KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE SIKKIM (INDIA)

(Nomination Document for UNESCO-MAB net)

PART 1: SUMMARY

PART 2: DESCRIPTION

Prepared by

Government of Sikkim FOREST, ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT Gangtok - 737 102, Sikkim, India

and

G. B. PANT INSTITUTE OF HIMALAYAN ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT

(An Autonomous Institute of Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India)

Kosi-Katarmal, Almora- 263 643, Uttarakhand, India

with GBPIHED, Sikkim Unit Pangthang- Gangtok 737 101, Sikkim, India

JULY 2010

Participation

ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED

Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department Government of Sikkim Gangtok, Sikkim, India

G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development

Kosi-Katarmal Almora, Uttarakhand, India

&

G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development

Sikkim UnitPangthang-Gangtok, Sikkim, India

COORDINATION Shri S.T. Lachungpa, IFS PCCF cum Secretary (FEWMD) Shri N.T. Bhutia, IFS

Chief Wildlife Warden (FEWMD)

Dr. L.M.S. Palni

Director (GBPIHED) Kosi-Katarmal

DOCUMENT PREPARATION

Shri Guth Lepcha, SFS Addl. Director (FEWMD) Zoological Park, Gangtok

Shri J.B. Subba, SFS Joint Director (FEWMD) Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve

Dr. Hemant K. Badola

Nodal Person (KBR) Lead-BR, Sikkim Unit (GBPIHED)

Dr. R.S. Rawal Nodal Person

Lead BR HQs (GBPIHED) Kosi-Katarmal

____________________________________________________________________

While finalizing the document several people provided inputs to the documenting team. We thank them. We also acknowledge the help received for preparing this document from the

published/unpublished documents of various people.

CONTENTS Contents Page No. Part I- Summary 1 to 4.5. KBR description, including details on transition zone 1-26 Annexure I & II & III (black & white)- KBR maps with zonation (after Page 1)

Annexure III (Colour with scale)- enclosed in a Pocket at inside of back cover of document

Annexure IV A and IV B- KNP land use maps 27-28 Buffer zone or zone and transition zone 29-31 4.6. Organizational arrangements-public authorities, local communities and private interests in design and carrying out of functions of a BR 31-35

4.7. Mechanisms for implementation 35-39 5. Endorsements by authorities and representative of civil society 40-42 Part II- Description 6-7. KBR description on area, rationale to zonation, biogeographical region 43-45 9. Land use history 45-46 10. Human population of biosphere reserve and description of local communities and cultural significance, etc. 46-50

11. Physical characteristics and climate/geology 50-53 12. Biological characteristics 53-57 13. Conservation function 57-58 14. Development function, including tourism and other economic activities 59-62 15.1 to 15.3. Logistic support function and research (pas and on-going, etc) and environmental education and public awareness 62-71

15.4 (1 to 4). Potential to contribute to World Network of BRs 71-73 16. Use and activities 73-75 17.1- 17.6. Institutional aspects & Management in participatory manner 75-80 17.7 Personnel 80-81 17.8 Financial source and yearly budget 81-82 17.9- 17.10 Authority incharge of administration and local organizational arrangement 82-84

18. Special designations 84-87 19. Supporting documents (details on Annexures) 87-89 20. Address (contacts) 89-91 Annexure V. Govt. notification, August 1977 92 Annexure VI. Govt. notification, May 1997 93-94 Annexure VII. Govt. notification, February 2000 95-98 Annexure VIII. Govt. notification, February 2006 99-105 Annexure IX. Govt., February 2006 106-112 Annexure X. Govt., February 2006 113-117 Annexure XI. Govt. notification, February 2006 118-123 Annexure XII. Govt. notification, February 2007 124-125 Annexure XIII. Govt. notification, 24.5.2010 (transition zone) 126-135 Annexure XIV to XXXVI- Species lists (Flora and Fauna) 136-241 Annexure XXXVII to XXXVIII- Natural landforms, glaciers and lakes 241-243 Annexure XXXIX- Management Action Plan (2009-10) 244-272 Annexure XXXX- Bibliography 273-276

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KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, SIKKIM (INDIA)

Proposal for nomination within the frame work of UNESCO's programme on

MAN AND BIOSPHERE (MAB)

PART 1 : SUMMARY

1. NAME OF THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE:

[It is advisable to use a locally accepted geographic, descriptive or symbolic name

which allows people to identify themselves with the site concerned(e.g. Rio Platano

Biosphere Reserve, Bookmark Biosphere Reserve). Except in unusual circumstances,

Biosphere Reserves should not be named after existing national parks or similar

administrative areas]

Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR)

2. COUNTRY:

Sikkim State (India) 3. FULFILLMENT OF THE THREE FUNCTIONS OF BIOSPHERE

RESERVES:

(Article 3 of the Statutory Framework presents the three functions of conservation,

development and logistic support. Explain in general terms how the area fulfills these

functions)

3.1 “Conservation – contribute to the conservation of landscapes,

ecosystems, species and genetic variation” (Stress the importance

of the site for conservation at the regional or global scales)

• Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR) with an area of

2,931.12 Km2 (with newly inclusion of transition zone, covering

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311.20 Km2) represents a land area which upholds the Trans-Himalayan biota in the eastern part of Hindukush Himalayas.

• The chain of the Great Himalayan Mountain begins from Afghanistan and as it proceeds eastwards to include the Highest Peak of the World, the Mount Everest, the Khangchendzonga (generally known and spelt as Kanchenjunga) Mountain Range, the third highest peak of the World commences immediately after the Everest Range and forms the major portion of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR).

• KBR is the only an important major conservation area with more of

ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural and zoological significance in this part of the himalayan belt declared by the Government of India during 2000 through a Notification No. J - 22016/76/91-BR dated 07-02-2000. After a the inclusion of a transition zone, the KBR was recently re-notified vide notification No. 204/KNP-KBR/WL/Forests/2009, dated 24/ 05 /2010.

• KBR comprises of unique geomorphic features of high mountains

and peaks, glaciers and lakes. The most magnificent attraction of the Biosphere Reserve from the scenic point of view is the Mount Khangchendzonga itself. The Khangchendzonga Range comprises of some of the most picturesque and most beautiful peaks, each one note-worthy for its glamorous beauty and majesty. The lofty Mt. Khangchendzonga (8586 m) which literally means the abode of Gods consisting of five treasure houses indicating five peaks and the guardian deity of Sikkim, occupies the predominant position in the middle flanked by Mount Narsing (5825 m), Mount Pandim (6691 m), Mount Kabur (6585 m) on the southern side, the Twins (7350 m) Nepal Peak (7150 m), Tent Peak ( 7365 m) etc. on the northern side and Mount Simvo (6811 m), Mount Siniolchu (6886 m) on the eastern side.These mountains and peaks have attracted mountaineers and photographers alike from over the world as they boast most of the magnificent snow and ice scenery in the world.

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• KBR is situated in the Eastern Himalayas, one of the 18 biodiversity hotspots in the World. It lies partly within the bio-geographic province IB, the Trans-Himalayan Zone (cold desert steppe with Tibetan wild animals such as the Great Tibetan Sheep, Tibetan Gazelle, Tibetan Antelope, Tibetan Wild Ass or Kiang) and partly within the bio- geographic province 2 C, the Central Himalaya.

• The Core Zone of KBR, the Khangchendzonga (High Altitude)

National Park covering an area of 1,78,400 hectares, is a major trans-boundary Wildlife Protected Area notified under the provision of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 by the State Government of Sikkim vide Notification No. 1/KNP(WL)/F/27 dated 19-05-1997.

• KBR is endowed with one of the highest eco-systems in the world

and it covers varying eco-clines from sub-tropical to arctic, vast land of natural forests in different biomes from 1220 m to over 8550 m above sea level. The vegetation mainly comprises of East Himalayan Sub-tropical Broad-leaf Hill Forest, East Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest, East Himalayan Mixed Coniferous Forest, East Himalayan Sub-Alpine Birch/Fir/Rhododendron Forest, Moist Alpine Scrub Forest and Alpine Pastures.

• KBR includes areas of high religious significance that some of the

Mountains/ Peaks, Lakes, Caves, Rocks, Stupas (Shrines) and Hot-Springs are sacred and pilgrimage sites. The State Government of Sikkim has banned scaling of sacred peaks and also defilement of sacred caves, sacred rocks, sacred lakes, stupas and sacred hot-springs.

• KBR has been zoned according to values in smaller pockets in order

to give conservation high priority. In addition to core, buffer and transiton zones, the state government recognized specific conservation value oriented areas during the year 2006, viz. Lampokhri Medicinal Plants Conservation area, Yongzodrak Blue Sheep Conservation area, Areylungchok Musk Deer Conservation area and Singalila Eco-tourism Promotion area.

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• KBR contains floral and faunal elements akin to Palaearctic and Oriental regions and in addition, it has a good representation of species endemic to Himalaya. Some of these comprise of Cordyceps sinensis, a peculiar sparingly branched fungus plant of highly medicinal value growing in the head of cater pillar which grow underground in alpine meadows; Schizandra grandiflora, a primitive climber, Helwingia himalaica, Smilax rigida, Euonymons spp., Paphiopedilum faireanum, Paphiopedilum venustum, Rhododendron anthopogon, Swertia multicaulis, Dactylorhiza hatagirea (Orchis latifolia), Heracleum wallichi, Panax pseudoginseng, Podophyllum hexandrum, and Aconitum ferox, etc. Among the animals the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens, State Animal), Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia), Great Tibetan Sheep (Ovis ammon hodgsoni), Bharal (Pseudois nayuar), Musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), are Himalayan endemic representation in KBR. Black-necked crane (migratory) Grus nigricollis, Grey Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum), Himalayan Monal Pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus), Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus), Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan Satyra), Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), Tibetan Snow Cock (Tetraogallus tibetanus), and Himalayan Snow Cock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) are also among the birds unique to KBR.

• KBR is a trans-boundary bio-diversity hotspot conservation area

bordering Tibet (China) in the North and Nepal in the West providing an opportunity for drawing up long term common vision and action plan for collaborative management and development of this unique mountain eco-system as it is endowed with one of the highest eco-systems in the world. With its rich species diversity, the KBR or the Khangchendzonga Mountain System can undoubtedly be an area for research works in ecology, entho-medicine and in alike fields.

3.2. “Development – foster economic and human development

which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable”. (Indicate the potential of the proposed biosphere reserve in fulfilling this

objective).

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• As per recent notification, there are 44 villages distributed in the periphery of Transition zone of the biosphere reserve, located in north, west and sourth districts of Sikkim; these are considered as fringe villages for social activity and eco-development programs linked to the reserve.

• The local communities of transition zone villages belong to different

ethnic groups viz Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalese. They belong to scheduled tribe, scheduled caste, other backward classes and most backward classes of communities.

• The local communities of the transition zone villages are basically

agriculturists. Farmers are mostly practicing mixed farming. Agriculture is well established and is the main occupation. The villagers grow maize, paddy, cardamom which is the main cash crop, wheat and barely, buck wheat, millet, ginger, oil seeds and vegetables. Horticulture is another source of income due to the prevalent climate condition ranging from sub-tropical to alpine with major areas under temperate climate. The important fruit crops are mandarin orange, guava, lemon and temperate fruits like pear, plum, peach etc.

• The rural economy is mostly a mixed economy of agriculture and

animal husbandry. The major livestock categories comprise of cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep, pigs, and horse, yaks and poultry birds. On an average, a farmer is seen to maintain a pair of bullocks, a cow, 2-3 goats and a few birds. Buffaloes are the only source of farm power.

• Few local communities also farming pastoralism in the fringes of core

and buffer areas. Their livestocks consist of Yaks, DZOs (cross-bred of Yak and Cow suitable for pack animals), domestic sheep, horses and scrub cattle. An individual owner possesses about 70-160 Yaks and DZOs or 70-120 sheep. Since grazing has been banned in the reserved forests in the State, the pastoralism is gradually being removed. There is encouraging cooperation and support from the local communities resulting into a great achievement in the removal

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of grazing from many of the reserved forests including KBR. The shepherds/ herders now tend to change their pastoral lifestyle to agriculture farming tradition.

• The native communities who possess marginal agriculture lands are

socially, culturally and emotionally attached to the area. They are not much dependent on the biological resources of the reserve for use as food, fodder, fuel, timber, agricultural tools, medicine etc. as these are grown in their own lands under the various eco-development programs of the reserve. Income generating activities such as agriculture, pisciculture, piggery, animal husbandry, Angora rabbit farming, broom grass cultivation, knitting and cutting, handlooms and handicrafts productions are initiated by the KBR management authorities and other agencies.

3.3 “Logistic support – support for demonstration projects, environmental education and training, research and monitoring related to local, regional, national and global issues of conservation and sustainable development”. (Indicate

current or planned facilities).

• Authorities of the KBR at the helm of the State Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim provide the basic support for demonstration of the project programs and organize environmental awareness and educational camps, seminars, technology transfer programs etc.

• Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India under its

MAN AND BIOSPHERE (MAB) Scheme, provides fund for developmental programs in the reserve.

• The G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development,

Almora- Uttarakhand, India has been identified as Lead/Coordinating Institution for KBR along with other Himalayan Biosphere Reserves such as Nanda Devi, Dibru-Saikhowa, Dehang-Debang and Manas, and the Sikkim Unit of the G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan

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Environment and Development at Panghtang-Gangtok, Sikkim (India) is the Nodal Agency to facilitate the research and developmental activities and compile and disseminate the available information for Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (Sikkim). At the same time, Sikkim unit of the GBPIHED is one of the leading organizations carrying out biodiversity conservation and management studies in KBR. The Institute after analysis of the information identifies the gap areas for future management planning and action.

• Various Biosphere Reserve Committees at National Level, State Level,

Project Implementation Level and Village Level are also part of the functionaries to facilitate research and developmental activities in KBR. Village Level bodies include Eco-development Committees and Joint Forest Management Committees. Various research organizations and NGOs are also carrying out research projects related to bio-diversity assessment and conservation and other related aspects with funding support from different national and international agencies in KBR.

4. CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION AS A BIOSPHERE RESERVE (Article 4 of the Statutory Framework presents 7 general criteria for an area to be

qualified for designation as a biosphere reserve which are given in order below)

4.1. “Encompass mosaic of Geological systems representative of major bio-geographic regions, including a gradation of human intervention” (The term “mosaic” refers to a diversity of natural habitats and land cover types

derived from human uses such as fields, managed forests, etc. The term ‘major

biogeographic region’ is not strictly defined but it would be useful to refer to the

map of the “World Network of Biosphere Reserves” which presents 12 major

ecosystem types at a global scale).

• Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is situated in the Eastern

Himalayas which is one of the 18 bio – diversity hotspots in the world. The reserve is endowed with one of the highest mountain eco-systems in the world and has exceptional natural beauty with unique geomorphic features of mountains and peaks over 23 in numbers.

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The area is spectacular wilderness with the world’s third highest peak Mount Khangchendzonga towering above some fine forests that still remain virtually undisturbed. The most magnificent attraction of the Biosphere Reserve from the scenic point of view is the Mount Khangchendzonga itself. The Khangchendzonga Range comprises of some of the most picturesque and most beautiful peaks, each one note-worthy for its glamorous beauty and majesty. The lofty Mt. Khangchendzonga (8586m) which literally means the abode of Gods consisting of five treasure houses indicating five peaks and the guardian deity of Sikkim State occupies the pre-dominant position in the middle flanked by Mount Narsing (5,825 m), Mt. Pandim (6,691), Mount Kabru ( 6585) on the southern side, The Twins (7350), Nepal Peak (7150), Tent Peak (7365 m) etc. on the northern side and Mount Simvo (6811 m), Mount Siniolchu (6886 m) on the eastern side. These mountains and peaks have attracted mountaineers and photographers alike from all over the world, the most beautiful ones being the Mt. Narsing, Mt. Pandim and Mt. Siniolchu apart from the highest Mt. Khangchendzonga.

• Khangchendzonga is the finest example of an independent mountain

having its own glacial system radiating from its several summits. There are around nineteen (19) glaciers, among them the huge, fearsome and turbulent looking is the Zemu glacier which is at its width of 300 m and length of 26 kilometers, perhaps lasrgest in Asia. The other glaciers are Tent Peak Glacier, Zumthul Phuk Glacier, Talung Glacier, Rathong Glacier, Hidden Glacier, Simvo Glacier, Changsang Glacier etc. Similarly, the high land areas are dotted with around eighteen (18) crystal clear placid high altitude lakes. Green Lake, Nir Pokhari, Mujur Pokhri, Lam Pokhri, Dudh Pokhri, Lhunak Tso are a few to mention.

• KBR includes a part of the Trans-Himalayan Zone (Cold desert) and

part of the biotic province 2 C, the Central Himalaya out of the 23 biotic provinces spread over in 10 bio-geographic zones in India. The reserve includes a National Park as core zone, some areas of which have been further sub-zoned according to values in smaller pockets not necessarily as large cores, but a mosaic for population of

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endangered species such as Musk Deer, Bharal or Blue Sheep and conservation of endangered medicinal plants. Some smaller areas have also been sub-zoned for promoting ecotourism and designated as Eco-tourism Promotion Zone. There are four buffer zones covering only the Reserve Forests set aside for manipulating forestry related activities, and a transition zone for socio-economic developmental activities.

4.2. "Be of significance for biological diversity conservation"

(This should refer not only to the numbers of endemic species, or rare and

endangered species at the local, regional or global levels,but also to species of

globally economic importance, rare habitat types or unique land use practices ( for

example traditional grazing or artisanal fishing) favouring the conservation of

biological diversity. Give only a general indication here).

• KBR has a vertical sweep of over 7350 m in between the altitudinal range of 1000 m to 8586 m of the reserve where several gradations of natural habitats such as Temperate and Sub-alpine Forests, Alpine Scrub land and Alpine Grass lands are found. Alpine lakes represent the high altitude aquatic biota. The mountain ecological system of the reserve is unique and found nowhere else within such a short reach.

• The vegetation of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve may be

divided into 4 divisions, namely (1) Sub-tropical zone, (2) Temperate zone, (3) Sub-alpine zone and (4) Alpine zone.

Sub-tropical zone (1000 -2000/2100 m): This part of the reserve receives average annual rainfall of 1000 – 2550 mm with moderately hot summer of maximum temperature 24o C and cold winter. The dominant tree species in this zone are Alnus nepalensis, Schima wallichii, Castanopsis spp., Quercus spp., Engelhardtia spicata etc. Some medicinal plants found in this zone are Dioscorea spp., Sapindus mukorossi, Datura stramonium, Gmelina arborea, Cinnamomum tamala, Cinnamomum zeylanica etc.

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Temperate Zone (2000/2,100-3000/3100 m): Summer not hot and winter very cold with average annual rainfall of 1500 – 2700mm. Snowfall is prominent. The lower zone merges with the Sub-tropical zone and the upper zone with the Sub-alpine zone. The dominant tree species in this zone are Quercus spp., Rhododendron spp., Magnolia campbellii, Michelia champaca, Abies densa, Tsuga dumosa, Taxus baccata, etc. Some of the important medicinal plants found in this zone are Swertia chirayita, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Arisaema speciosum, Podophylum hexandrum, Polygonum viviparum, Potentilla fulgens etc. Sub-alpine zone (3000/3100 – 4000/4100 m): This is the region of timber line with Abies Spp., Betula utilis, Rhododendrons spp., Juniperus recurva, Juniperus wallichiana. Medicinal plants such as Aconitum species, Bergenia ciliata, Panax pseudoginseng, Saussurea costus, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Selinum tenuifolium, etc. are found in this zone. Alpine zone (4000/4100 – 4500 m): This streches from above timber line upto snow line. Winter is severe and summer relatively short and cold. Precipitation is found minimum in the form of snow and rain scanty. The vegetation is in the form of cushion. Prominent plant species found in this zone are, Meconopsis spp., Delphinium spp., Gentiana spp., Saussurea ssp., Primula spp., Nardostachys jatamansi etc; and also the unique presence of Cordyceps sinensis.

• Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve represents three major biomes,

viz. sub-tropical forest biome, temperate forest biome and the alpine grassland biome. According to Champion & Seth, 1968, there are six major forest types that occur in the reserve.

Type Biome Altitude Important plant

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species

8 B / C 1 East Himalayan Sub-tropical Broad-leaf Hill Forests.

1000 – 2000 m

Schima, Macaranga, Sapium, Castanorsis, Eugenia, Alnus, Engelhardtia etc. mixed with species of Clerodendron, Baliospermum and Emblica

12 C 3 East Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests

2000 – 3000 m

Tsuga, Acer, Michelia, Juglans, Rhododendrons, Ilex etc. associated with Rosa, Rubus, Berberis and Viburnum

13 C 6 East Himalayan Mixed Coniferous Forests

2700 – 3400 m

Abies, Acer, Juniperous, Picea with taller varieties of Rhododendrons and smaller bamboo Arundinaria spp.

