idols of various gods and goddes of different communities of Sikkim are being installed. Presently there are 723 religious institutions of different faiths in Sikkim.
Infrastructure
936 km roads of state has been carpeted, the cunstruction of 309 km new link roads also completed. A sum of Rs. 500 crore has been sanctioned by the central goverment for construction of an alternative highway to connect Sikkim with the rest of the counry. Plans are underway out to connect Melli of Sikkim with Mamring; and Jorethang with Namchi through alternative highways. The State Goverment has linked the entire villages of Sikkim with roads and upgraded existing roads by carpeting them. CC footpaths have been constructed in almost all the villages of Sikkim. To mordernize means of transport helicopter services have been intorduced in Sikkim, till now eight helipads have been constructed throughout the state. New structures such as Chintan Bhawan, Samman Bhawan, Janta Bhawan, SREDA bhawan, Ashirbad Bhawan, Circuit House, Youth Hostel, Kanchendzonga Shopping Complex, Car parks in Deorali and Baluwakhani in gangtok and in Ranipool have been constructed. Strom drainage system was constructed in National Highway between Gangtok & Ranipool. At Pakyong, East Sikkim the cunstruction of airport has already begun, and Sikkim occupies the first position in Tele density. Sikkim has a number of hydroelectric power stations, providing a steady electricity source.
Media
Before 1994 there were only 20 accredited newspapers in Sikkim, Today there are more than 70 daily, bi-weekly and weekly newspapers are published in Sikkim. For the protection of the rights of the journalists "Press Club of Sikkim" has also been established. Number of Cyber Cafes are also established in Sikkim, after introduction to broadband in State, surfing has been quite faster in these Cafes. Also the Paid Settalite Dish TVs have been introduced in Sikkim, now people have choices between Cable Operators and Dish TVs. And almost all major towns have cellular network coverages in Sikkim, the major service providers are BSNL, Reliance Infocomm, Hutch, Airtel & BSNL.
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