14 C 2 East Himalayan Sub-Alpine Birch / Fir / Rhododendron Forests

3000 m and above

Abies, Juniperous, Betula with dwarf Rhododendrons, Rubus, Viburnum etc.

15 C 2 Moist Alpine Serub Forests

3500 m and above

Few stunted Rhododendrons , Juniperous prostata, Juniperous indica, Salix,

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Berberies, Rosa and Lonicera

15 C 3 Alpine Forests 4000 m and above

The vegetation in this zone is scattered thorny scrubs, often barren land and alpine meadows with predominantly grasses. Berberies, Kobresia hookeri, Kobresia nepalensis, Juncus spp., Poa spp., Rheum australe etc. are found in this zone.

• The Khangchendzonga mountain system encompasses unique

environmental and cultural charateristics, which include,

(i) home to endangered bi-diversity elements; (ii) outstanding diversity of vegetation; and (iii) fascinating assemblage of ethnic groups who have maintained

their traditional identies, cultures and religious practices. • Khangchendzonga Mountain Range lies in the borders of Tibet

(China), Nepal and India. Khangchendzonga Mountain Range is also justly renowned for its high peaks. There are numerous mountains, peaks, lakes and extensive glaciers, making it a significant watershed area in all three countries. This presents a unique opportunity for joint collaboration for trans-boundary conservation of biodiversity resources. Owing to immense biodiversity importance, the Khangchendzonga landscape issue has been highlighted as one of the top priorities in a recent interactive meeting, in Sikkim of allied departments (Badola et al., 2006).

• KBR harbours many endangered and endemic species of flora.

Several factors have threatened many of them. At the same time, conservation status of some species has been questioned. For

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example, recently, one of earlier considered endangered specis, Rhododendron maddenii, which is endemic to eastern Himalaya, is explored in the boundary of KBR for its new, huge and gregarious population amounting an estimation over 0.14 million plants per 10 hectare (Badola and Pradhan, 2010). Such extensive scientific researches suggest that the Sikkim, specifically, KBR is still largely un-explored for population studies of many of the endemic and thereatened plant species.

• Many of the threatened medicinal wild plants listed by Gurung (2002)

for Sikkim showed their presence in KBR, which have commercial value such as, Aconitum ferox, Aconitum heterophyllum, Bergenia ciliata, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Nardostachys jatamansi, Cordyceps sinensis, Panax pseudoginseng, Swertia chirayita, Astilbe rivularis, Taxus baccata, Dioscorea bulbifera, Heracleum wallichii, Allium wallichii, Zanthoxylum spp., Podophyllum hexandrum, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Rhododendron anthopogan, Juniperus recurva and Juniperus macropoda. Some of the endangered medicinal plants found in KBR, A. heterophyllum, D. hatagirea, N. jatamansi, P. hexandrum, P. kurrooa, S. chirayita, etc. have been prioritized for immediate conservation through ex-situ cultivation in an international forum (Badola and Pal, 2002) and looked as potential commercial resource for agrobiodiversity practices in north-east India (Badola, 2009). Amongst the edible fruits are, Choerospondias axillaries, Spondias mangifera, Juglans regia, Machilus edulis while tubers of Dioscorea deltoidea, Dioscorea pentaphylla, Arisaema spp. are eaten by the locals and the leaves , barks and roots of Cinnamonom tamala are used as spices, and the flowers of Oroxylum indicum, flowers and young leaves of Urtica parviflora and shoots of bamboos, Dendrocalamus and Arundinaria spp. are used as vegetables.

• Important plant species in difference forest types in the sub-tropical

zone in the reserve: Sub-tropical evergreen to semi-evergreen forests characterized by Schima wallichii, Terminalia tomentosa, Engelhardtias spicata, Duabanga grandiflora, Macaranga pustulata, Castanospsis indica, Betula alnoides, and Rhododondron arboreum. Schima wallichii, Castanopsis tribuloides forests are characterized by

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the same species in association with Castanopsis hystrix, Quercus glauca, Michelia champaca, Rhododendron arboreum and Lyonia ovalifolia. The Castanopsis tribuloides – Castanopsis hystrix type, a characterstic forest of the Eastern Himalayas is comprised of the same species in association with Rhododendron arboreum and Lyonia ovalifolia. The temperate Zone is characterized by Oak-Laurel forest, Quercus lamellosa forests, Quercus semecarpifolia forests, mixed broad-leaf forests and Lithocarpus pachyphylla forests with the characteristic species of Quercus glauca, Michelia excelsa, Quercus lamellose, Castanopsis tribuloides, Machilus spp., Quercus lineata, Quercus semecarpifolia, Rhododendron arboreum, Lyonia ovalifolia, Arundinaria maling, Tuga dumosa, Abies spectabilis, Betula utilis, Acer spp, Corylus ferox, Hydrangea heteromala, Rhododendron grande and Mangnolia campbelli. The Sub-alpine zone is characterized by different types of forests such as Tsuga demosa - Abies spectabilis forest, Albies spectabilis forests, Larix griffithiana forests, Juniperus indica forests, Rhododendron forests, Betula utilis forests in association with Juniperus recurva, Magnolia campbellii, Salix sikkimensis, Rhododendron campanulatum, Rhododendron arboreum, Rhododendron hogdsonii, Rhododendron falconeri, Rhododendron barbatum and Salix spp. The Alpine zone is characterized by Scrub forest and Alpine pasture or meadow, which harbour Rhododendron anthopogon, Rhododendron lepidotum, Rhododendron setosum, Juniperus squamata and Berberis spp.. in the Alpine Scrub forets; while, the Alpine Pasture or Meadow harbours the species of Juncus effusus, Poa himalayana, Poa annua, Kabresia nepalensis, Kobresia hookeri, Carex nigra, Phleum alpinum, Kobresia royelii and Selinium sp. (Sir Joseph Hooker, 1848–49; W.W. Smith & G.H. Cave, 1909; Douglas W. Freshfield, 1899; J.C. White, CIE, 1891 & 1902).

• Khangchendzona Biosphere Reserve is perhaps the largest trans-

boundary wildlife protected area in the Himalayan belt in India harbouring many Scheduled –I high altitude species of animals and birds; the most of them are listed for priority conservation by IUCN. The trans-boundary areas serve as wildlife corridor for some species such as Bharal Pseudois nayuar, Great Tibetan Sheep Ovis ammon

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hodgsoni, Tibetan Wolf Canis lupus chanco, Tibetan Wild Ass or Kiang Equus kiang, Tibetan Gazelle Procapra picticuadata, Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster, Snow Leopard Uncia uncia, Himalayan Monal Pheasant Lophophorus impejanus, Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus, Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra, Tibetan Snow Cock Tetraogallus tibetanus, Himalayan Snow Cock Tetraogallus himalayensis. The high altitude lakes of the reserve serve as stop-over sites and breeding grounds for many of the migratory waterfowls such as Black-necked Crane, Grus nigricollis, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Eastern Goosander Mergus merganser orientalis, Ibisbill Ibidorhincha struthersii, Pochard Aythya fuligula, Brahminy Duck Tadorna ferruginea, Pintail Annas acuta, Gadwall Anas strepera, Teal Annas crecca, Coot Porphyrio porphyrio Shoveller Anas clypeata, Scoup Duck Aythya marila, Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta, Grebe Podiceps nigricollis etc.

• The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve complex has been

identified as biggest Important Bird Area (IBA) in Sikkim, which supports over 212 bird species of conservation concern including Globally threatened species – 7; Biome restricted species – 120 (biome 5- Eurasian High Montane Alpine and Tibetan: 24 spp; biome 7 – Sino- Himalayan Temperate Forests: 67 spp; biome 8 – Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forests: 26 spp; biome 9- Indo-Chinese Tropical Moist Forests: 3 spp).

• KBR forms an extensive wildlife area along the Himalayan belt and it

perhaps supports largest population of Snow Leopard Uncia uncia, Bharal or Blue Sheep Pseudosis nayuar, Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster, Himalaytan Tahr Hermitragus jemlahicus, all scheduled I to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, in India.

• KBR drainages harbour altogether 48 species of fish belonging to 9

families under 23 genera. Some of the threatened and endangered from among the zoogeographical trend of 48 species recorded in the Teesta and the Rangit rivers and their tributaries originating from the reserve are Golden Masheer Toputitora, Schizothorax richardsonii, Schizopyge progastus, Acrossocheilus hexagonolepis, Glyptothorax

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spp. Labeo spp. Barilius semiplotus, Clupisoma bhandarii and Anguilla bengalensis.

• Trans-Himalaya and Central Himalaya are two of the 23 Bio-

geographic provinces in India as identified by Rodgers and Panwar (1988) for priority conservation and the KBR being representative of these provinces has the following conservation significances:

(i) protect Khangchendzonga Mountain eco-system by

collaborating jointly with neighbouring countries like Nepal and Tibet (China);

(ii) safeguard ethnic communities especially the only aborigin

and already proposed primitive tribe LEPCHAS (see: Pradhan and Badola, 2008; Badola and Pradhan, 2008), and rare endemic fauna and flora;

(iii) protect Khangchendzonga natural resources-mountains, peaks,

lakes and glaciers; and

(iv) Protect different ecological biomes from sub-tropical and temperate to moist evergreen forests to alpine pastures and their biological values.

• The reserve also supports populations of economically important

plants such as Artocarpus lakoocha (fruit) Juglans regia ( timber & fruit), Machilus edulis (timber & fruit), Choerospondias axillaris (timber & fruit), Spondias mangifera (fruit) Quercus sp.(Timber), Castanopsis sp. (timber), Arundinaria maling (vegetable), Michelia champaca (Timber), Michelia excelsa (timber), Terminalia tomentosa (timber),Terminalia myriocarpa ( timber), Duabanga grandiflora (timber), Betula alnoides (timber), Aconitum sp. (medicinal), Swertia chirayita (medicinal), Panax pseudoginseng (medicinal), Dactylorhiza hatagirea (medicinal), Nardostachys jatamansi (medicinal & incense), Astilbe rivularis (medicinal), Taxus baccata (medicinal), Picrorhiza kurrooa (medicinal), Rhododendron anthopogon (incense), Juniperus

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recurva (incense), Juniperus marcopoda (incense), Cordyceps sinensis (medicinal).

• Out of a large number of medicinal plants, Pradhan and Badola

(2008) have assessed over 118 species of Ethnomedicinal utility in Dzongu valley of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve and indicated high potential of entrepreneurship for pharmaceutical sectors and possibilities of finding noble molecules to the world.

• Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve occupies 44.85%, nearly half of

the recorded forest lands of all biomes in Sikkim state, thus the bio-diversity resources of the State which has a total geographical area of 709600 hectares only, is taken into account for KBR. According to the Gazetteer of Sikkim (Risley, 1894; reprinted 1989) and records of the State Government of Sikkim, the comparative analysis of biodiversity resources in respect of flora & fauna only stands as under:

Biodiversity resources of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve /Sikkim

Resources Estimated

number % in terms of country’s

Mammals 144 species 36% of c 400 sp. Found in India

Birds 550 species 30% of total bird species found in Indian Sub-continentent including Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

Butterflies 650 species 46% of c 1400 sp. Found in India

Moths 2000 + species Reptiles 28 species Amphibians 35 species Fishes 48 species ( 9

families, 23 genera)

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Plants 7000 species Flowering plants 4000 species Rhododendrons 36 species Orchids 450 species 40% of c 1100 species

found in India and 9% of c 5000 species found in the whole world.

Ferns & fern allies

300 species

Primulas 36 to 40 species Conifers 9 species Medicinal Plants 524 species

• The following rare and threatened mammals are found in the

Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve:

(i) Rare - Clouded Leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, Spotted Linsang, Prionodon pardicolor.

(ii) Endangered – Snow Leopard Uncia uncia, Musk Deer Moschus

chrysogaster, Red Panda Aiurus fulgens fulgens, Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata, Serow Naemorhedus sumatraensis, Himalayan Tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus, Tibetan Antelope Pantholops hodgsonii, Tibetan Gazelle Procapra picticuadata, Nayan or Great Tibetan Sheep Ovis ammon hodgsonii, Golden Cat Catopuma temmincki, Yello-Throated Marten Martes flavigula.

(iii) Vulnerable - Bharal or Blue Sheep Pseudois nayuar, Tibetan

Wolf Canis lupus chanco, Himalayan Langur Presbytis entellus. Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis, Goral Naemorhedus goral, Common Leopard or Panther Panthera pardus, Barking Deer or Muntjak muntiacus muntjak, Himalayan Marmot Marmota himalayana, Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla, Woolly Hare Lepus oiostolus, Wild Dog Cuon alpinus , Himalayan Black Bear Ursus thibetanus, Common Otter

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Lutrogale perspicillata, Large Indian civet Viverra zibetha, Tibetan Fox Vulpes vulpes montana.

• Threatened birds in the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve include:

(i) The reported globally threatened birds (DFE & WM, BNHS & BI, 2005) of KBR include: Beer’s Pochard Aythya baeri; Pallas’s Fish Eagle Haliaetus leucoryphus; Lesser kelrel Falco naumanni; Black-breasted Parotbill Paradoxrnis flavirostris ; Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis ; White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri ; Black –browed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus cantater.

(ii) Other threatened birds of Khangchendzonga Biosphere

Reserve include:

a) Rare - Bearded Vulture Gypactus barbatus, Forest Eagle Owl Bubo nepalensis, Tibetan Eagle Owl Bubo bubo tibetanus, Grey Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratium.

b) Endangered – Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus, Monal

Pheasant Lophophorus impejanus, Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra, Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa, Sikkim Snow cock Tetraogallus tibetanus aquilonifer.

c) Vulnerable – Himalayan Vulture Gyps himalayansis, Sikkim

Bay Owl Phodilus badius, Himalayan Snow Cock Tetragallus himalayensis, Kaleej Pheasant Lophura leucomelana melanota, Commen Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola torqueola.

• Rare and threatened butterflies found in the reserve include:

Argynnis childerni, Argynnis hyperbius, Heliophorus barhma, Heliophorus androcles, Neptis hordona, Papilio clytia, Vanessa canace, Udaspes folus, Graphium sarpedon, Atrophaneura

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dasarada, etc. 4.3. “Provide an opportunity to explore and demonstrate

approaches to sustainable development on a regional scale." (Describe in general terms the potential of the area to serve as a pilot site for

promoting the sustainable development of its region (or “eco—region”)

• The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve with a landscape of exceptional natural beauty due to high mountains and peaks, lakes and glaciers, rivers and waterfalls and rich bio-diversity resources of high numbers of flowering plants, Himalayan flowers, orchids, rhododendrons, conifers, primulas, ferns, medicinal plants, bamboos and birds, butterflies and moths has a great potential for both adventure tourism and eco-tourism.

• The availability of three ethnic communities namely the Lepchas, the

aborigines and once forest dwellers with vast herbal knowledge, the Bhutias and the Nepalese inhabiting in the transition zone areas outside Buffer Zones and their traditional knowledge and practices pertaining to local uses and conservation of biological resources coupled with their ethnic cultures and customs provide an unique opportunity for eco-tourism and village tourism.

• There is increased tourist flow to the reserve over the years and

considering the potentiality of the reserve, there is an ample scope for exploration of the montane eco-system, thereby promoting sustainable development of the ethnic communities who can be resourceful locals to host the eco-tourism programs and the local youths may act as tourist guides.

• The reserve has high concentration of Himalayan flowers, orchids,

rhododendrons, medicinal plants and birds and butterflies. They need to be protected and conserved for future human use in a sustainable and a scientific manner to mitigate biotic pressure on the reserve. This provides greater opportunities for all concerned to explore and demonstrate various approaches not only in regional but also in global scale where sustainable development is concerned.

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4.4. "Have an appropriate size to serve the three functions of

biosphere reserves"

(This refers more particularly to (a) the surface area required to meet the long term

conservation objectives of the core are(s) and the buffer Zones(s) and (b) the

availability of areas suitable for working with local communities in testing out and

demonstrating sustainable uses of natural resources)

• The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve extends over an area of

2,931.12 Km2 from the north to the south and west districts of the State with a core area of 1784 Km2 (60.86%) already designated as Khangchendzonga (High Altitude) National Park (KNP), a notified wildlife protected area by the State Government of Sikkim. While comparing the size of the Khangchendzonga National Park (core area of KBR) with other counterparts in the Indian Himalayan region (Rawal and Dhar, 2001) the size of KNP is significantly larger than the mean size of Protected Areas in Indian Himalayan Zone (i.e. 312 Km2) or in the country (i.e. 270 Km2). Therefore, on size consideration, KBR has sufficiently large core zone to ensure in situ conservation to population and habitats of biota, especially to large key stone species such as top carnivores and large herbivores and furgivores.

• The Core Zone or the Khangchendzonga National Park (1784 Km2)

has been further been projected to have speecial conservation areas for their high biological resource value, with a purpose to target species and/or biota specific consrvation and management and studies, viz., Arelungchok Musk Deer Conservation area (27 Km2; 1.51% of the total area of KNP), Yongzokdrak Blue Sheep Conservation area (56 Km2; 3.14 % of the total area of KNP), Lampokhri Medicinal Plants Conservation area (15 Km2; 0.84% of the total area of KNP), and Singalila Eco-tourism Promotion area comprising of 04 identified trekking routes and 27 designated camping sites.

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• The Core Zone is further sub-zoned in the northern and eastern part of the reserve depending on the availability of resource values such as Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Himalayan Tahr, Blue Sheep, Red Panda and high altitude pheasants such as Monal, Satyra Tragopan and Blood Pheasants, etc.

• There are four Buffer Zones to the extrent of 836 sq. kms.

(28.52%) in total area and together with the Core Zone and a newly designated transition zone, the reserve has been designated by the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment & Forests for the in-situ conservation of genetic resources, restoration of degraded eco-systems, promotion of research and environmental matters including training activities and promotion of local peoples’ participation in the management programmes. The biosphere reseve authorities manage and control various activities in the core, buffer zones and the transition zones.

• Buffer Zones comprise of Lhonak Valley Reserve Forest in Buffer

Zone I, Denga and Bensoi Reserve Forests in Buffer Zone II, portion of Tholung Reserve Forest in Buffer Zone II and the Buffer Zone IV includes portions of Reserve Forests of Hee, Taryang, Chhangey, Khechopalri, Yuksom, Lapdang and Karchi. Buffer Zone IV borders Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary in the South District and Barsey Wildlife Sanctuary in the West District.

• A recently notified Transition Zone, comprising of 44 villages

distributed in the periphery of the buffer zone of the Biosphere Reserve, located in north, west and south districts of Sikkim, covering 311.20 Km2 (10.62% of KBR). The transition zone is further sub-zoned in to three parts, viz. Part -I (Area: 28.58 Km2); Part-II (Area: 111.15 Km2), and Part-III (Area: 171.47 Km2). The Transition zone, as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, is notified to address the activities related protection, development, maintenance and research in Biosphere Reserves in India (2007), as outermost part of the reserve.

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• The Singalila Eco-tourism Promotion area, is another specified focused area for eco-tourism activities, covers 30 sq. Km2 (Approx.) has the following 04 designated nature trails and 27 camping sites, permitted for the purpose:

Trek

No.

Trek Name &

entry-exit points

Designated nature trails in

forest areas

Designated

camping sites

in forest areas

1 Khangchendzonga Base Camp Trek Entry Point:

Yuksom

Exit Point: Yuksom

60 km x 50 m

= 3 Km2

Existing nature trail starting

from Yuksom and passing

sequentially through Sarchen,

Bakhim, Tshoka, Phedang,

Dzongri, Doring Taar,

Chourigang, Kokchurung,

Thangsing and Lamune and

back

Sarchen, Bakhim,

Tshoka, Phedang,

Dzongri, Doring

Taar, Chourigang,

Kokchurung,

Thangsing and

Lamune

2 Yambong- Singalila Trek

Entry Point: Nambu

Exit Point: Yuksom

and vice versa

128 km x 50m

= 6.40 Km2

Only day treks are permitted

to Dzongri Top, Lampokhri

(Lam

Tsho), Sungmoteng Tsho

(Samiti Lake) upto Teen Kune

Pokhri, Tshoka to

Gunsa/Jamlingang and from

Kokchurung to Phedang (lower

route)

The nature trail from Rimbi to

Dechenphuk (Neytham) and

from Chongri passing

sequentially through

Nayapatal, Lower Yambong,

Upper Yambong, Daphey

bheer, Gomathang, Pangding,

Chonrigang and then to

Dzongri where it joins the

Khangchendzonga Base Camp

Dechenphuk

(Neytham),

Nayapatal, Lower

Yambong, Upper

Yambong

Gomathang,

Pangding.

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trek. Only day treks are

permitted to Lachmi Pokhari.

3 Everest – Singalila Trek Entry Point : Hee

Bermoik, Hilley,

Soreng.

Exit Point: Uttarey,

Nambu or Yuksom

and vice versa.

224 km x 50 m

= 11.20 Km2

The nature trail from Hee

Bermoik and passing

sequentially through Samma

Taar, Barsey, Jorbotey,

Kalijhaar, Phalut,

Chewabhanjyang, Chitrey, and

then to Dechenphuk

(Neytham) where it joins the

Yambong – Singalila trek or

drop down to Uttarey village.

Hilley, Samma

Taar, Barsey,

Jorbotey,

Kalijhaar, Phalut,

Chewabhanjyang,

Chitrey.

4 Arrelungchok – Dzongri Trek

Entry Point:

Labdang

Exit Point: Yuksom

192 km x 50m

= 9.60 Km2

The nature trail from Labdang

and passing sequentially

through Kasturi Urar, Khola

Urar/Chamrey and then to

Thansing where it joins the

Khangchendzonga Base Camp

trek. This trek passes through

the wildlife sensitive habitats

namely the Arreylungchok

Musk Deer Conservation Zone

and the Lampokhri Medicinal

Plants Conservation Zone.

Pack animals (horses, dzos

and yaks) are not permitted

on this trek. Lighting fire or

cooking food is permitted only

at the designated campsites.

Kasturi Urar

(above Labdang),

Khola Urar/

Chamrey

• The core zone is managed in perpetuity for long –term conservation

and protection purpose only while the buffer zones are put under multiple use bases; however, the transition zone is notified to allow eco-development programs beneficial to the transition zone village people. In transition zone, there are 35,757 people representing 8,353 households, living in 44 villages.

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• The reserve area is sufficient to serve the three functions of the

Biosphere reserve, i.e., conservation, development and research, training and monitoring.

4.5. Through appropriate zonation:

“(a) a legellaly constituted core area or areas devoted to long term protection, according to the conservation , objectives of the biosphere reserve, and of sufficient size to meet these objectives"

(Describe the core area (s) briefly, indicating their legal status, their size, the main

conservator objectives)

• Khangchendzonga (High Altitude) National Park encompassing a total

area of 1784 Km2 (60.86%) is the Core Zone of the Khangcehdnzonga Biosphere Reserve. Situated within the latitude 27o 15’ and 27o 55’ North and longitude 88o 02’ and 88o 38’ East, it is a legally protected area under the provision of the Central Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 notified by the State Government of Sikkim in the Department of Forest, Environment & Wildlfie Management vide Notification No.1/KNP (WL)/F/27 dated the 19th May of 1997. Similarly, there are some specific areas within core zone of KBR to regulate the increasing adventure tourism in the region, namely,

(a) Arreylungchok Musk Deer Conservation area (area 27 Km2

i.e. 1.51% of KNP), for conservation of the main flagship species, the Musk Deer;

(b) Yongzokdrak Blue Sheep Conservation area (area 56 Km2 i.e.3.14% of KNP), for conservation of the main flagship species, the Blue Sheep;

(c) Lampokhri Medicinal Plants Conservation are (area 15 Km2 i.e. 0.84% of KNP), for conservation of a variety of threatened and endangered medicinal plants have been designated according to the availability of biological resource values for their conservation and protection; and

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(d) Singalila Eco-tourism Promotion area with 04 idnetified trekking routes and 27 designated camping sites covering, 30 Km2 (approx.).

• The Core Zone, the Khangchendzonga Natiional Park is completely

protected and it has also been proposed for project Snow Leopard for conservation of the apex predator, the Snow Leopard Uncia uncia in the biological pyramid and its ecosystem as a whole. The conservation objectives of the Cores are to protect and conserve floristic and faunal wealth of the area in perpetuity for scientific, economic, asthetic, cultural and ecological purposes and to conduct research on endemic flora and fauna, develop their habitats and also to take measures for ecological balance. The core zone is a large tract of land sufficiently available to meet the objectives in terms of conservation.

• A small village of 30 acres (12 hectares) allotted to 10 families of

Thomopas (Tibetan Tribal Communities) by the then Government of Monarch during 1967, falls within the Core Zone at Tsoka (now Tsoka village) in West District. It was included in the Core as part of the eco-sysytems but now this is being relocated outside the reserve to keep the core as Sanctum Sanctorum and free of any kind of biotic interferences. The population of Thomopas is around 89-90 individuals during 2005.

• The Core Zone lying in the vertical sweep of about 7350m (from a

low of 1220 m to the high of 8586 m) harbour high diversity of floral and faunal wealth found in different altitudinal habitat zones such as East Himalayan Sub-tropical Hill Forest, East Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests, East Himalayan Mixed Coniferous Forests, East Himalayan Sub-alpine Birch/Fir/Rhododendron Forests, Moist Alpine Scrub Forests, Alpine Forests, Pastures and Meadows that some of the species are rare, threatened, endangered and endemic to Eastern Himalayas. The core provides a large safe natural site for sustenance of highly endangered Himalayan biodiversity elements of schedule I and II among the mammals, birds, inscets and amphibians, the accounts of which have been given in the preceedidng paragraphs.

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Annexure –IV A

28

Annexure –IV B

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“(b) a buffer zone or zones clearly identified surrounding or contiguous to the core area or areas, where only activities compatible with the conservation objectives can take place….

(Describe briefly the buffer zone (s), their legal status, their size and the activities, which are

ongoing and planned there).

There are four Buffer Zones surrounding the Core Zone in the north, east and south of the Reserve and they occupy a total area of 835.92 Km2, and accordingly notified by the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment & Forests vide letter No. J-22016/76/91 – BR dated the 7th of February 2000, and finally notified, vide No. 204/KNP-KBR/WL/Forests/2009, dated 24/ 05 /2010. The discription of Buffer Zones are as under:

Buffer Zone

Tortal Area (Km2)

Situation Administrative Division

I 154.48 Lat. 27º45’ and 27º57’ North Long. 88º20’ and 88º34’ East

North

II 55.29 Lat. 27º 32’ and 27º45’ North Long. 88º30’ and 88º40’ East

North

III 29.37 Lat. 27º35’ and 27º40’ North Long. 88º25’ and 88º30’ East

North

IV 596.78 Lat. 27º 15’ and 27º 36’ North Long. 88º02’ and 88º30’ East

South-West

Total

835.92 Km2

• All the four Buffer Zones are situated at different altitudinal zones

and represent the different diversities of habitats, species, communities and eco-systems. Buffer Zones and the associated reserved forests are as under:

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Buffer Zone Reserved Forests

I Portion of Muguthang Reserved Forests comprising of Trans-Himalayan Zone (cold desert area) and part of catchment area of Lhonak Chu (river), one of the main tributaries of Tista River.

II Portion of Bensoi, Denga and Ningla Reserved Forests in the western bank of Tista River in the Chungthang Valley.

III Portion of Tholung Reserved Forests in the upper Dzongu Watershed which drains out Tholung Chu (river), one of the tributaries of Tista river.

IV Portion of Hee, Taryang, Chhangey, Khechopalri, Yuksom, Lapdang and Karchi Reserved Forests. They are the catchment areas of Ringyong, Monmu, Kayam, Relli, Prek, Rimbi and Kalej rivers, main tributaries of Rangit river.

“(c) an outer transition area where sustainable resource management practices are promoted and developed”

(The Seville “Strategy gave increased emphasis to the transition area since this is

the area where the key 6 issues on environment and development of a given region

are to be addressed. The transition area is by definition not delimited in space, but

rather is changing in size according to the problems that arise over time. Describe

briefly the transition area as envisaged at the time of nomination, the types of

questions to be addressed there in the near and the longer terms. The size should

be given only as an indication).

• The forests in the multiple use zones are of different types and

support large number of species of both floral and faunal wealth. They are also protected and not opened to exploitation now but put under various management programs such as forestry, tourism and restoration while the villages outside the buffer zones in recently

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notified Transition zone (311.20 Km2) is extended with social welfare and community development schemes. The transition zone has 44 villages located in the immediate vicinity outside the Buffer Zones, which include 8,353 households totalling the population of 35,757 people. The population of transition zone represents three ethnic communities namely Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalese, which have direct or indirect dependency on the adjoining buffer zones. The transition zone has three parts, identified as per the villages need of involving villages to meet out the objectives, viz. (i) Transition zone Part I (28.58 Km2), (ii) Transition zone Part II (111.15 Km2), and (iii)Transition zone Part III (171.47 Km2).

• The transition zone has been identified and notificed in order to cover

all the fringe villages which have direct or indirect dependency on the adjoining buffer zones. In order to effectively manage the KBR, participation of the people is a must, by involving them from the forest fringe villages in various forestry activities, including, seasonal works, eco-tourism, protection and conservation of natural resources, which may bring the sense of ownership among the people. As well, in majority of the places within these areas the private lands and forest lands are so closely positioned, i.e. almost intermixing, thus, the chances of encroachment of forest areas are extremely high. Consequently, the management of the Biosphere Reserve with a limited and handful of forest frontline staff would become quite difficult without involving the people of the fringe villages. Therefore, by declaring a transition zone, the concept of co-existence of nature and human being while respecting the needs of each other would be fulfilled.

4.6. Organizational arrangements should be provided for the

involvement and participation of a suitable range of inter alia public authorities, local communities and private interests in the design and the carrying out of the functions of a biosphere reserve.” (Are such arrangements in place or foreseen)

• KBR is a property of the Governments. Government of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests and Government of Sikkim, Department of

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Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management are the custodians and main functionaries of the reserve at the National level and State Level respectively.

• G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development

(GBPIHED), Sikkim Unit, Pangthang-Gangtok is the nodal agency for KBR for the research and allied programs. The institute also carries out researches on various aspects of biological diversity in KBR under their Biodiversity and Conservatio Management theme/programme.

• Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Eco-development

Committees (EDCs) are also part of the functionaries at the village level. Non-Governmental Organizations, area Gram Panchayats and local communities are also the stakeholders in various management and development programs.

• Project Level Implementation Committee consisting of Director,

Divisional Forest Officers, Range Officers, representative officers of allied departments organize meetings every year with the local bodies of the village level and discuss about plans and proposals, policies and programs and other various issues for sustainable development of the reserve first before these are placed before the State Level KBR Committee and National Level Committee for sanction.

• The Adminstrial organization involving civil society for KBR has two

structures, viz. (i) Permanent field staff structure, and (ii) structure/composition of EDCs (Ecodevelopment committees). (i) Permanent field staff structure- Keeping in mind the convenience and effective reserve management, reorganisation of Khangchendzonga National Park on the Administrative set-up is developed targeting needs of responsibilities to be delegated to the lower level frontline staff. The administrative setup for the efficient, effective and meaningful management in future, the staffing pattern right from Range Office (RO)/ Wildlife Warden to the Forest Guard (FG) level deputed, posted or transferred, are given in the following Flow Chart:

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(ii) Structure/composition of EDCs (Eco-Development Committees)- The following chart depicts the structure and composition of EDs for KBR:

• Eco-Development Committee Members (One member of every household of respective village is enrolled as EDC members). Each EDC comprises of 10 to 12 Executive members, as the part of elected body. It should be noted that all the executive members are elected by the respective villagers after every two years and also nominate

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two Panchayat members from Gram Panchyat Unit in each EDC. The EDCs formed under Transition zone of KBR are listed out as follows:

List of Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) in the proposed transition zone of KBR:

SL.NO NAME OF EDCs

RANGE/BEAT

1. YUKSOM RANGE: WEST SIKKIM

1 TSHOKA Yuksam 2 KYONGTEY - do - 3 CHUNG - do - 4 HUNGRY Yuksam 5 NEESA Tashiding 6 KONGRI-NAKU - do - 7 LABDANG - do - 8 KARJEE Tashiding 9 CHOWRI Yuksam

10 POKHARI-MANGNAM Tashiding

2. CHUNGTHANG RANGE: NORTH SIKKIM

11 THENG-CHUNGTHANG Chungthang

12 RABOM-LACHEN Lachen 13 BOP-CHUNGTHANG Chungthang

3. DZONGU RANGE: NORTH SIKKIM

14 LEEK Dzongu 15 SAKYONG - do - 16 PENTONG - do - 17 LINGYA - do - 18 TINGVONG - do - 19 SAFFU - do - 20 SHIPGYER - do -

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Total EDCs: 20

• Action plans are formulated for implementation based on the

proiority and demands of the local bodies and villagers. Transparancies are maintained with the involvement of all for successful implementation of all programs and yielding good results.

4.7. Mechanisms for implementation (This refers to the administrative mechanisms, which often are determined at the national

level.)

• The administrative set up in the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is under the Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department of the State Government of Sikkim. There are two Khangchendzonga National Park Divisions under the Wildlife Sector, each in North and West Districts of State to manage the Reserve at the field level. They are designated as Divisional Forest officers (KNP/KBR) who are assisted by one Assistant Conservator of Forest at Yuksom, three Range officers posted at three Ranges, two in North and one in West Districts. Block Officers and Beat Officers, all foresters at the lower levels, again support ranges. The entire set - up up to the Divisional level is under the charge of the Joint Director (National Park & BR ) at the Circle level which is again under the over all Wildlife Sector headed by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State Forest, Env. & Wildlife Management Department of the Government of Sikkim , the main caretaker of its overall programs.

• The Management of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in a

participatory manner is described under the following heads:

Activities related to safeguarding the threatened Biodiversity values: Protection is the primary aspect of management of the KBR. The existing frontline staffs carry it out. Anti-poaching operations such as trap demolition and patrolling in the poaching prone areas are conducted periodically. High altitude expeditions of senior officers

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and wildlife organizations are also organized from time to time with a view to studying the current status of the highlands as an impact caused by eco-tourism, trekking, mountaineering, grazing, etc. and the solutions to incorporate in the management plans. Mechanism of participation of the stakeholders in planning process: The traditions of conserving forest and wildlife is already a part of the culture of the Sikkimese people, so the Biosphere Reserve and the people’s relationship gradually improved as rights of access to local resource of the buffer areas and the traditional way of life were secured. The local communities are more conscious and committed to the cause of conservation more and more. At the same time, they are seeking greater involvement in the decision processes of KBR management. Experience suggests that successful involvement and empowerment of local communities will make conservation more sustainable and cost effective. Mechanism of participation: Management of the BR with people’s participation is an approach, which requires changes in the mindset of the officials, field level functionaries and people participating in joint bio-resource management concept. After constitution of Eco-development committees with village level micro planning exercised by using PRA tools of each EDC was carried out in detail with the help of local NGOs, such as, Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee (KCC), Yuksom west Sikkim and Motanchi Lom Aal Shezum (MLAS), Dzongu of North Sikkim. Strategy for People's Participation: The following strategies are being adopted to achieve the objectives of institution building with regard to people's participation,

(a) Motivate and train up the field personnel at every level towards the process of participatory management.

(b) Carry out Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) in the fringe villages as the first step towards formation of Eco-Development Committees.

(c) Constitute/reconstitute the eco-development committees on

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the basis of the Government resolution and complete the process of registration.

(d) Initiate the process of micro level planning through participatory rural appraisal and village level participatory planning exercise by involving the allied Government Departments and all stake holders of the Biosphere Reserve.

(e) Complete the micro-plans for each Eco-Development Committee on the basis of budgetary provisions for a period of 5 years.

(f) Build up a common platform involving all other Government and Non-Government Agencies and stake holders, for implementation of the micro plans.

(g) To encourage creation of a corpus fund for each EDC, in order to ensure sustenance of EDC activities and EDC involvement in participatory planning process even in the absence of substantial government funding.

Does the proposed biosphere reserve have, (a) mechanisms to manage human use and activities in the buffer

zone or zones?

• State Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Department has elaborate management work plans to orchestrate various activities within the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve. The mechanism to carry out the programs as per the work plan lies mainly with the sustainability of KBR taking the human dimensions and resources in its fold.

(b) a management plan or policy for the area as a biosphere

reserve?

• The Management Plan for the core zone, Khangchendzonga National Park is already prepared. Whereas, the long term Management Plan of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is under preparation and shortly be available for implementation. All developmental programs in the field are carried out as per the Management Action Plan which is drafted annually and got

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sanctioned from the Centre and the State Governments before implementation.

(c ) a designated authority or mechanism to implement this policy

or plan?

• The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is exclusively managed by the State Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim. Field Officers of the level of Divisional Forest Officers who are assisted by Range Officers and Block Officers are responsible to implement all sustainable developmental programs in the field while senior officers of the department are responsible for monitoring of the field programs and formulating policies, rules and regulations periodically.

(d) programmes for "research, monitoring, education and training?

(Describe briefly research activities, monitoring (ongoing or planned) as well as

education and training activities)

• The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is a recent set-up as a result research programes are relatively fewer in number. Research Wing of the Wildlife Sector of the Department under the State Government, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (Sikkim Unit; Government of India), and Botanical Survey of India (Government of India), etc are leading institutes based at Sikkim, and are associated with KBR Research programs. In addition, in recent years, some studies are underway in the KBR by few outside organizations, such as Wildlife Institute of India.

• The reserve and associated management authorities runs

continuous program under education and training; besides, GBPIHED (Sikkim) has been conducting periodical interactive and consultation workshops for different stakeholders at different strategic places for KBR (Badola et al., 2007, etc), mostly in joint collaboration with the KBR secretariat of the FEWMD, Government of Sikkim.

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• The State Level KBR Committee does monitoring and the National

MAB Committee as and when required.

• Following are some of the important planned, on-going research and monitoring activities in KBR carried out by state based organizations and/or by the efforts of outside organizations:

(a) Response assessment and processing of knowledge base

to serve long term management and use of biodiversity in Himalaya-focus on Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (Sikkim)-on-going in-house project of GBPIHED (Sikkim unit; the nodal organisation for KBR)

(b) Medicinal plants resources, including ethnomedicinal aspects, in KBR : on-going and planned for extensive surveys (by GBPIHED (Sikkim unit)

(c) Habitat diversity and vegetation survey in west and north KBR, including floral and microfungal studies: On-going

(d) Monitoring land-use by Wildlife, livestock and human in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve- planned, yet to initiate

(e) Ecological study on pastoralism in the temperate and alpine forests in west and north KBR: On –going

(f) Wildlife population estimation survey: On-going

(g) Habitat ecology of Snow Leopard and its prey species : on-goign

(h) Habitat ecology of Red Panda, Musk Deer and Himalayan Tahr: initiated/Planned.

(i) Ecological studies of high altitude Amphibians in KNP- initiated.

(j) Birds of the KBR: On-going.

(k) Butterflies of the KBR: Planned.

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5. ENDORSEMENTS 5.1 Signed by the authority/authorities in charge of the

management of the core area (s): Signature: (Nombi Bhutia) SFS Divisional Forest Officer (KNP/KBR), North & West Forest, Env. & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok

5.2 Signed by the authority/authorities in charge of the

management of the buffer zone(s):

Signature: (Nombi Bhutia) SFS Divisional Forest Officer (KNP/KBR), North & West Forest, Env. & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok

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5.3 Signed as appropriate by the National (or State or Provincial) administration responsible for the management of the core area(s) and the buffer zone

Signature: (J.B. Subba) SFS Joint Director of Forests, (KNP/KBR) Forest, Env. & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok

Signature: (N.T. Bhutia) IFS Chief Wildlife Warden, Forest, Env. & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok

Signature: (S.T. Lachungpa) IFS Principal Chief Conservator of Forest – cum - Secretary, Forest, Env. & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok

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5.4 Signed by the authority/authorities, elected local government, recognized authority or spokesperson representative of the communities located in the transition area.

Signature: Hon’ble Minister of Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management, Tourism, Mines, Minierals and Geology and Science & Technolgy Departments Government of Sikkim, Gangtok

5.5 Signed on behalf of the MAB National Committee or focal

point:

Signature: The Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, Paryavaran Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003

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PART II: DESCRIPTION

6. LATITUDES AND LONGITUDES OF AREA: (Indicate in degrees – minutes, seconds, Indicate coordinates of the central point of the

proposed biosphere reserves and if possible, the outer limits of the buffer zone)

• Latitude : 27°15’-27°57' North • Longitude: 88° 02’-88°40’ East

7. SIZE AND SPATIAL CONFIGURATION (see map):

7.1 Size of terrestrial Core Area(s): 1784.00 Km2 If appropriate, size of marine Core Area(s): Not applicable 7.2 Size of terrestrial Buffer Zone(s): 835.92 Km2 If appropriate, size of marine Buffer Zone(s): Not applicable 7.3 Approx. size of terrestrial Transition Area(s) (if

applicable): 311.20 Km2 If appropriate, approx. size of marine Transition Area(s): Not applicable 7.4 Brief rationale of this zonation (in terms of the various roles of

biosphere reserves) as it appears on the zonation map:

• The Core Zone (Khangchendzonga National Park) - except the areas designated for Eco-Tourism Promotion Zone is being maintained as sanctum sanctorum. It is a protected site for the conservation of the original native biodata where not all kinds of biotic interferences are permissible. The Core Zone performs as the intrinsic reservoir of the regional biodata and physiography reflecting its prime job of conservation where no normal forestry operation of any kind is permitted.

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• The Buffere Zones - I, II, III and IV have been set aside in the

surroundings of the Core Zone for the purpose of cooperative activities compatible with sound ecological practices for the benefit of the local people living in the fringe areas. Presently, the eco-friendly and sustainable development programs are the main focus of developments in these Buffer Zones ones where normal fortesty operations may take place in future.

• The Transition zone - as per the guidelines of the Ministry of

Environment and Forests, Government of India, on Protection, development, maintenance and research in Biosphere Reserves in India (2007) has the following aspects to deal with:

a. A Transition Zone is the outermost part of a Biosphere

Reserve.

b. The transition zone is usually not delimited one and is a zone of co-operation where conservation, knowledge and management skills are applied and uses are managed in harmony with the purpose of the Biosphere Reserve.

c. The transition zone includes settlements, crop lands, managed forests and area for intensive recreation, and other economic uses characteristic of the region.

d. As in the case of Buffer zone, in the transition zone also, experimental research areas are used for understanding the patterns and processes in the ecosystem. Modified or degraded landscapes are included as rehabilitation areas to restore the ecology in a way that it returns to sustainable productivity.

8. BIOGEOGRAPHICAL REGION:

(Indicate the generally accepted name of the bio-geographical region in which the proposed Biosphere Reserve is located. You may wish to refer to the map

of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves presenting 12 major ecosystem types.)

• The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve falls under Indo-Malayan Realm (after Takhtajan, 1960). Biogeographically (following Rodger

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and Panwar, 1988) it represents a part of Zone Trans- Himalaya and Province 2C (i.e. Central Himalaya) of Zone Himalaya in India.

• KBR is located in the State of Sikkim, India, bordering Nepal in the

West and Tibet (China) in the North-West. 9. LAND USE HISTORY:

(If known, give a brief summary of past/historical land use(s) of the main parts of the biosphere reserve)

• The land area falling under the KBR is generally mountaineous made

up of mountainsand peaks, glaciers, and lakes and snow-covered alpine zone in the northern and western parts and temperate forests towards the south. In between, these sub-alpine scrublands and woodlands are found. The KBR also harbours quite a number of alpine lakes, which are deeply venerated by the locals.

• The mighty towering Mount Khangchendzonga at 8586 metres, the

highest mountain in India and the third highest mountain in the world, is at once awe-inspiring and alluring. The stunning beauty and challenging height of Mt. Khangchendzonga have attracted mountaineers from all over the world, who have attempted several times to scale the peak. The first attempt was made 100 years ago by a British team in 1905; but Charles Evans Expedition successfully climbed it during May 1955 from Nepal side. The second successful climb was by the first Indian expedution led by Col. N. Kumar from Sikkim side during 1977. The Khandchendzonga Mountain Range has been the mountaineering ground for the mountaineers since the beginning of the 20th Century. At present, the State Government of Sikkim has banned the scaling of Khangchendzona and other peakes, for these being sacred to the local people. The Khangchendzonga Range is a sacred landscape where the locals worship mountains and peaks, lakes and rocks.

• The Khangchendzonmga National Park which forms the core zone of

the KBR was first notified with an area of 850 Km2 during August,

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1977 and then it extended and expanded to 1784 Km2 during May, 1997.

• The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is the adjunct of

Khangchendzonga National Park norified by the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment & Forest during February 2000. It has been proposed for enlistment in the tentative list of World Heritage Site, the document of which has been forwarded to the Ministry during December 2005.

• The Reserve is devoid of any roads and all means of communication

but by trekking to reach any part of the region. During early fifties the famous taxonomist Sir J.D. Hooker and biologist Dr. Earnst Schaefer had conducted expeditions for floral survey and Himalayan Tahr, respectively, in the Khangchendzonga area.

• Pastoralism was in practice by the inhabitants of fringe areas during

the earliest days, which used to be the key feature of the Reserve in the past. This activity had taken in its fold the major forest corridors in the temperate locations and a larger part of land in the alpine meadows. Since the State Government for some years has banned grazing in the Reserve Forest, the pastoralism is being removed from the KBR as well. Apart from this a few household within the Reserve practice farming at subsistence level. This farming activity includes mainly potato and oats as crops and does not cover more than 12 ha. of land areas.

10. HUMAN POPULATION OF BIOSPHERE RESERVE:

(Approximate number of people living within the proposed biosphere reserve) Permanently / seasonally

10.1. Core Area(s): Ten (10) family units with 88-90 tribal populations,

which are being relocated outside the reserve. 10.2. Buffer Zone(s): __-_____________/_____-______________

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10.3. Transition Area(s): Total families are 8,353 with a population of 35,757 people, as per recent notification.

10.4. Brief description of local communities living within or near

the proposed Biosphere Reserve:

(Indicate ethnic origin and composition, minorities etc., their main economic

activities (e.g. pastoralism) and the location of their main areas of concentration,

with reference to a map if necessary)

• The settlement within the Reserve comprises of 88-90 heads of 10

family units who have been there in a village called Tsoka since the year nineteen seventies, well before declaration of the national park. The only sustaining support for these inhabitants comes from pastoralism and tourism. The dairy products such as hardened cheese and butter from pastoralism are brought to the market further down especially during winters. Presently, the efforts are going on to evacuate them from core to some other place outside the core and buffer zone.

• There are no other settlements within the Biosphere Reserve except

the above Tibetan tribal communities. However, there are a total of 8,353 families with a population of 35,757 people living in 44 villages in the transition zone areas. These mostly represent and identified for many ethnic groups, viz,. Lepcha, Bhutia, Limbo, Sherpa, Tamang, Newar, Chettri, Rai, Gurung, Manger, Damai, Kami and Sarki. The inhabitants profess subsistence agriculture, with support coming in from animal husbandry, small trades and a few salaried jobs. The fringe villages are Lachen, Chungthang, Ship-Gyer, Sakyong-Pentong, Tingvong, Lachen Forest Block, Hee-Gyathang, Lingyza-Tholung, Lapdang, Lingthem, Gor, Darap, Maneybong –Sokpakha, Khechuperi, Dubdi, etc. The attached map of the revised and updated KBR in the beginning of this document shows complete transition zone. Whereas, the attached notification of KBR (as Annexure- XII) provide a compete list of villages with their total number of households, average family size and population as a Table at the end of Annexure XII.

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• About 75% of the households are considered to be at subsistence

level and they do not much depend on the Biosphere Reserve for their livelihood. The rural economy of the area is of fixed type and mostly depends on traditional farming, horticulture and animal husbandry, apart from a few openings through tourism. However, all these activities are low-key enterprises with ephemeral incomes. The KBR has least biotic interference.

10.5. Name (s) of nearest major town (s):

Yuksom and Gyalshing in the West District and Chungthang and Mangan in the North District, and Rabong in South district as closest towns to KBR.

10.6. Cultural significance:

(Briefly describe the proposed Biosphere Reserve’s importance in terms of cultural

values (religious, historical, political, social, ethnological )

• Khangchendzonga BR has high religious significance and cultural values. Sacred Mountains and Peaks: Mt. Khangcnendzonga is the guardian deity for the people of Sikkim and the local communities worship that. Some of the mountains and peaks are sacred, Mt. Khangchendzonga, Mt. Siniolchu, Mt. Pandim, Mt. Simvo, Kabur Peaks, Goecha Peak, Fork Peak have been declared sacred by the State Government and banned from scaling of these peaks. There are several caves, rocks, lakes, shrines, hot-springs notified as most sacred Buddhist places of worship in Sikkim. Pang Lhapsol Festival: It is an annual festival of ritual and dance dedicated to the worship of the Snow Range of Khangchendzonga during the early part of autumn. Dubdi Monastery: Dubdi means "The Retreat" and this functional monastery is the oldest one built in 1701 A.D.

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Tholung Monastery: Another oldest and one of the most venerated among monasteries, which houses numerous religious idols and other objects of worship, most of which are priceless because of their antiquity and is a place of great pilgrimage. The Lepcha tribes found in absolutely majority in the area are adept in jungle survival with considerable knowledge of the plants and animals as well as the physiographic set up (also see: Badola and Pradhan, 2008; Pradhan and Badola, 2008). Pemayangtse Monastery and Sanga Choling Monastery: They are the famous and most important monasteries of the Nyingmapa Sect built in the late seventeenth century where valuable Buddhist relics and scriptures have been preserved. Yuksom Palace Ruins: Seat of first monarch of Sikkim established in the late sixteenth century is in ruins and is now being preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India and has been declared as a monument. Rapdentse Palace Ruins: It was the second capital of Sikkim established in the late seventeenth century by the second Chogyal (King) of Sikkim; the ruins are now being preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India and have been declared as a monument. Four Great Caves: The four great caves of Sikkim hallowed as the traditional abodes of Saint Guru Rimpoche and Saint Lhatsun Chhempo and now the object of pilgrimage are The North Lhari Nying Phu or the Old Cave of God's Hill, The South Kahdo Sang Phu or Cave of the Occult Fairies, The East Pe Phu or Secret Cave and The West Dechhen Phu or Cave of Great Happiness. Sacred Rock: Yang-dzok Drak is one of the most venerated rock caves, which is held sacred for the Buddhists. State Government of Sikkim has declared it as a Sacred Rock, not to be defiled.

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Khechodpalri Lake: An important place of pilgrimage for fulfilling one's wishes. Traditionally natives consider this wetland as a sacred lake, also known as a Wish - Fulfilling Lake. In addition to the above, the local communities comprising of tribals and other backward classes have varied and unique cultural systems, traditions and customs which they have maintained since generations.

11. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS 11.1. Site characteristics and topography of area:

Briefly describe the major topographic features (wetlands, marshes, mountain ranges,

dunes etc.) which most typically characterize the landscape of the area)

• The KBR is situated in a mountainous zone thereby it has absolute

mountainous physiography. The most common constituents found within the region are valleys with numerous ravines, deep gorges and gullies, saddles, crests, knolls and river-terraces. These are mostly found in the lower part of the mountains, i.e. at the temperate locations.

• At the high reaches, the hill slopes are moulded into gentler alpine

meadows. Several lakes of different sizes are also found at this belt. Further up the important topographic features are rocky outcrops at the base of Himalayas, with glacial moraines, scarps, talons, etc. After this, the glaciers, mountains and peaks take up permanent position at the highest points of the reserve.

11.1.1. Highest elevation above sea level: 8586 metres. 11.1.2. Lowest elevation above sea level: 1000 metres 11.1.3. or coastal/marine areas, maximum depth below mean sea

level: Not Applicable

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11.1.4. Climate:

(Briefly describe the climate of the area using one of the common climate

classifications)

• The KBR is in North Temperate Zone and there is enormous

climatic variation from place to place because of high and low altitudinal diversity of the foothills. The climate is quite hot and humid in the south almost tropical while in the north and higher reaches it is alpine. It is arctic in the mountains because it is perpetually snow-clad. In winter, it snows down at an elevation upto 2100 metres and above with damp and foggy weather in the lower regions occasionally with light showers of rain. Above the temperate zone the climate becomes cooler and comparatively low air moisture is found. The area above this falls under alpine zone where the precipitation is mostly in the form of snow, frost and hailstorms. The air becomes drier and ambient temperature never rises above 15°C. The timber line of the reserve falls within this zone.

• Annual rainfall ranges from 2000 mm to 5000 mm. The rainfall is

not uniform in distribiution and varies from drizzling to torrential rains. Humidity is excessive and ranges from 77% in December to 92% in July, the annual mean being 82%. The lofty mountains and peaks have influenced the climate of the region that they come in the path of monsoon clouds as a result there is prolonged rainy season rendering conducive for profuse vegetation growth in the entire region. The greater part of the rainfall is received between April and September with peak around July to August.

11.1.1. Average temperature of the warmest month: 22° C

(Temperate in Aug), 15° C (Sub-alpine in July), 12°C (Alpine in July)

11.1.2. Average temperature of the coldest month: 3.8° C

(Temperate in January), -3° C (Sub-alpine in January), - 17 °C (Alpine in January)

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11.1.3. Mean annual precipitation: 3760 mm (temperate), 3678 mm

(sub-alpine), 2319mm (alpine) 11.1.4. If a meteorological station is in or near the proposed

Biosphere Reserve, indicate the year since when climatic data have been recorded:

a) Manually: 1997 – 1999 b) Automatically: -

c) Name and location of station:

Temperate

Yuksam, Chungthang, Lachen

Sub-alpine

Tshoka, Thangu

Alpine

Dzongri

11.3. Geology, geomorphology, soils:

(Briefly describe important formations and conditions, including bedrock geology,

sediment deposits and important soil types)

• The whole of Reserve is situated over the Himalayan trans-axial belt. The inner belt consists of pre-Cambrian Daling and Darjeeling group of meta-sediments and inner development of Buxa group of rocks. The Axial belt is exposed to show the crystalline rocks of the central region and intrusive granites. The predominant groups of rock are gneiss and the Daling series of rocks along with some intermediaries, which build up the body of the Himalaya.

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• The soil is predominantly acidic and rich in humus, with dark brown to reddish brown colour on sloping hills and fine loamy soil with dark grayish brown to dark brown colour occur on steep low hill slopes. Water-holding capacity of the soil is medium. The erosion and deposition by glaciers and rivers have resulted in a sandy to sandy loam, clayey soil mixed with heterogeneous matrix in some places.

• Studies of physical and chemical properties of soils of alpine zone

of KBR are follows: Properties Parameter Soil depth 0-15 cm 15-30cm

Moisture Content (%) 29.0 24.9 Bulk density ( 9/cm3) 1.08 1.18

Soil porosity (%) 53.2 60.0 Soil composition (%)

Clay 10.9 14.0 Silt 11.5 8.5

Sand 52.0 62.0

Physical

Gravel 25.6 15.6

Soil pH 5.41 4.93 Total N (%) 0.46 0.310 Total P (%) 0.19 0.024

Chemical

Total OC (%) 4.46 4.46

Source: Singh and Sundriyal, 2005

• Glacial moraines are evident at the alpine locations and the glacier-

cut box-shaped valleys are common. 12. BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

(List main habitat types (e.g. tropical evergreen forest, savanna woodland, alpine

tundra, coral reef, kelp beds) and land cover types (e.g. residential areas,

agricultural land, pastoral land). For cash type circle REGIONAL if the habitat or land

cover type is widely distributed within the biogeographical region within which the

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proposed Biosphere Reserve is located to assess the habitat’s or land over type’s

representative ness. Circle LOCAL if the habitat is of limited distribution within the

proposed Biosphere Reserve to assess the habitat’s or land cover type’s uniqueness.

For each habitat or land cover type, list characteristic species and describe important

natural process ( e.g. tides, sedimentation, glacial retreat, natural fire) or human

impacts ( e.g. grazing, selective cutting, agricultural practices) affecting the system.

As appropriate, refer to the vegetation or land cover map provided as supporting

documentation.)

12.1. First type of habitat/land cover: Sub-tropical bioclimatic belt 12.2. Characteristic species

• Trees: Acer laevigatum, Alangium begoniaefolium, Alnus nepalensis, Castanopsis tribuloides, Ficus semicordata, Engelhardtia spicata, Macaranga denticulate, Maesa chisia, Saurauia napaulensis, Schima wallichi, etc.

• Shrubs: Buddleija asiatica, Dichroa febrifuga, Edgeworthia

gardnerii, Melastoma malabathricum, Mussaenda ruxburghii, Oxyspora paniculata, Rubus ellipticus, etc.

• Herbs: Achyranthes bidentata, Bidens pilosa Centella asiatica,

Crassocephalum crepidioides, Drymaria villosa, villosa, Elatostema lineolatum, Eupatorium odoratum, Galinsoga parviflora, Gnaphalium affine, Houttuynia cordata, Notochaete hamosa Oxalis cornicultata, O. griffithii, Peperomoea tetraphyla, Periscaria capitata, Plantago erosa, etc.

12.1.2. Important natural processes: High precipitation, landslides and

humidity. 12.1.3. Main human impacts: Sporadic grazing, adventure/ eco-tourism.

12.1.4. Relevant management practices: Eco-development,

Afforestation, Bamboo plantation, Silvi- pasture development, Infrastructure development, Soil and Moisture conservation in

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degraded areas, monitoring and evaluation.

12.2. Second type of habitat/land cover: Temperate Bio-climatic Belt 12.2.1. Characteristic species

• Trees: Acer campbellii, Alnus nepalensis, Betula utilis, Engelhardtia spicata, Enkianthus deflexus, Exbucklandia populnea, Lithocarpus pachyphylla, Lyonia ovalivfolia, Magnolia campbellii, Malus sikkimensis, Pieris formosa, Rhododendron grande, Ouercus lamellose, Q. lineate, etc.

• Shrubs: Berberis aristata, B. insignis, Buddleija colvilei, Hypericum

hookerianum, Mahonia napaulensis, philadelphus tomentosus, Sambucus adnata, etc.

• Herbs: Aconogonum molle, Agapatus incurvata, Arisaema

griffithii, A. jacquemontii, A. propinqum, Begonia flaviflora, B. josephii, Bistorta vaccinifolia, Euphorbia sikkimensis, Gaultheria trichophylla, Hedychium gardnerii, Impariens bicolor, I. longipes, I. spirifer, I. Sulcata, Koenigia nepalensis, Panax pseudo-ginseng, Pilea anisophylla, Roscoea purpurea, Rubus fragarioides, Smilicina oleracea, etc.

12.2.2 Important natural processes: High precipitation, landslides,

cloud bursts 12.2.3 Main human impacts : Sporadic grazing, adventure tourism,

collection of medicinal plants. 12.2.4 Relevant management practices: Habitat improvement,

afforestation, soil and moistureconservation practices. 12.3. Third type of habitat/ land cover: Sub-alpine bio-climatic belt. 12.3.1. Characteristic species

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• Shrubs: Juniperus indica, J. recurva, Rhododendron aeruginosum, R. anthopogon, R. cinnabarinum, R. nivale, R. setosum, Rosa sericea, etc.

• Herbs: Aconitum ferox, A. hookerii, Allium wallichii, Anemone tetrasepala, Bergenia ciliata, Bistorta affinis, B. emodii, Codonopsis thalictrifolia, Corydalis cashmeriana, C. juncea, Cypripedium tibeticum, Delphinium drepanocentrum, D. gracilis, Eriophyton wallichii, Gentiana algida, G. ornate, G. phyllocalyx, G. tubiflora, Geranium wallichianum, Geum sikkimensis, Impatiens glandulifera, I. stenantha, Juncus thosmonii, Leontopodium jacotianum, Meconopsis hoffidula, Megacodon stylopyhorus, Parnbassia nubicola, Parochetus communis Ped8cularis hoffmeisterii, P. megalantha, P roylei, P. scullyana, Periscaria polystachya, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Potentilla calderiana, P. capitata, P. glabra, P. glomerata, P. irregularis, P. macrophylla, P. primulina, P. sikkimensis, Pyrola sikkimensis, Rheum emodii, R. nobile, Rhodiolal himalensis, Saussurea costus, S. nepalensis, S. obvallata, Saxifraga brunonis, S. engleriana, S. pulvinaria, S. stenophyulla, Selinum tenuifolium, Silene setisperma, Swertia multicaulis, etc.

12.3.2. Important natural processes: Snow cover (3-5 months at

places) 12.3.3. Main human impacts: Grazing on meadows, adventure tourism

(trekking), mountaineering 12.3.4. Relevant management practices: Conservation, anti-poaching

and enforcement, improvement of infrastructures, habitat survey, monitoring, watch and ward, faunal survey, grassland development.

12.4. Fourth type of habitat/land cover: Alpine Bioclimatic Belt,

Alpine Pasture or Meadow.

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12.4.1 Characteristic species: Rhododendron anthtopogon, Rhododendron setosum, Juniperus squamata, Rhododendron lepidotum, Berberis, Juncus effusus, Agrostis myriantha, Festuca rubra, Poa himalayana, Poa annua, Trisetum spicatum and Carex spp.

12.4.2 Important natural processes: Glacial retreat, avalanche,

drying up of lakes. 12.4.3 Main human impacts: Adventure tourism,

mountaineering.

12.4.4. Relevant management practices: Anti – poaching and enforcement, habitat survey, grassland development, monitoring, watch and ward

13 CONSERVATION FUNCTION 13.1. Contribution to the conservation of landscape and

ecosystem bio- diversity. [Describe and give location of landscapes, ecosystems, habitats and/or land cover

types of particular significance for the conservation of biological diversity.]

a. Northern glaciers and moraines: Source of Sikkim Himalayan drainage system and the home of several birds and mammals. Habitat of the endangered Snow Leopard.

b. Tshoka-Samity inclines: Habitat of about 23 species of

rhododendrons out of which a few are very rare and endangered.

c. Dzongri-Thangsing alpine scrubland/meadows: Ideal growing place of a number of Himalayan medicinal herbs. Also, the grazing field of several mountain ungulates and furry animals.

d. Several alpine lakes: Site of alpine aquatic biological resource,

especially zoo/ phytoplanktons. Stop-over of several migrating avians.

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e. Lower temperate forests: This is primarily a broad-leaved

temperate evergreen forests representative. It is the home of temperate Magnolias, rare species of maples, and Himalayan Oaks and Chestnuts.

13.2 Conservation of species biodiversity

[Identify main species (with scientific names) or groups of species of particular

interest for the conservation of biological diversity, in particular if they are of

threatened with extinction; use additional sheets if need be]

• Plant groups falling under the medicinal plants, rhododendrons,

orchids, primulas, are of greater importance for the conservation of plant diversity in the area. Specifically, the species, such as Aconitum heterophyllum, Nardostachys jatamansi, Podophyllum hexandrum, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Rheum nobile, Swertia chirayita, Rhododendron niveum, R. anthopogon, etc. are of particular importance and much threatened taxa. The above includes many of the highly endangered medicinal plants prioritized for their immediate conservation through ex-situ cultivation (Badola and pal, 2002; Pradhan and Badola, 2008).

• Among the wild animals, the Spotted Linsang, Snow Leopard,

Great Tibetan Sheep, Bharal, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan Black Bear, Takin, Serow, Goral and several species of high altitude Pheasants represent the target species for zoological diversity conservation.

13.3. Conservation of genetic bio-diversity:

[Indicate species or varieties of traditional or economic importance and their uses,

e.g. for medicine, food production, etc.]

• The KBR is full of several plants and animals which have proven utility in the sphere of herbal medicine as well as zoo therapy. Apart from this, some elements are used in a host of areas covering food, beverages, clothing, etc.

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14 DEVELOPMENT FUNCTION 14.1. Potential for fostering economic and human development

which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable. [Describe how the area has potential to serve as a pilot site for promoting the

sustainable development of its region or “eco-region”.]

• In the context of the Indian Himalayan region, the KBR represents a wet mountain ecosystem in contrast to the dry mountain ecosystem which is found in the western part of the Himalaya. As Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is already operational from the Western Himalaya, the KBR could be an ideal choice as a counterpart for the Eastern Himalayan region.

• As a pilot site for fostering economic and sustainable development, the KBR offers a wide range of challenges in terms of (i) terrain demands, (ii) biotic resources and (iii) ethnicity. Interpretation of a singular subject or the linkages between the three would provide insight and priorities in the management of KBR.

• KBR is an ideal destination for adventure tourism. It has been growing up in recent years.

14.2. If tourism is a major activity:

How many visitors come to the proposed Biosphere Reserve each year? Is there a trend towards increasing numbers of visitors? (Give some figures if

possible)

Comparing to the year 2003, when a total figure of visitors to KBR as 1912 number (850- domestic and 1062 –foreigners), an expanded number of visitors over the past five years, for both domestic and foreigners, totalling a fluctuated figure between 2618 in the year 2008-09 and 3559 in the year 2005-06, has been recorded, which offers great potential of eco-tourism sector in the KBR (please see the

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Graph below).

2005

-06

2006

-07

2007

-08

2008

-09

2009

-201

0

Dom

estic

Fore

igne

rs

Tota

l

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

Financial Year

Visitors (number)

Visitors in KBR

Domestic Foreigners Total

• Adventure tourism and mountaineering are the two aspects

which are globally growing in the Himalayas. KBR having landscapes of exceptional beauty due to presence of high mountains and peaks, lakes and waterfalls, glaciers, alpine meadows and deep gorges have tremendous scope for tourism development in future. Considering the political disturbances in the established tourist destinations especially in the north-eastern part of India, the tourist flux has been continuously increasing in Sikkim in the last few years. Apart from this, the effort from the Sikkim Government to boost tourism sector in the state has fostered various tourism amenities and opportunities in Sikkim and in the process, a surge in tourist arrival may be expected in the coming years.

14.2.1. Type(s) of tourism

[Study of flora and fauna, recreation, camping, hiking, sailing, horse riding,

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fishing, hunting, skiing, etc.]

• At present, the major tourist type may be classified as adventure, mountaineering and nature tourism promoted by the State Tourism Department and various other tour operators. Tourists in small group of average 6 heads, singly or in two’s, three’s take up the tours which may be for a period minimum of 7-8 days to 2 weeks while groups for mountaineering may be in larger numbers. Tourism is mainly for trekking, camping, hiking, study of flora and fauna and mountaineering.

• There are high possibilities of religious cum adventure tourism

in the KBR. An already notified eco-trek, the ‘Tholung-Kisong’ is one of the fascinating trails which not only offers high scope for eco-tourism and/or adventure tourism, but also provide immense possibilities of promoting cultural tourism, as the entire landscape is studded with several spots of high religio-cultural values (Badola and Pradhan, 2008).

14.2.2. Tourist facilities and description of where these are

located and in which zone of the proposed biosphere reserve

• Tourist facilities comprise of well established trekking trails, log

huts, designated camping sites along the trails in the Singalila Eco-tourism Promotion Zone in the western and southern parts of the reserve. There are four treks in that part of the region. Mountaineering does also take place in the region and in the northern part of the reserve. The mode of transport from the nearest town to the reserve is only on foot. There is no vehicular road to the reserve.

14.2.3. Indicate positive and/or negative impacts of tourism at

present or foreseen:

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• There is relatively low negative impact at present or foreseen. This is due to the reason that tourism development is in budding stage. However, growing tourism can lead to some minor issues, which are often being discussed and tackled with the joint collaboration with management and community people. Some of the issues were discussed in joint consultation workshop conducted by the GBPIHED (Sikkim Unit) and FEWMD, Govt. of Sikkim (Badola et al., 2007) and in later consultations, which came out with important solutions too.

14.3 Benefits of economic activities to local people:

[Indicate for the activities described above whether the local communities derive

any income or benefits directly or indirectly from the site proposed as a Biosphere

Reserve and through what mechanism]

• The direct economic benefit coming to the local people is the

money coming in from operating treks and tours, providing lodging and food packages, and from transport through man and pack animals. The local people are greatly benefitted during the tourist season. The entry and camping fees goes to the state treasury. Apart from the above trade in general merchandise brings in money regularly from the visitors.

15. LOGISTIC SUPPORT FUNCTION 15.1. Research and monitoring 15.1.1 To what extent has the past and planned research and

monitoring programme been designed to address specific management questions in the potential biosphere reserve?

(for example, to identify areas needing strict protection as core areas, or to

determine causes of and means to halt soil erosion, etc.)

• The G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development (GBPIHED), Sikkim Unit, Pangthang-Gangtok had initiated research work in the KBR during 1995-2000. The two important works that have come out from it are on – (i) grazing

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intensity study at alpine meadows of KBR, and (ii) habitat change effect on the avifauna of the Reserve.

• In recent times, since 2005, as nodal organization for the KBR,

as well as by undertaking in-house research programmes, the Sikkim unit of GBPIHED has been very actively engaged in several levels of biodiversity conservation studies in KBR. These research initiatives have been mostly based on planned outlines developed by the institute and accepted by the Scientific Advisory Committees of the institute at Headquaters (Kosi-Almora). Some of the important areas of focus have been the Response assessment and processing of knowledge base to serve long term management and use of biodiversity in KBR; that also include habitat diversity, population studies of threatened taxa, resource use pattern of biological resources (including ethnobiology), etc (Badola et al, 2007; Badola and Pradhan, 2008; 2010; Pradhan and Badola, 2008, etc). These research programmes are focused to develop a sound base line for the conservation and management of biodiversity in KBR, and intended to develop a management plan for the reserve.

15.1.2. Brief description of past research and/or monitoring

activities [Indicate the dates of these activities and extent to which the research and

monitioring programmes are of local/national importance and/or of international

importance.]

Abiotic research and monitoring [climatology, hydrology,

geomorphology, etc.]

• There are hardly any research publication/report(s) available.

Biotic research and monitoring [flora, fauna]:

• There are several studies on biotic aspects; however, long term monitoring is yet to be established, as per available information/publications. So far, the Sikkim unit of the GBPIHED

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has carried out majority of biotic research work in KBR. Bird species composition and habitat relationship was explored around the year 2000 and published in later years (Chettri, 2000; Chettri et al., 2001). Also, studies were made assessing impact of firewood extraction on tree composition and regeneration, etc. (Chettri et al., 2002). Maharana et al. (2000) worked out environmental economics of the KNP in west Sikkim. For a thesis work carried out from GBPIHED (Sikkim unit), grazing impact on plant diversity and vegetation composition of alpine zone of KBR were revealed (Singh, 2000; Singh and Sundriyal, 2005). However, these above studies were focused on a trekking corridor along the Yuksom-Dzongri route of KBR in west Sikkim.

• However, in recent years, some studies have been progressed in

KBR; few appeared in the form of publications. A taxonomic detail on wild flowers was carried out, with limited number of taxa (Maity and Maiti, 2007). Pradhana and Badola (2008), as comprehensive paper, have made assessment on the ethnomedicinal plants and related conservation issues in Dzongu valley of KBR. Along Tholung-Kisong transect in Dzongu landscape of KBR, uniuque places and associated biodiversity studies are on-going efforts (also see: Badola and Pradhan, 2008). Similarly, GBPIHED (Sikkim unit) made an exploration of new population of, hitherto, considered as endangered species, Rhododendcron maddenii, in north Sikkim, bordering KBR (Badola and Pradhan, 2010). Assessment of woody community structures along vast altitudinal transects, covering sub-tropical to alpine elements, has been made by the GBPIHED (Sikkim unit) in west and north Sikkim in KBR. More such studies/surveys are envisased for coming years.

Socio-economic research [demography, economics, traditional

knowledge, etc.]

• This aspect has been covered to some extent and will be

continued further. Pradhana and Badola (2008) assessed

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societal aspects and traditional knowledge of Lepcha tribe associated with KBR. A study published on ecology and economics of pastroal systems in KNP, which detailed out several aspects on pastoral issues (Tambe and Rawat, 2009).

15.1.3. Brief description of on-going research and/or monitoring

activities:

Abiotic research and monitoring [climatology, hydrology,

geomorphology, etc.]

• The concerning agencies have initiated some reserch programmes, and further plannings are there to undertake such kind of research which would help management planning of the reserve in various ways. However, the scarcity of available data doest not allow providing any discription at this juncture; the efforts are going on to gather such information from available researchers who has been involved in any such studies.

Biotic research and monitoring [flora, fauna]

• The research Institutes such as G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan

Environment and Development, Sikkim Unit (Pangthang), Botanical Survey of India, Gangtok, Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) Division of the State Forest Department of Sikkim and Wildlife Institute of India have been engaged in vairous research studies in KBR. There are research proposals submitted from different organizations in recent times for carrying out extended research in the reserve. Currently, however, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Sikkim Unit is extensively engaged in biodiversity studies in KBR.

Socio-economic research [demography, economics, traditional knowledge, etc.]

• Some reserches are goining on relating the above aspects by the

GBPIHED (Sikkim unit) in KBR. However, the studies on the

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transition zone have been planned and initiated on wider scale in near future. This is one of the open areas for much more investigations.

15.1.4. Brief description of planned research and/or monitoring

activities:

Abiotic research and monitoring [climatology, hydrology,

geomorphology, etc.]

• Planned researches are under formulation; however, some studies have initiated by some organizations on glaciers in KBR.

Biotic research and monitoring [flora, fauna]:

• The G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and

Development, Sikkim Unit has been engaged in Biodiversity studies, including assessing populations and habitats of threatened taxa in KBR. Studies are on-going relating faunal componets by WII in KBR.

Socio-economic research [demography, economics, traditional

knowledge, etc.]

• Socio economic research related with the study on demography, economics, traditional knowledge etc. of the people living in the fringes of the reserve are being carried out by the few organization, especially including GBPIHED (Sikkim) and few NGOs.

15.1.5. Estimated number of national scientists participating in

research within the proposed biosphere reserve on

• A permanent basis: about 5 (five) • An occasional basis : 8-10 (eight to ten)

15.1.6. Estimated number of foreign scientists participating in

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research within the proposed biosphere reserve on

• A permanent basis: Nil • An occasional basis: fluctuate time to time

15.1.7. Estimated number of masters and/or doctoral theses

carried out on the proposed biosphere reserve each year:

• 04 (Three doctoral theses (Research) works under GBPHIED, Sikkim unit, Pangthang-Gangtok leading to Ph Ds and one by WII).

15.1.8. Research station(s) within the proposed Biosphere Reserve

• No Research Stations has been set up within the BR yet. Permanent: Nil Temporary: Nil 15.1.9. Permanent research station(s) outside the proposed

Biosphere Reserve: [If no permanent research station exists within the proposed Biosphere Reserve,

indicate the location, distance to the core area, name and address of the most

relevant research station]

• Wildlife Research Wing of the Forest Departmenrt for KBR at

Gangtok; G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Sikkim Unit (Pangthang) at Gangtok; Botanical Survey of India, Gangtok and Geological Survey of India, Gangtok are located within the range of 110-150 Kms distance while field stations of Central Water Commission have been set up in the vicinity of the reserve at Chungthang in the North and at Yuksom in the West.

15.1.10 Permanent monitoring plots

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[Indicate the year established, the objective of monitoring, the type and

frequency of observations and measurements, and whether an internationally

recognized protocol is being used, for example the Smithsonian-MAB MAPMON

protocol for monitoring forest biodiversity]:

• No permanent monitoring plots have been established within

the reserve. However, vantage towers are erected at some places.

15.1.11 Research facilities of research station(s)

[meteorological and/or hydrological station, experimental plots, laboratory,

computerized databases, Geographical Information System, library, vehicles,

etc.]:

• No research facilities are available in the field. They are all at

Gangtok within the range of 110-150 Kms distance.

15.1.12 Other facilities [ e.g. facilities for lodging or for overnight accommodation for scientists etc.]:

• Guest houses and Hotels are available in the nearest towns while old log huts are also available within the reserve. Logistics are available in the field.

15.1.13. Does the proposed biosphere reserve have an Internet

connection?

• It is being strengthened. 15.2. Environmental education and public awareness

[Environmental education – sometimes now referred to as education for sustainable

development -- can be aimed at school children, the adult population of the local

communities, and visitors from home and abroad].

• Nature Camps for school children and local villagers of the

reserve fringe areas are being organized every year. Nature

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education and awareness programmes including health camps are organized in the buffer villages every year.

• As a part of on-going projects in the field of Biodiversity

Conservaiton and Management, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development (GBPIHED), Sikkim Unit (Pangthang) have been organized, periodically, stackholders’ meeting and training programme at field level in KBR intending creating awareness amongst people; often in collaboration with the KBR secretariat of the state forest department. In additon, the institute has been engaged organizing education/awareness programmes time to time in its campus at Pangthang. There are, however, in recent years, local NGOs also conduct peoples’ awareness programmes occassionally.

15.2.1. Describe environmental education and public awareness

activities, indicating the target group(s)

• School children escorted by teachers and local villagers are taken for nature trip for 3-4 days in the reserve in order to make them familiar with the natural resources – flora, fauna and landscape. They are also taken to Zoos and Botanical Gardens outside the reserve. Health awareness camps are conducted with the help of doctors and nursing staffs from Health Department. Wildlife Week is also celebrated in the nearest town of the reserve annually.

• The GBPIHED (Sikkim unit) target a range of stakeholders in its

environmental education and awareness programmes, from community people inhabiting the transition zone of KBR to students and teachers (school to colleges/universities) and the officials of government departments, NGOs, etc.

15.2.2. Indicate facilities for environmental education and public

awareness activities [visitors’ centre; interpretative programmes for visitors and tourists; nature

trails; ecomuseum demonstration projects on sustainable use of natural

70

resources]

• Wildlife Interpretation Centre at Yuksom is functional for the

purpose. Power point presentartion on the bio-diversity resources of the reserve is organized for school children, local dignitaries and visitors during departmental functions and workshop in the transition zone areas of the reserve. NIC at the Himalayan Zoological Park at Gangtok also caters the need of such activity. Similarly, the GBPIHED (Sikkim unit) has conference room, audio-visual facilities, projectors, etc. Presentaiton are used, in addition to provide exposures to participants on available disseminating material on biodiversity conservation, especially focusing the KBR.

15.3 Specialist training

[Acquisition of professional skills by managers, university students, decision-makers

etc.]

[Describe specialist training activities: for example research projects for students;

professional training and workshops for scientists; professional training and

workshops for resource managers and planners; extension services to local people;

training for staff in protected area management]

• Reserve managers and planners are conducting various trainings on bio-diversity conservation, eco-tourism, enforcement of acts and laws for the forest frontline staff, JFM and EDC members, local NGOs and tour operators. G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Sikkim Unit (Pangthang-Gangtok) has been engaged in conducting biodiversity studies and has also employed Research staff for research works in the reserve under Lead BR and in-house programme. Research students have been engaged conducting different levels of biodiversity and eco-tourism studies in KBR and getting professional expertise. State Tourism Department is organizing training for tourist guides from time to time. Travel Agents’ Association of Sikkim (TAAS), Sikkim Adventure and Trekking Organisation (SATO) are also organizing trainings for guides and cooks from time to time. Khangchendzonga

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Conservation Committee (KCC), Yuksom also conducts training for tourist guides and awareness programs for local people

15.4. Potential to contribute to the World Network of Biosphere

Reserves [Collaboration among biosphere reserves at a national, regional and global level in

terms of exchange of scientific information, experience in conservation and

sustainable use, study tours of personnel, joint seminars and workshops, Internet

connections and discussion groups, etc.]

• The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve would contribute to

the World Network of BRs in following ways:

(a) Representing a wet climatic type in the Himalaya. (b) Representative of biodiversity of East Himalayan

biodiversity hot spot. (c) Biotic representation of south east Asiatic province. (d) Representation of divrse biomes ranging from Sub-Tropical

and Temperate-Moist Evergreen to Alpine Pastures and Cold Deserts.

(e) Assemblages of several unique and threatened biodiversity elements of the Himalaya.

(f) Landscape diversity with exceptional beauty. (g) Safeguard ethnic communities especially the only aborigin

and already proposed primitive tribe Lepchas. 15.4.1. Collaboration with existing biosphere reserves at the national level

(indicate on-going or planned activities):

• Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India had identified Lead Institutions to facilitate the reserch and development activities in the Biosphere Reserve of India; the G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, is the Lead/Coordinating Institution for Nanda Devi, Manas, Dibru-Saikhowa, Dehang-Debang and is coordinating the research and developmental activities for these reserves, including Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve. The

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Sikkim unit of the G.B. Pant Institute at Pangthang-Gangtok (Sikkim), as nodal agency under Lead programme, implements the work in KBR and constantly involved with research, educatin and and awareness on KBR biodiversity, and provide inputs and expertise to the FEWMD, Government of Sikkim. The institute regularly involved in collaborative programmes with the KBR management. An ideal example of collaboration between FEWMD (KBR) and GBPIHED (Sikkim) has been established in recent years, especially since 2005. At yearly basis, State level national meeting are conducted involving support from the Minsitry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. Also, both departments conduct time to time stakeholders’ workshops (eg. See: Badola et al., 2007). The above programmes are under plan activities, and also as undergoing initiatives.

15.4.2. Collaboration with existing biosphere reserves at the regional or

subregional levels, including promoting transfrontier sites and twinning arrangements (indicate on-going planned activities)

[Here, “regional” refers to the regions as Africa, Arab region, Asia and Pacific

Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe. Transfrontier biosphere reserves can

be created by two or more contiguous countries to promote cooperation to

conserve and sustainable use ecosystems which straddle the international

boundaries. Twinning arrangements usually consist of agreements between sites

located at some distance in different countries to promote activities such as

cooperative research projects, cultural exchanges for4 schoolchildren and adults,

etc.]

• No formal collaboration so far. However, in recent years, the

FEWMD has been involved conducting joint workshops with other agencies at regional scale. However, initiatives are under way and envisaged for the future.

15.4.3. Collaboration with existing biosphere reserves in thematic

networks at the regional at the regional or international levels (indicate ongoing and planned activities) [ Networks of sites which

have a common geographic theme such as islands and archipelagoes,

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mountains, or grassland systems, or a common topic of interest such as

ecotourism, ethnobiology etc.]

• No collaboration so far.

15.4.4. Collaboration with existing biosphere reserves at the international

level (indicate ongoing and planned activities): [Notably through

Internet connections, twinning arrangements, bialateral collaborative research

activities, etc.]

• Miniastry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has taken initiative to develop database for all the Biosphere Reserves of India with the objective of making the database of the Biosphere Reserves available in the MAB net.

16. USES AND ACTIVITIES 16.1 Core Area(s): 16.1.1 Describe the uses and activities occurring within the core

area (s): [While the core area is intended to be strictly protected, certain activities and

uses may be occurring or allowed, consistent with the conservation objectives

of the core area]

• Principal utility of the core area is biodiversity conservation and

it is strictly prohibited for uses of the core area and resources except eco-tourism and scientific studies.

16.1.2 Possible adverse effects on the core area(s) of uses or

activities occurring within or outside the core area(s): (Indicate trends and give statistics if available)

• The core zone, i.e. Khangchendzonga National Park is virtually safe from biotic interference. No adverse effect has been seen although cases of illegal collection of Himalayan flower seeds, insects and butterflies, illegal grazing, and animal diseases in

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Gorals have been reported in the past and seldom astray reports are encountered.

16.2 Buffer zone(s). 16.2.1 Describe the main land uses and economic activities in the buffer zone(s):

[Buffer zones may support a variety of uses which promote the multiple functions of

a Biosphere Reserve while helping to ensure the protection and natural evolution of

the core area(s)]

• Buffer Zones I, II, III and IV are being developed to promote

the eco-tourism activities. The plantation and soil conservation works are carried out.

16.2.2. Possible adverse effects on the buffer zone(s) of uses or

activities occurring within or outside the buffer zone(s) in the near and longer terms:

Nothing significant adverse effect foreseen if there is planned management continued.

16.3 Transition area:

The Seville Strategy gave increased emphasis to the transition area since this is

the area where the key issues on environment and development of a given region

are to be addressed. The transition area is by definition not delimited in space,

but rather is changing in size according to the problems that arise over time.

Describe briefly the transition area as envisaged as the time of nomination the

types of questions to be addressed there in the near and the longer terms. The

size should be given only as an indication

16.3.1 Describe the main land uses and major economic activities

in the transition area(s):

• Transition zone is targeted for eco-development activities, afforestations, plantations of medicinal herbs, soil conservation measures; the main economic promotion activities are agricultural and horticultural crops, animal husbandry,

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pisciculture, dairy, poultry farming, etc. As one of the top priorities, promotion of ecotourism for sustenance of livelihood of the local people is planned and promoted in transiton zone.

16.3.2 Possible adverse effects of uses of activities on the

transition area(s):

• Hardly any adverse effect of uses of activities is foresoon; however, reserve management shall take full precautions and monitor any adverse effects arise of eco-tourism activities in future too.

17 INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS 17.1 STATE, PROVINCE. REGION OR OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE

UNITS: [List in hierarchical order administrative division(s) in which the proposed

Biosphere Reserve is located (e.g. state(s), countries, and districts)]

Country: India State: Sikkim Districts: North, West and South.

17.2.1 UNITS OF THE PROPOSED BIOSPHERE RESERVE:

[Indicate the name of the different units(as appropriate) making up the core

area(s), the buffer zone(s) and the transition area…]

• KNP is the core zone which is made up of single unit covering

1784 Km2 within few sensitive and biodiversity important area have been demarcated according to resource values such as Arreylungchok Musk Deer Conservation area (27 Km2), Yongzokdrak Blue Sheep Conservation area (56 Km2), Lampokhri Medicinal Plants Conservation area (15 Km2) and Singalila Ecotourism Promotion area comprising of 4 (four) approved treks (30 Km2).

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• Buffer Zones I, II, III and IV are designated for protection, conservation of biodiversity as buffer between the core and transion zone; also as a gateway to core zone for eco-tourism activities.

• Transition zones (03 parts) is adhere with the objectives

defined under standards guidelines of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, and that basically focused on eco-development of transition zone villages and promoting livelihood activites, including eco-tourism, so the pressure on buffere zone can be further reduced in some cases.

17.2.2 Are these units contiguous or are they separate?

[A biosphere reserve made up of several geographically separate units is called a “

cluster biosphere reserve”. Please state if this is the case of the proposal.]

• Core Zone comprises of single unit and the Buffer zones are

contiguous to Core Zone, and similarly the transition zones are contiguous to buffer zone, bondaring the same.

17.3. Protection Regime of the core area(s) and, if appropriate of

the buffer zone(s) 17.3.1 Core area(s):

[Indicate the type (e.g. under national legislation) and date since when the legal protection came in being and provide justifying documents (with English or French summary of the main features)]

• The core area, covering 1784 Km2 (60.86%), as

Khangchendzonga Natrional Park (KNP) has been notified by the State Government during May 1997 under the provision of the Central Wildlife (P), Act, 1972 which has been enforced in the State since May 1976. The Ministry of Environment & Forests Government of India, vide, Gazette Notification No. J-22016/76/91-BR, dated February 7, 2000) has redesignated the KBR. And the recent notification, vide No. 204/KNP-

77

KBR/WL/Forests/2009, dated 24/ 05 /2010 finally defined all unit, including core, buffer zones and outer transiton zones. These notifications as such are enclosed as Annexures V and XII, respectively, in the body of this document, elsewhere in coming pages.

• Forest Conservation Act, 1980, Indian Forest Act, 1927 and Sikkim

Forest Act, 1988 are also in force for the reserve. 17.3.2. Buffer zone(s):

[Indicate the type (e.g. under national legislation) and date since when the legal

protection came in being and provide justifying documents (with English or French

summaryu7 of the main features). If the buffer zone does not have legal protection,

indicate the regulations that apply for its management.]

• As above indicated under para 17.3.1 (see details in recent

notification; enclosed elsewhere in coming pages pages). 17.4. Land use regulations or agreements applicable to the

transition area (if appropriate)

• Not applicable. 17.5 Land tenure of each zone:

[Describe and give the relative percentage of ownership in terms of national,

state/provincial, local government, private ownership, etc. for each zone]

17.5.1 Core area(s) :

• 100% State owned. 17.5.2 Buffer zone(s):

• 100 % State owned. 17.5.3. Transition zone (s):

• Covers both state owned and the land owned by the villagers; however, majority of land is private owned.

78

17.5.4. Foreseen changes in land tenure:

[Is there a land acquisition programme, e.g. to purchase private lands, or plans for

privatization of state-owned lands?]

• Nil

17.5. Management plan or policy and mechanisms for

implementation [The Seville Strategy recommends promoting the management of each biosphere

reserves essentially as a “pact” between the local community and society as a

whole. Management should be open, evolving and adaptive, While the aim is to

establish a process leading to elaborating a comprehensive management plan for

the whole site reflecting these ideas, this may not yet exist at the time of

nomination. In this case however, it is necessary to indicate the main features of

the management policy which is being applied to guide land use.]

17.6.1 Year of start of implementation of management plan or land use policy:

• KNP Plan : 1977-78 • KBR Plan : 2001-02 • KBR is being managed through Annual Plan of

Operation and Annual Action Plan. Long term management plan is under preparation.

17.6.2 Main features of management plan or land use policy and

means of application:

[For example through contractual agreements with landowners or resource users,

financial incentives etc.]:

• Long term management plan is under preparation. Annual plan of

operation (APO) contains developmental programmes such as Habitat Management, Eco-Development Activities, Social Welfare Activities, Infrastructure Development Activities, Forest Protection Activities and Research, Extension and Education Programmes.

79

MANAGEMENT OF THE KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE IN A PARTICIPATORY MANNER

Activities related to safeguarding the threatened Biodiversity values: Protection is the primary aspect of management of the KBR. It is carried out by the existing frontline staff. Anti-poaching operations such as trap demolition and patrolling in the poaching prone areas are conducted periodically. High altitude expeditions of senior officers and wildlife organizations are also organized from time to time with a view to studying the current status of the highlands as an impact caused by eco-tourism, trekking, mountaineering, grazing, etc. and the solutions to incorporate in the management plans.

Mechanism of participation of the stakeholders in planning process: The traditions of conserving forest and wildlife is already a part of the culture of the Sikkimese people, so the Biosphere Reserve and the people’s relationship gradually improved as rights of access to local resource of the buffer areas and the traditional way of life were secured. The local communities are more conscious and committed to the cause of conservation more and more. At the same time, they are seeking greater involvement in the decision processes of KBR management. Experience suggests that successful involvement and empowerment of local communities will make conservation more sustainable and cost effective.

Mechanism of participation: Management of the BR with people’s participation is an approach, which requires changes in the mindset of the officials, field level functionaries and people participating in joint bio-resource management concept. After constitution of Eco-development committees with village level micro planning exercise with PRA tools of each EDC was carried out in detail with the help of NGOs, i.e. The Mountain Institute (TMI) Gangtok Office, Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee (KCC), Yuksom west Sikkim and Motanchi Lom Aal Shezum (MLAS), Dzongu of North

80

Sikkim.

Strategy for People's Participation: The following strategies are being adopted to achieve the objectives of institution building with regard to people's participation:

1. Motivate and train up the field personnel at every level

towards the process of participatory management. 2. Carry out Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) in the fringe

villages as the first step towards formation of Eco-Development Committees.

3. Constitute/reconstitute the eco-development committees on the basis of the Government resolution and complete the process of registration.

4. Initiate the process of micro level planning through participatory rural appraisal and village level participatory planning exercise by involving the allied Government Departments and all stake holders of the Biosphere Reserve.

5. Complete the micro-plans for each Eco-Development Committee on the basis of budgetary provisions for a period of 5 years.

6. Build up a common platform involving all other Government and Non-Government Agencies and stake holders, for implementation of the micro plans.

7. To encourage creation of a corpus fund for each EDC, this will ensure sustenance of EDC activities and EDC involvement in participatory planning process even in the absence of substantial government funding.

17.7 Personnel:

17.7.1. Total number of staff of proposed biosphere reserve: [Provide estimates of the total number of personnel, including part-time personnel,

working at the proposed Biosphere Reserve]

• 35 Nos. for Core and Buffer Zones.

81

17.7.2. Number of staff for administrative and resource management:

• Permanent: 34 • Part time: 22

17.7.3. Number of national staff for research:

• Permanent: 01 (nodal person/scientist from GBPIHED, Sikkim Unit, under Lead BR programme of GBPIHED, Kosi, for MoEF, Government of India), so far.

• Part time: project fellows, fluctuate time to time 17.7.2 Number of technical support staff:

• Permanent: 12 • Part time: 2

17.8 Financial source(s) and yearly budget:

[Biosphere reserve require technical and financial support for their management

and for addressing interrelated environmental, land use, and socio-economic

development problems. Indicate the source and the relative percentage of the

funding (e.g. from national, regional, local administrations, private funding,

international sources etc.) and the estimated yearly budget in the national

currency]

• There are two centrally sponsored schemes, (i) Management Action Plan (MAP) for Conservation and Management of Khangchendzonga Biosphere reserve-Sikkim, and (ii) Assistance to States for development of parks and sanctuaries- Khangchendzonga National Park-Sikkim. As per the Annual Plan of Operation submitted by the Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim, the MOEF, Government of India, releases the resources for implementation of,

(a) Eco-development activities,

82

(b) Social welfare activities, (d) Habitat management, (e) Forest research, Extension and Education, (f) Forest Protection, and (g) Infrastructure development etc.

All the administrative expenses like salaries and wages of the officers, field staff and office staff are born by the State, i.e. the Government of Sikkim.

• Funding Pattern under the Scheme, Management Action Plan

(MAP) for Conservation and Management of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (Sikkim) for the past nine years experienced a significant hike from 22.50 lakhs (Indian Rupee) in the year 2000-01 to 83.43 lakhs (IRs) in the year 2006-07, which slightly declined onwards. The following Graph provides the funding pattern for KBR, over nine years, i.e. from 2000-01 to 2008-09:

Funding pattern in KBR

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

2000

-01

2001

-02

2002

-03

2003

-04

2004

-05

2005

-06

2006

-07

2007

-08

2008

-09

Financial Year

Indi

an R

upee

(in

Lakh

s)

(IRs in Lakhs) 17.9 Authority in charge of administration

83

• Divisional Forest Officer (KNP/KBR), North and West • Joint Director (KNP/KBR)

17.9.1 The proposed biosphere reserve as a whole:

If appropriate, name of the National (or State or Provincial) administration to which this authority reports:

• Chief Wildlife Warden, Forest, Env. & Wildlife Management

Department, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok • Principal CCF – cum – Secretary, Forest, Env. & Wildlife

Management Department, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok

17.9.2 The core area(s): [Indicate the name of the authority or authorities in charge of administering its

legal powers (in original language with English or French translation)]

• Divisional Forest Officer, (KNP/KBR), North and West • Joint Director (KNP/KBR)

17.9.3 The buffer zone(s)

• Divisional Forest Officer, (KNP/KBR), North and West • Joint Director (KNP/KBR)

17.9.4. Mechanisms of consultation and coordination among these

different authorities: (For example through consultative meetings, the designation of a special

coordinator or facilitator to maintain contacts with all stakeholders and actors.)

• Divisional Forest Officer, (KNP/KBR), North and West to coordinate with all authorities in all programmes in the field.

17.10 Local organizatiional arrangements 17.10.1. Indicate how and to what extent the local communities

living within the next to the proposed biosphere reserve

84

have been associated with the nomination process (For

example through public hearings, participation of local authorities at preparatory

meetings, etc)

• Field Staff have been posted at different important areas to

conduct all field programmes acted for the cause. They responsibly organized various participatory programmes under the direction of their superior authorities.

• In addition to above, the KBR management have conducted

several levels of consultations with local communities. Many of such stakeholders consultations were jointly organized by the GBPIHED (Sikkim unit) and the FEWMD (KBR management), at field levels covering north and west parts, venued at Utteray, Dzongu and Yuksom, etc (see also, Badola et al., 2007). These cosultations gave ample opportunities to community representatives, such as memebrs of Joint Forest Management committee, Eco-development Committees, Village Panchayats, local NGOs, local tour operators, porters, etc. for sharing their views and coming out with mutual understanding and actions with KBR management.

17.10.2. Indicate how and to what extent the local communities

can participate in the formulation and the implementation of the management plan or land use policy:

• Local bodies, villagers, EDC members, NGOs and representatives

of different departments are invited to participate in all the field programmes, meetings, workshops, awareness and education programmes. The major issues are discussed and prioritized for the planning and formulation of policies as well as research and development activities. More details have been given in the body of this text elsewhere.

18. SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS:

[Special designations recognize the importance of particular sites in carrying out

the functions important in a biosphere reserve, such as conservation, monitoring,

85

experimental research, and environmental education. These designations can help

strengthen these functions where they exist or provide opportunities for

developing them. Special designations may apply to an entire proposed biosphere

reserve or to a site included within. They are therefore complementary and

reinforcing of the designation as a biosphere reserve. They are therefore

complementary and reinforcing to designation as a biosphere reserve. Check each

designation that applies to the proposed biosphere reserve and indicate its name]

• Name: KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

(√ ) UNESCO World Heritage Site: Proposed (x) RAMSAR Wetland Convention Site: envisaged for the future (x ) Other international conservation conventions/directives: -

• World Wide Fund (WWF) Nepal Programme and International

Centre for Intregrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal conducted workshop on Regional Consultation on Conservation of the Kanchenjunga Mountain Ecosystem with the participation of distinguished delegates from the neighbouring three countries namely India, Nepal and TAR of China in March – April 1997 in which the participants have deliberated about the ecological boundaries of the different sub-ecosystems, legal status, land tenure and land-use system, legal and illegal trans-boundary resource exploitation and human migration, present policies of the respective governments in relation to the sustainable management of the Khangchendzonga Eco-system.The distinguished delegates have deliberated as to how to promote regional collaboration in the sustainable management of this unique ecosystem within an agreed framework of common understanding of the problems and opportunities for both the conservation of the environment and alleviation of the poverty of the people who are part of and depend on the ecosystem. The organizers have initiated dialogues across borders.

(√ ) Long term monitoring site [Please specify]

86

• Khangchendzonga, which means Five Treasure Homes in the

Snow in Tibetan, is a guardian deity for Sikkimese people. Khangchendzonga landscape is sacred and is in Buddhist culture. Some of the mountains and peaks, lakes, cave and rocks are sacred to the Sikkimese people and hence, worshipped.

• The region is home to several valuable Himalayan fauna including

Snow Leopard, mainly found in Green lake and Lampokhari, Common Leopard in Lapdang, Red Panda in Lachen Ridge and Kishongla, Musk Deer in Thepala and Bikmatar, Blue Sheep in Green Lake and Goechala, Great Tibetan Sheep, Tibetan Antelope, Tibetan Gazelle, Tibetan Wild Ass and Himalayan Marmot in Muguthang Valley, Asiatic Black Bear in Sarchen and Tsoka, Himalayan Tahr in Phimphu and Satdharey. It also has a very rich bird life including high altitude flamboyant Pheasants and Snow Cocks in Dzongri, Geochala, and Muguthang Valley.

• The KBR transiton zone areas are the rich mosaic of ethnicity

includes Lepchas, Bhutias, Limboos, Rais, Gurungs, Tamangs, Chettris, Mangars, and Sherpas etc. People are engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry based enterprises for their livelihood. These ethnic groups have unique and rich cultural wealth and interests. Significant religious sites in the area attached to Khangchendzonga’s rich cultural heritage, particularly the Tholung-Kisong transect in Dzongu landscape (Badola and Pradhan, 2008). Lepchas are primitive tribe who mainly live in isolated pockets. A place called Dzongu in South – East of KBR in North Sikkim is a protectorate area of native Lepchas where the race of their own and people of other communities from outside the protected area are not permitted to settle down there (see also: Pradhan and Badola, 2008; Badola and Pradhan, 2008).

• The huge, fearsome and turbulent looking Zemu Glacier located

right inside the Biospehre Reserve in the North is perhaps one of the largest glaciers in Asia. The Glacier which has its head at the base of the Mt. Khangchendzonga and its legs spread right upto

87

Yabuk running about 26 Km in length and 300 m wide threatens its neighbour landforms as it is advancing and already caused Green Lake and Green Chhu (River) dry dead. This is an important site for long term monitoring. Similarly, there are a number of big and small glaciers which play vital roles as water reservoirs in the Khangchendzonga Mountain System or watersheds, which may be receding due to global warming and reduction in forest cover. The associated habitats in north Sikkim within KBR are vital for long term monitoring of biota. These areas need to be taken up for long term scientific monitoring sites.

• In fact, the Khangchendzonga Mountain System which forms the

major eco-systems in the Eastern Himalayas, a global ‘hotspot’ for bio-diversity is as a whole an area to be taken up for long term monitoring sites by biologists, agronomists, social scientists and development authorities closely associated with promoting the well-being of the local people of fringe areas of the reserve.

• The Khangchendzonga massif straddles Nepal in the East, India

to the West and the Tibetan Automonous Region of China to the North. These Mountain Systems are characterized by rich biological and cultural diversity. For effective cosnervation and development of the Khangchendzonga Mountain System, it is important that the three countries collaborate in drawing up a common vision and a long term action plan.

(√ ) Other [Please specify]

• As conservation and sustainable development site in Eastern Himalayas.

19 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (to be submitted with nomination form)

[Clear, well-labeled maps are indispensable for evaluating Biosphere Reserve

proposals, The maps to be provided should be referenced to standard coordinates

wherever possible.]

(√) General location map

88

(A GENERAL LOCATION MAP of small or medium scale must be provided

showing the location of the proposed Biosphere Reserve. And all included

administrative areas, within the areas, within the country, and its position with

respect to major rivers, mountain ranges, principal towns, etc.)

• Attached at Annexures - I & II

(√ ) Biosphere Reserve zonation map (large scale, preferably in black & white for Photocopy reproduction) [A BIOAPHERE RESERVE ZONATION MAP of a larger scale ( 1:25,000 or 1:50,000) showing the delimitations of all core area(s) and buffer zone(s) must be provided. The approximate extent of the transition area(s) should be shown, if possible. While large scale and large format maps in colour are advisable for reference purposes, it is recommended to also enclose a Biosphere Reserve zonation map in a A-4 writing paper format in black & white for easy photocopy reproduction.]

• Attached as Annexure – III (colour Map is enclosed with separate pocket attached with inside of back cover of document).

(√ ) Vegetation map or land cover map

[A VEGETATION MAP or LAND COVER MAP showing the principal habitats and land

cover types of the proposed Biosphere Reserve should be provided, if available]

• Please see Annexure - III (KBR) and Annexure- IV A-B, for KNP (core zone)

(√ ) List of legal documents (if possible with English or French translation) [List of principal LEGAL DOCUMENTS authorizing the establishment and governing use and management of the proposed Biosphere Reserve and any administrative area(s) they contain. Please provide a copy of these documents, if possible with English or French translation]

All legal documents are Attached as Annexures – V to XIII, in English

(√ ) List of land use and management plans [List existing LAND USE and MANAGEMENT PLANS (with dates and reference

89

numbers) for the administrative area(s) included within the proposed Biosphere

Reserve. Provide a copy of these documents.

• Annual Plan of Operation (APO) for each financial year has been prepared since the inception of KBR and submitted to the Governments for sanction. Programs are carried out in the field as per the sanctioned APO.

• Annual Action Plan for KBR for the year 2009-10 to be implmented in the year 2010-2011, is attached, as Annexure- XXXIX

(√) Species list (to be annexed) [Provide a LIST OF IMPORTANT SPECIES (threatened species as well as

economically important species) occurring within the proposed Biosphere Reserve,

including common names, wherever possible.]

• Attached as Annexures – XIV to XXXVI

(√ ) List of landforms (Mountains & Peaks, Lakes & Glaciers)

• Attached as Annexures – XXXVII to XXXVIII

(√ ) List of main bibliographic references (to be annexed)

[Provide a list of the main publications and articles of relevance to the proposed

biosphere reserve over the past 5-10 years]

• Attached as Annexure XXXX 20 . ADDRESSES 20.1 Contact address of the proposed biosphere reserve:

[Government agency, organization, or other entiry (entities) to serve as the main

contact to whom all correspondence within the World Network of Biosphere

Reserves should be addressed]

Name & Organization: Mr. N.T. Bhutia, Chief Wildlife Warden Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim

Street or P.O.Box: 31-A National Highway

90

City with postal code: Deorali - 737 102, Gangtok, Sikkim, India Country: India Telephone: 91- 03592 - 281240 Telefax (or telex): 91- 03592-281778 E-mail: ntbhutia@rocketmail.com

20.2. Administering entity of the core area:

Mr. Nombi Bhutia Divisonal Forest Officer Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department Government of Sikkim Deorali – 737 102, Sikkim (India) E Mail: nombitshering@yahoo.com

Mr. J.B. Subba Joint Director of Forests, Forest, Env. & Wildlife Management Department Government of Sikkim Deorali – 737 102, Sikkim (India) Phone: 91- 9933114007 Fax : 91- 03592-281778 Email: jbsubba2@ymail.com

20.3 Administering entity of the buffer zone:

Mr. Nombe Bhutia Divisonal Forest Officer Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department Government of Sikkim Deorali – 737 102, Sikkim (India) E Mail: nombitshering@yahoo.com

Mr. J.B. Subba Joint Director of Forests, Forest, Env. & Wildlife Management Department Government of Sikkim

91

Deorali – 737 102, Sikkim (India) Phone: 91- 9933114007 Fax : 91- 03592-281778 Email: jbsubba2@ymail.com

92

Annexure -V

SIKKIM GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

No. 95 Gangtok Friday, August 26, 1977

_____________________________________________________ GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM

HOME DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION

Dated Gangtok, the 26th August, 1977

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 15 of The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 (No.

53 of 1972), the State Governemnt hereby declares the following area as per boundaries detailed

hereunder as “Khangchendzonga National Park” for and with a view to protect, preserve and

encourage breeding of rich flora and fauna in this part of Sikkim which is of great importance from

ecological , geomophological and biological significance. The area of National Park comprises about

850 sq. Kilometres.

BOUNDARIES:

On the East : proceeding from Zedang along the ridge passing through Lama-Angdong along

the ridge of Lachen, Benshoi, Latong, Denga, Yugang Reserve Forests following the ridges upto Theng

R.F.

On the West : commencing from South Kabur Peak following the Nepal boundary passing

through Kabur North peak, Talung Peak, Mount Khangchendzonga, Nepal Peak and ending at Tent

Peak.

On the South : proceeding from Theng R.F passing above Pakal R.F following the ridge and

crossing Ringi Chhu above Tholung Gumpa, then following ridge to a turning point to further South

following the ridges between Umaran Chhu and its tributary Passamran Chhu passing through

Tsingnok , Pakilho, Mounts Narsing , Jho-Punu, Pandim, Geochala and ending up at Kabur Peak.

On the North : commencing from Tent Peak, on the Nepal boundary, passing through Zemu

glacier along the Zemu Chhu upto the confluence of Zemu Chhu and Lhonak Chhu at Zedang.

T.S.Gyaltshen

Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim.,

No.43(9)-Home/77

PRINTED AT THE SIKKIM GOVERNMENT PRESS.

93

Annexure -VI SIKKIM

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

_____________________________________________________ Dated, Gangtok Monday, 26th May ,1997 No.90

GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM FOREST DEPARTMENT

(WILDLIFE CIRCLE) DEORALI – 737 102

GANGTOK. No.1/KNP(WL)/F/27 Dated: the 19th May, 1997

NOTIFICATION Whereas in pursuance of sub-section (5) of sectiion 35 of the wildlife (Protection)

Act, 1972 (53 of 1972) , the Sikkim Legislative has passed a resolution for expansion of the

Khangchendzonga (High Altitude) National Park declared by Notification No.43(9) Home/77

dated 26.8.1977 from the existing areas of 850 sq.kms to 1784 sq.kms:

Whereas in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) read with section

(2) of section 35 of the said Act, the State Government vide Sikkim Government Gazette,

Extraordinary No.69 dated 22.6.1996 has declared its intention to constitute the areas as

per boundaries detailed hereunder as Khangchendzonga (High Altitude) National Park:

And whereas after complying with the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 35 of

the said Act, the period of preferring claims has elapsed:

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (4) of section 35

of the said Act and in supersession of Notification No.43 (9) Home/77 dated 26.8.1977, the

State Government hereby constitutes the following areas as per boundaries detailed

hereunder as Khangchendzonga (High Altitude) National Park for the purpose of protecting,

propagating or developing the Wildlife in this part of Sikkim by reasons of its ecological ,

faunal, floral, geomorphological and zoological significance.

94

BOUNDARIES

On the North: Commencing from the point below Lhonak Peak on the Tibet boundary,

proceeding along the upper edge of the South Lhonak Glacier and then following the Goma

Chu, Langbo Chu, Lhonak Chu and ending up at the confluence of Lhonak Chu and Zemu

Chu near Zema.

On the South: Commencing from the Singalila Danda near Simana Pokhari on the Nepal

boundary and proceeding along the Gomathang Chu, Chokchurang Chu upto the point

where Paha Khola meets and proceedings upward along Paha Khola, crossing the Kasturi

Lankabui Danda and following the Reli Chu until it meets Rel Chu and proceeding upward

along it upto Neythang and then to Dare Himal to Rangdang Chu and crossing it to reach

Kayam Chu and proceeding upward along it and meeting the existing boundary at Paki

Lho, Proceeding further along the tributary of Rangyong Chu until it meets Ravingrum Chu

and proceeding upward along it and the tributary of Ringpi Chu to meet it above Tolung

Gunpa and proceeding along it upto Tsana and further along the Tolung RF boundary above

Mayong, Lingza, Timbong, Lik until it meets the tributary of Tolung Chu near Pakel and

proceeding upward along it until it meets the existing boundary and further passing through

Ramam RF and ending up at Ningla.

On the East: commencing from the point of confluence of Lhonak Chu and Zemu Chu,

proceeding along the RF boundary upto the confluence of Zemu Chu and Teesta River and

passing through the RF above Lachen, Bensoi, Latong, Denga, yuigang until it meets the

existing boundary above Darey and proceeding along it and ending up at Ningla.

On the West : commencing from the point below Lhonak Peak at South Lhonak Glacier on

the Tibet boundary and then following it and the Nepal boundary, passing through Jonsang

Peak, Dome Khang, Langpo Peak, Pyramid Peak and meeting the existing boundary at Tent

Peak and proceeding further along it passing through Nepal Peak . The Twins,

Mt.Khangchendzonga upto Kabru and proceeding further along the boundary passing

through Rathong, Kokthang, ending up near Simana Pokhari on the Singalila Danda.

2. This notification shall come into force with immediate effect.

P.K.BASNETT, IFS

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests-cum- Secretary

to the Government of Sikkim,

Forest Department. (File.No.1/KNP/(WL)P-II)

__________________________________________________________________________ PRINTED AT THE SIKKIM GOVERNMENT PRESS, GANGTOK

95

Annexure - VII

R.H. Khwaja Telegram: PARYAVARAN

Joint Secretary NEW DELHI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS

PARYAVARAN BHAWAN, C.G.O. COMPLEX

LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 003

No. J-22016/76/91-BR 7th February, 2000

To,

The Chief Secretary,

Government of Sikkim,

Tashiling Secretariat,

Gangtok, Sikkim.

Subject: Establishment of Biosphere Reserve in Kanchenjunga areas in Sikkim.

Sir,

A project document for designating Kanchenjunga area as a Biosphere Reserve (BR)

was prepared by the State Government of Sikkim. Having considered the project document

in accordance with the guidelines issued by Government of India in this regard, Government

of India have decided to designate the proposed Kanchenjunga as a BR.

2. The BR will be deemed to have come into being with effect from the date of issue of

this notification.

3. The total area of the BR is 2619.92 sq. km. Out of this, an area of 1784 sq. km.

forming Kanchenjunga National Park and 835.92 sq. km. around this Park will comprise the core and buffer zones respectively. The details of the area to be earmarked for manipulation activities such as forestry, agriculture, ecorestoration, agroforestry etc. will be worked out by the project authorities. The details of the boundary and zonation are given in Annexure.

The following will be important aspects of the Kanchenjunga BR.

(a) The core and buffer zone and manipulation activities which may be permitted in the

buffer zone will be in conformity with general guidelines for management of biosphere reserves.

96

(b) The core zone of the BR will be kept absolutely undisturbed.

(c) The constitution of the BR by itself will not in any way change the status of legal

ownership of land and forests nor affect the rights of tribals and local people in any way.

(d) State Government will constitute a Biosphere Reserve Management Committee at the state level in accordance with the guidelines for ensuring scientific management of the BR.

(e) Government of India will provide financial assistance for approved items of expenditure

included in the Management Action Plan to be prepared by the Government of Sikkim.

(f) The government of Sikkim will set up a local committee for coordination of the

activities of the various departments in the BR area.

(g) The government of Sikkim will nominate an officer as Director of the BR. He/She may

be existing functionary who may not necessarily be an exclusive functionary for this purpose.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(R. H. KHWAJA)

Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India.

New Delhi

Dated: 07.02.2000

Encl: As stated

Copy to:

1. Secretary, Planning Commission, GOI. 2. Chief (Science), Planning Commission, GOI. 3. Secretary, Department of Forests, Govt. of Sikkim, Gangtok. 4. Secretary, Department of Environment, Govt. of Sikkim, Gangtok. 5. Chief conservator of Forests, Govt.of Sikkim, Gangtok. 6. Chief Wildlife Warden, Govt. of Sikkim, Gangtok. 7. Shri Pradeep Kumar Rawat, Deputy Secretary (China).

Minstry of External Affairs, New Delhi - 110 001.

Sd/-

(Dr. R. K. RAI)

JOINT DIRECTOR

97

ANNEXURE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE BOUNDARY - KANCHENJUNGA

BIOSPHERE RESERVE

The western limit of Biosphere Reserve follow the India-china boundary in the

Lhonak valley in North Sikkim and India-Nepal boundary in West Sikkim. The northern

limit follow the boundary of the notified Khangchendzonga National Park upto the

confluence of Goma Chu and Naku chu and includes Lungnak La and the area west of

Thangu. In the east, it is bounded by the areas west of Teesta River from Thangu to

Toong and in the south, it includes the reserved forests above Toong, Tholung valley,

Hee, Taryang, Karchi, Yuksom, Lapdang, Khechopalri, Chhang upto Singalila Range

covering the catchment areas of Ringyong, Monmu, Kayam, Relli, Prek, Rimbi and Kalej

rivers and streams.

THE CORE ZONE

The Khangchendzonga (High Altitude) National Park forms the Core Zone of

the Biosphere Reserve. The western limit of Core zone follow the India-China

boundary in the Lhonak valley in North Sikkim and India- Nepal boundary in West

Sikkim. In the North, East and South, the boundary limits will be in accordance with

the State Government's Notification No. 1/KNP (WL)/F/27 dated 19 May, 1997 in

respect of the Khangchendzonga National Prk. The area of the Core Zone is 1784.00

sq. km.

BUFFER ZONES

BUFFER ZONE - I: Portions of Lhonak valley (Trans-Himalayan Zone - cold

desert area) which is the part of the catchment area of Lhonak Chu, a tributary of Tista

River. It is bounded by Lungnak La Ridge in the North, Teesta River in the East, Zema

in the South, Naku Chu and Lhonak Chu in the West. Buffer Zone- I lies between

latitude 270 45 ' and 270 57' North and longitude 880 20' and 880 34' East.

The area of the Buffer Zone -I is 154.48 sq.kms.

BUFFER ZONE - II: Areas West of Chungthang Valley and Teesta River from

Lachen Ridge to Pakel outside the Core Zone. Buffer Zone-II lies between latitude 270

32' and 270 45' North and longitude 880 30' and 880 40' East.

The area of Buffer Zone - II is 55.29 sq.km.

BUFFER ZONE -III: Portions of Tholung Valley in the Dzongu Watershed area,

98

catchment area of Tholung Chu. Buffer Zone-III lies between latitude 270 35' and 270

40' North and longitude 880 25' and 880 30' East.

The area of Buffer Zone -III is 29.37 sq.kms.

BUFFER ZONE -IV: The western limit of BufferZone-IV follow the India-Nepal

boundary. The northern boundary is the Core Zone of the Biosphere Reserve while the

eastern limit is bounded by the RF boundaries of Hee and Taryang. The southern limit

follow RF boundaries of Chhange, Khecholpari, Yuksam, Lapdang, Karchi and the

northern boundary of Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary. Buffer Zone- IV includes the

principal catchment areas of Ringyong Chu, Monmu Chu, Kayam Chu, Relli Chu, Prek

Chu, Rimbi Khola and Kalej Khola which form the tributaries of two main rivers of

Sikkim - Teesta and Rangit Rivers.

The area of Buffer Zone- IV is 596.78 sq.kms.

DELINEATION AND TOTAL AREA OF VARIOUS ZONES.

(a) Area of Core Zone-

Khangchendzonga National Park : 1784.00 sq.kms.

(b) Areas of Buffer Zones - :

Buffer Zone-I : 154.48 sq.kms.

Buffer Zone-II : 55.29. sq.kms.

Buffer Zone -III : 29.37 sq.kms.

Buffer Zone -IV : 596.78 sq.kms

Total Buffer Zones area : 835.92 sq.kms

Total area of the Biosphere Reserve : 2619.92 sq.kms.

99

Annexure- VIII

SIKKIM

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

EXTRAORDINARY

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

Gangtok Friday 10th February, 2006 No. 34

GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM

Office of the PCCF-cum-Secretary

Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management

Forest Secretariat, Deorali, Gangtok –737102, Sikkim

No: 889/FEWMD Dated: 10/02/06.

Areylungchok Musk Deer Conservation Zone

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (8) of section 35 of the Wildlife

(Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972) the State Government hereby makes the following

notification:-

1. Background and Need

It is impractical to have large National Parks with no zonation, where essentially the entire

area is considered as a ‘core zone’. Protected Areas should be zoned according to values in

smaller pockets not necessarily as large cores, but a mosaic of smaller, manageable cores,

spread in an area with tempered human use. Other areas for incentive programmes such as

community based tourism need to be established. The smaller cores should act as ‘source’

populations for sustaining populations of endangered species outside.

2. Aims and Objectives

Conservation of the Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster) population – the flagship species of

the high altitude alpine ecosystem, and its habitat alongwith other high altitude flora, fauna,

100

and alpine ecosystems at Areylungchok in West Sikkim by declaration of 27 square

kilometer of the Khangchendzonga National Park (1.51% of the total area of KNP) as the

Areylungchok Musk Deer Conservation Zone (AMDCZ).

3. Conservation Importance and Values

The steep rocky ridge of Areylungchok located between the Rathong chu and Relli rivers

has been traditionally free from grazing by both sheep and yaks and also collection of

medicinal plants. Steep rocky cliff, shortage of water, heavy wind and snow and severe cold

all play a vital role in this area being free from livestock grazing pressure. The lower reaches

of this ridge along the Onglaktang valley has extensive Rhododendron thickets which give

way to Alpine scrub (Rhododendron and Juniper) in the middle reaches. The upper reaches

have a limited extent of alpine sedge meadows.

This area has a population of musk deer and blue sheep and is also important from

the point of view of studying the impacts of pastoralism, since it has a very limited grazing

history by domestic livestock. Valuable medicinal plants like Sharmaguru, Mykopila,

Bikhma, Jatamanshi, Bhutkesh, Pakhanbhed, Dandu and Khokim were also abundantly

available. Tussock forming grasses like Bhalu buki and sun buki formed large meadows.

This unique vegetation is not available in other parts of KBR. Availability of other fodder

plants like Ganar, Cheeru, Suire, Teeure, Khokim and Dandu further enrich the value of

these meadows. The presence of a number of urars (caverns) provides cover from

inclement weather for wild ungulates. During winter when there is a shortageof winter

pastures, these meadows play an important role in providing the much needed fodder

during the lean season.

4. Baseline Habitat Survey during summer of 2005

Vegetation sampling was conducted during late July and August based on 30 (1 X 1 meter

quadrate) sample plots with the sampling stations at Ghumney, Surgey Danra and Dhurd.

This alpine landscape can be categorized as follows:

S. No. Landscape Property Value

1 Habitat Type Tussock forming Sedge Meadow

2 Aspect South west

2 Biotic Pressure Very limited history of grazing or collection of

medicinal plants

101

3 % vegetation cover 75 %

4 % cover of palatable plants 58% (dominated by Bhalu buki (Kobresia

duthiei))

5 Species richness (no of species 5.5 per sample plot of 1m2)

6 Valuable fodder plants Bhalu buki (Kobresia duthiei), Kesari buki

(Kobresia nepalensis), Sun

7 Evidence of key wildlife Musk Deer, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Tahr, Snow

Partridge and (direct and indirect evidence)

Himalayan Monal

8 Valuable medicinal plants Bikh (Aconitum ferox), Khokim (Rheum acuminatum),

Dandu Allium

Rocky ledges were also present which act as shelter for blue sheep during heavy

snowfall. It is also an important Himalayan Tahr habitat. These meadows serve as a critical

winter pasture for them. Should be given highest conservation importance and kept free

from competition from domestic livestock. Also these meadows are limited in extent.

Feeding signs of musk deer on the nutrient rich inflorescence (flowers) of Ganar

and Khokim at Ghumne and Danra Jhareni was found. Pellets and hoof marks of musk deer

were found at Upper Chonrigang and Khola Urar. Above Chonripaley we came across hoof

mark of musk deer and pellets of blue sheep. Pellets of snow partridge (Larewa) and

Himalayan Monal (Danphe) were abundantly available.

The team also came across five traps in the ridge above Rungdung village which

were subsequently demolished by the park authorities. Also there are unconfirmed reports

of a sheep herder from Dhoopi to have indulged in poaching of musk deer at Areylungchok

in the same year.

5. Existing legal status and threats

The Areylungchok Musk Deer Conservation Zone (AMDCZ) falls within the

Khangchendzonga National Park which is notified under the Wildlife Protection Act -1972

and the flagship species here is the globally endangered Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster)

which is protected under schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act-1972. Adult males have a pod

under their abdominal skin which is valued for its scent. The musk deer is persecuted for its

valuable pod using trained dogs as well as setting traps. The main threat to the musk deer

is from hunting by laying traps and also using hunting dogs by sheep herders from Dhoopi

village and professional hunters from Karjee village. There are increasing linkages between

102

local persecution of wildlife and the larger illegal wildlife trade. Unplanned tourism also

threatens this sensitive and shy animal.

6. Boundaries

Declaring this area within the KNP, with the following borders as a Areylungchok Musk Deer

Conservation Zone.

North Khola Urar stream (is contiguous with the southern boundary of the

Lampokhri Medicinal Plants Conservation Zone)

East Follows the source of the Khola Urar Stream, crosses the ridge and again

follows the stream till it meets with the 3000m contour

South Follows the 3000 meter contour

West Follows the 3000 meter contour till it meets the Khola Urar stream

Total Area 27 square kilometers (1.51% of the total area of KNP)

This conservation area includes the areas around Khola Urar, Surgey Danra, Ghumne,

Shyarbey, Chongripaley, Sukey Pokhri, Dhurd, Mool Dhunga, Patey Bhanjyang, and Kasturi

Urar.

7. Map of the conservation Area

8. Key Issues in the Conservation Management Plan

(A) Conservation Initiatives

(1) Publicity of these regulations by installing adequate signages at Yuksam,

Labdang and near the trekker’s huts, camping sites and the conservation

zone.

103

(2) Informing the travel agents, tour operators, herders, panchayats, pack

animal operators, trekking service providers, Himal Rakshaks, JFMC/EDC

and NGOs about these regulations.

(3) Capacity building of field staff of forest department, travel agents, herders,

pack animal operators, Himal Rakshaks, Panchayats, JFMC/EDC and local

NGOs.

(4) Annual census / survey of the population, distribution and status of musk

deer and blue sheep and other indicator flora and fauna in this conservation

zone shall be conducted.

(5) Encourage focused conservation and recovery programs for the musk deer.

(6) Regular patrolling jointly with the local community, JFMC/EDC and Himal

Rakshaks especially during monsoons and winters should be conducted to

ascertain instances of poaching and status of other threats and controlling

them.

(7) Setting up of a wildlife intelligence network

(8) Involvement of reputed NGOs in wildlife research, conservation and

monitoring

(9) These conservation initiatives should be incorporated into the existing

schemes and programmes of the Khangchendzonga National Park and

Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in order to provide adequate funds

for implementation of this zonation and conservation management plan.

(B) Conservation Regulations

(1) Movement of pack animal (horses, dzos and yaks) beyond Thangsing into

Chonrigang, Lampokhri, Chamrey, Khola Urar and Areylungchok is

prohibited throughout the year.

(2) Movement of pack animal (horses, dzos and yaks) beyond Labdang into

Kasturi Urar, Patey Bhanjyang, Sukey Pokhri, Areylungchok and Khola Urar

is prohibited throughout the year.

(3) For tourists entering from Thangsing, only day trek is permitted from

Thangsing to Lampokhri. Movement of tourists and support staff is

104

permitted only up to Lampokhri. No camping by tourists within this

conservation zone is permitted.

(4) For tourists entering from Labdang on the Areylungchok-Dzongri trek,

camping is permitted only at Kasturi Urar and Khola Urar. Pack animals

(horses, dzos and yaks) are not permitted on this trek. Lighting fire or

cooking food is permitted only at the designated campsites.

(C) Legal provisions and penalty

(1) Pack animal (horse, dzo and yak) operators or yak herders who enter into

this conservation zone shall be punishable with a fine which shall not be

less than five thousand rupees but may extend to ten thousand rupees

apart from the compensation for the damage caused. Provided that in case

of a subsequent offence the fine shall not be less than ten thousand rupees

and may extend to twenty five thousand rupees apart from the

compensation for the damage caused and the concerned pack animal

operator or yak herder shall be banned from entering in the forest areas of

the state for a period of five years.

(2) If tourists or support staff violate the conservation regulations then the

concerned travel company organizing the trek or in its absence the group

leader of the trekking party (hereinafter referred to as “trek manager”) shall

be punishable with a fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees

but may extend to ten thousand rupees apart from the compensation for

the damage caused. Provided that in case of a subsequent offence the fine

shall not be less than ten thousand rupees and may extend to twenty five

thousand rupees apart from the compensation for the damage caused and

the concerned “trek manager” shall be banned from trekking or organizing

trekking in the forest areas of the state for a period of five years.

(3) The compounding officer shall include all forest officers not below the rank

of a block officer. The compounding officer may order reward to be paid to

a person who renders assistance in the detection of the offence or

apprehending the offender out of the sum of money accepted as fine not

exceeding twenty percent of such money. The compounding officer may

meet up the expenditure incurred for detecting the offence and

105

apprehending the offender out of the sum of money accepted as fine not

exceeding twenty percent of such money.

(4) These rules shall apply in addition to the laws relating to forests,

environment, wildlife and biodiversity.

T. R. Poudyal, IFS

Principal CCF cum Forest Secretary

Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife

Management, Government of Sikkim

File No: 250/WLC/F/05

S.G.P.G - 31 /Gazette/ 150 Nos/ Dt:- 10.2.2006.

106

Annexure -IX

SIKKIM

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

EXTRAORDINARY

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

Gangtok Friday 10th February, 2006 No. 34

GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM

Office of the PCCF-cum-Secretary

Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management

Forest Secretariat, Deorali, Gangtok –737102, Sikkim

No: 891/FEWMD Dated: 10/02/06.

Yongzokdrak Blue Sheep Conservation Zone

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (8) of section 35 of the Wildlife

(Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972) the State Government hereby makes the following

notification:-

1. Background and Need

It is essential to have zonation of protected areas for their effective management.

Protected Areas should be zoned according to values in smaller pockets not necessarily as

large cores, but a mosaic of smaller, manageable cores, spread in an area with tempered

human use. Other zones for incentive programmes such as community based ecotourism

need to be defined and set aside. The smaller cores should act as ‘source’ populations for

sustaining wildlife populations of endangered species outside.

2. Aims and Objectives

Conservation of the globally endangered Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayur) population – the

flag ship species of the high altitude alpine ecosystem, and its habitat along with other high

107

altitude flora, fauna, glaciers and alpine ecosystems at Yongzokdrak in West and North

Sikkim by declaring 56 square kilometers of the Khangchendzonga National Park (3.14% of

the total area of KNP) as the Yongzokdrak Blue Sheep Conservation Zone (YBSCZ).

3. Conservation Importance and Values

Located at the northern tip of the Onglaktang valley, due north of Sungmoteng Tsho

(Samiti Lake), beyond Jemathang, one has to cross the 4800m high Gochela pass to

descend into the Yongzokdrak meadows. These meadows are hidden between glaciers and

form amongst the last refuge for the globally endangered Blue Sheep in West Sikkim.

Yongzokdrak is the sacred rock (Naydo) of Sikkim (notified by the Sikkim Government) and

Guru Padmasambhava meditated here on the way to Tibet. These are amongst the best

summer pastures in KBR with a high abundance of nutritious fodder like Sun buki (Kobresia

capillifolia) and Harkat (Carex sp.). There is abundant supply of water too, in the form of a

number of small lakes. This meadow is bounded by Talung glacier towards the North,

Pandim mountain towards the east, Kabur Mountain towards the west and the Forked Peak

towards the South.

The presence of abundant and nutritious fodder plants coupled with abundant

water availability make them the most valuable summer pastures of KNP. No wonder these

meadows are packed with horses, dzos and sheep during summer. These meadows are an

ideal habitat of the globally threatened Blue Sheep and other high altitude flora and fauna.

This habitat is also critical for the apex predator of the Himalayas - the snow

leopard (Uncia uncia), wolf (Canis lupus), Himalayan yellow throated marten (Martes

flavigula), Himalayan golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus),

Snow partridge (Lerwa lerwa), Snow pigeon (Columba leuconata), Tibetan snowcock

(Tetragaolus tibetanus) and others.

4. Baseline Habitat Survey during summer of 2005

Vegetation sampling was conducted during late July and August based on 10 (1 X 1

meter quadrate) sample plots with the sampling stations at Panchpokhri. This alpine

landscape can be categorized as follows:

S. No. Landscape Property Value

1 Habitat Type Sedge Meadow

2 Aspect North east

2 Biotic Pressure Traditionally grazed by sheep and over the

108

last ten years by

3 % vegetation cover 95 %

4 % cover of palatable plants 75% dominated by Sun buki (Kobresia

capillifolia)

5 Species richness (no of species 7 per sample plot of 1m2)

6 Valuable fodder plants Sun buki (Kobresia capillifolia) and Harkat

(Carex nivalis)

7 Evidence of key wildlife Blue Sheep, direct sighting (direct and

indirect evidence)

8 Valuable medicinal plants Bhutkesh (Anemone sp.) and Sharmaguru

(Lomatogonium sp.)

At Samiti Lake, (Sungmteng Tsho) there is a trekkers hut of the Tourism

Department. Samiti Lake and its environs are prime habitat for the blue sheep. We found

about ½ kg of pellets of blue sheep right inside this trekkers hut. During inclement weather

the blue sheep have been using this hut specially during the trekking off season.

In 2005 there were about 80 pack animals (Dzos and horses) and 200 sheep

grazing in these rich meadows during summer. Also the survey team came across two herds

of blue sheep at Chetruke and Panch Pokhri having a total population of 52, including 8

lambs in this conservation zone.

During the winter habitat survey in January 2006 the survey team came across two

herds of blue sheep at Lamune and Zemathang having a total population of 50 in this

conservation zone.

5. Existing legal status, threats and gaps

The Yongzokdrak Blue Sheep Conservation Zone (YBSCZ) falls within the

Khangchendzonga National Park which is notified under the Wildlife Protection Act -1972

and the globally endangered Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayur) is the flagship species, which is

protected under schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act-1972. But just assigning high legal

protection status is not sufficient unless the existing threats are reduced and gaps plugged.

Many mountain ungulate populations, important prey of carnivores, are being

depleted and lost due to competition with livestock, as well as hunting for meat.

Overgrazing by dzo, horses and domestic sheep and presence of sheep herders during

summer are the current threats from pastoralism. Overstocking rangelands with livestock is

109

causing vegetation degradation, which threatens the sustainability of pastoral production as

well as the survival of wildlife populations. There are increasing linkages between local

persecution of wildlife and the larger illegal wildlife trade. Seasonally migrating livestock

herds, as well as livestock imported into the region for the tourism enterprise pose a serious

risk of spreading exotic diseases to wildlife. Also unplanned tourism threatens sensitive and

biologically important high altitude wetlands.

During the Winter Habitat Survey conducted in January 2006, the survey team

came across a trap laid for snaring blue sheep using salt as bait at Yangzee.

The impacts of these threats can be seen by observing the behaviour of Blue Sheep

which have become very shy and the whole herd bolts at the slightest hint of human

presence.

There are a number of glaciers originating from the Gochela, Kabur, Pandim,

Narsing and Tingchen Khang. The affects of global climate change can be detected in the

retreat of these glaciers, and now there are huge boulders, stones and chunks of ice along

the glaciated valleys.

The glaciers have receded not only up the valley but also almost half way up the

mountain face.

6. Boundaries

Declaring this area within the KNP, with the following borders as a Yongzokdrak Blue Sheep

Conservation Zone

North

Starts from the ridge on the northern flank of Talung glacier and continues due east along

the north eastern flank of Talung glacier

East

Starts from the north eastern flank of Talung glacier and continues along the ridge

westwards till it reaches the Gochela pass from where it proceeds due south along the ridge

trekking trail above Gochela pokhri, Jemathang, Teen kune Pokhri till it reaches

Sungmoteng Tsho (Samiti Lake)

South

From Sungmoteng Tsho it follows the outlet of the lake till it meets the Prek chu river and

then moves due west along the ridge till it scales the Forked Peak.

West

From Forked Peak it follows the ridge due north till it reaches Kabur Dome peak, from

110

where it moves due west and descends behind Kabur dome into the Talung glacial valley

and follows it till it reaches the base of Gochela peak. From here it follows the 5200 m

contour and joins the northern flank of the Talung glacier.

Total Area

56 square kilometers (3.14% of the total area of KNP)

This conservation zone includes the areas around Samiti lake, Jemathang,

Onglaktang glacier, Teen Kune Pokhri, Gochela Mountain, Pandim Mountain, Kabur Dome

Mountain, Forked Peak Mountain, Chetruke, Panch Pokhri, Yongzokdrak and Talung glacier.

7. Map of the conservation Zone

8. Key Issues in the Conservation Management Plan

(A) Conservation Initiatives

(1) Publicity of these regulations by

installing adequate signages at

Yuksam, and near the trekker’s

huts, camping sites and the

conservation zone.

(2) Informing the travel agents,

tour operators, trekking service

providers, herders, panchayats,

JFMC/EDC, Himal Rakshaks and NGOs about these regulations.

(3) Capacity building of field staff of forest department, travel agents, herders, pack

animal operators, Himal Rakshsaks, Panchayats, JFMC/EDC and local NGOs.

(4) Annual census / survey of the population, distribution and status of blue sheep

and other indicator flora and fauna in this conservation zone shall be conducted.

(5) Encourage focused conservation and recovery programs for endangered species

(6) Regular patrolling jointly with the local community, JFMC/EDC and Himal

Rakshaks especially during monsoons and winters should be conducted to

ascertain instances of poaching, status of other threats and controlling them.

(7) Setting up of a wildlife intelligence network.

(8) Involvement of reputed NGOs in wildlife research, conservation and monitoring

111

(9) These conservation initiatives should be incorporated into the existing schemes

and programmes of the Khangchendzonga National Park and Khangchendzonga

Biosphere Reserve in order to provide adequate funds for implementation of this

zonation and conservation management plan.

(B) Conservation Regulations

(1) The conservation regulations shall be enforced by the forest officers in

coordination with the Ecodevelopment Committees (EDC), Joint Forest

Management Committees (JFMC) and Himal Rakshaks.

(2) Other than forest officers, the Ecodevelopment Committees (EDC), Joint Forest

Management Committees (JFMC), registered Non Governmental Organizations

(NGO), Himal Rakshaks and the trekking service providers shall be authorized to

detect offences under these rules and arrest the offender if there is reason to

believe that he will abscond. Any person so arrested shall be handed over

forthwith to the nearest forest/wildlife office.

(3) Movement of pack animal (horses, dzos and yaks) beyond Lamune [towards

Samiti Lake (Sungmoteng Tsho)] is prohibited.

(4) The trek from Samiti – Jemathang – Teen Kune Pokhri – Gochela Pass is

permitted only upto Teen Kune Pokhri. Movement of tourists and support staff is

permitted only up to Teen Kune Pokhri.

(5) No camping by tourists is permitted within this conservation zone.

(C) Legal provisions and penalty

(1) Owners of pack animals (horses, dzos and yaks) who enter into this conservation

zone shall be punishable with a fine which shall not be less than five thousand

rupees but may extend to ten thousand rupees apart from the compensation for

the damage caused. Provided that in case of a subsequent offence the fine shall

not be less than ten thousand rupees and may extend to twenty five thousand

rupees apart from the compensation for the damage caused and the concerned

pack animal operator shall be banned from entering in the forest areas of the

state for a period of five years.

(2) If tourists or their support staff trek beyond Teen Kune Pokhri or camp within the

conservation zone then the concerned travel company organizing the trek or in its

absence the group leader of the trekking party (hereinafter referred to as “trek

manager”) shall be punishable with a fine which shall not be less than five

thousand rupees but may extend to ten thousand rupees apart from the

112

compensation for the damage caused. Provided that in case of a subsequent

offence the fine shall not be less than ten thousand rupees and may extend to

twenty five thousand rupees apart from the compensation for the damage caused

and the concerned “trek manager” shall be banned from trekking or organizing

trekking in the forest areas of the state for a period of five years.

(3) The compounding officer shall include all forest officers not below the rank of a

block officer. The compounding officer may order reward to be paid to a person

who renders assistance in the detection of the offence or apprehending the

offender out of the sum of money accepted as fine not exceeding twenty percent

of such money. The compounding officer may meet up the expenditure incurred

for detecting the offence and apprehending the offender out of the sum of money

accepted as fine not exceeding twenty percent of such money.

(4) These provisions shall apply in addition to the laws relating to forests,

environment, wildlife and biodiversity.

T. R. Poudyal, IFS

Principal CCF cum Forest Secretary Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management

Government of Sikkim File No: 250/WLC/F/05

S.G.P.G - 33 /Gazette/ 150 Nos/ Dt:- 10.2.2006.

113

Annexure –X

SIKKIM

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

EXTRAORDINARY

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

Gangtok Friday 10th February, 2006 No. 34

Government of Sikkim

Office of the PCCF-cum-Secretary

Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management

Forest Secretariat, Deorali, Gangtok –737102, Sikkim

No: 890/FEWMD

Dated: 10/02/06.

Lampokhri Medicinal Plants Conservation Zone

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (8) of section 35 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972) the State Government hereby makes the following notification:- 1. Background and Need

It is impractical to have large National Parks with no zonation, where essentially the

entire area is considered as a ‘core zone’. Protected Areas should be zoned according to

values in smaller pockets not necessarily as large cores, but a mosaic of smaller,

manageable cores, spread in an area with tempered human use. Most of the valuable

medicinal plants have restricted populations and are now showing signs of recovery. This

insitu germplasm could be used as a source of planting material for exsitu cultivation of

these valuable medicinal plants to sustain livelihoods in future.

114

1. Aims and Objectives

Conserving the wild germplasm and the habitat of valuable and endangered

medicinal plants along with other high altitude flora, fauna and wetlands at Lampokhri (near

Thangsing) in West Sikkim by the declaration of 15 square kilometer of the

Khangchendzonga National Park (0.84% of the total area of KNP) as the Lampokhri

Medicinal Plants Conservation Area (LMPCZ). It envisages the creation of insitu field gene

banks of inter and intra specific diversity of medicinal plants across the alpine zone of the

Greater Himalayas in the Eastern Himalayas. 2. Conservation Importance and Values

The Lampokhri area is in the south eastern corner of the Onglaktang valley having

a western aspect. This area around Lampokhri (near Thangsing), Chonrigang, Sano Taar,

Dalle Pokhri, Chamrey, Khola Urar, Khola Jhareni, Thulo Jhareni, Danra Jhareni and Pairey

Jhareni is extremely rich in insitu germplasm of valuable medicinal plants like Kurki,

Jatamanshi, Panchamla, Bikh, Bikhma, Bhutkesh, Pakhanbhed, Rambu, Dandu and others.

A few plants of Bikhma were found only here. Pellets of musk deer were found near the

urars (caverns) at Upper Chonrigang and Sano Taar. 4. Baseline Habitat Survey during summer of 2005

Jhareni is a ridge between Aralungchok and Lampokhri, with abundant water availability

since it is criss-crossed by three streams namely Khola Jhareni, Thulo Jhareni and Pairo

Jhareni. It is covered with rich Silver Fir forests and Rhododendron thickets. This ridge is

specially a treasure-house of valuable medicinal plants. The most profuse regeneration of

Kurki was inside the yak sheds and in the urars nearby. Local resource personsinform that

the gothala collect Kurki and store it in the yak shed and the nearby urars are used to dry it

in makeshift Bhattis. The seeds that got scattered in the process, are now germinating.

There is also abundant growth of valuable medicinal plants like Bikh, Panchamla,

Pakhanbhed, Dandu, Jatamanshi and Bhutkesh also many other endangered plants were

also found here.

5. Existing legal status and threats.

The Lampokhri Medicinal Plants Conservation Area (LMPCZ) falls within the

Khangchendzonga National Park which is notified under the Wildlife Protection Act -1972.

The biggest threat to the medicinal plant population is from illegal collection and smuggling

by the yak herders. Also grazing on the vegetative and sexual parts of these herbs by yaks

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during summer adversely impacts the reproduction cycle of these plants. As they are not

able to complete their life cycle and consequently natural regeneration is hampered. During

the habitat survey conducted in the summer of 2005, the yak herder with yak sheds at

Chonripaley and Jhareni had just been evicted. However there is grazing pressure from dzos

and horses especially at Chongripaley, Lampokhri and Chamrey.

6. Boundaries

Declaring this area within the KNP, with the following borders as Lampokhri Medicinal Plants

Conservation Zone (LMPCZ)

North Neer pokhri stream

East 6000 meter contour

South Khola Urar stream (is contiguous with the northern boundary of the

Aralungchok Musk Deer Conservation Zone)

West Prek Chu river

Total Area 15 square kilometers (0.84% of the total area of KNP)

This conservation area includes the areas around Lampokhri (near Thangsing), Chonrigang,

Sano Taar, Dalle Pokhri, Chamrey, Khola Urar, Khola Jhareni, Thulo Jhareni, Danra Jhareni

and Pairey Jhareni.

7. Map of the conservation Area

8. Conservation Management Plan

(A) Conservation Initiatives

(1) Ethnobotanical studies in partnership with Bare Foot botanists (BFBs) from local

communities. Documentation of all plant taxa occurring in this medicinal plants

zone with herbarium records, systematic estimation of plant populations and

regeneration, distribution patterns, association, micro habitat and use patterns

needs to be carried out.

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(2) Encourage focused conservation and recovery programs for endangered medicinal

plants like Aconitum spicatum (Bikhma) and others.

(3) Regular patrolling jointly with the local community, trekking service providers,

JFMC/EDC and Himal Rakshaks especially during monsoons and winters should be

conducted to ascertain instances of illegal collection and smuggling of medicinal

plants and the status of other threats. (4) Setup a wildlife intelligence network. (5) Involvement of reputed NGOs in medicinal plants research, conservation and

monitoring. (B) Conservation Regulations

(1) Movement of pack animal (horses, dzos and yaks) beyond Thangsing into

Chonrigang, Lampokhri, Chamrey, Khola Urar and Aralungchok is prohibited

throughout the year.

(2) Movement of pack animal (horses, dzos and yaks) beyond Labdang into Kasturi

Urar, Patey Bhanjyang, Sukey Pokhri, Aralungchok and Khola Urar is prohibited

throughout the year.

(3) For tourists entering from Thangsing, only day trek is permitted from Thangsing to

Lampokhri. Movement of tourists and support staff is permitted only up to

Lampokhri. No camping by tourists within this conservation zone is permitted.

(4) For tourists entering from Labdang on the Aralungchok-Dzongri trek, camping is

permitted only at Kasturi Urar and Khola Urar. Pack animals (horses, dzos and

yaks) are not permitted on this trek. Lighting fire or cooking food is permitted only

at the designated campsites.

(C) Legal provisions and penalty

(1) Pack animal (horse, dzo and yak) operators or yak herders who enter into this

conservation zone shall be punishable with a fine which shall not be less than five

thousand rupees but may extend to ten thousand rupees apart from the

compensation for the damage caused. Provided that in case of a subsequent

offence the fine shall not be less than ten thousand rupees and may extend to

twenty five thousand rupees apart from the compensation for the damage caused

and the concerned pack animal operator or yak herder shall be banned from

entering in the forest areas of the state for a period of five years.

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(2) If tourists or support staff violate the conservation regulations then the concerned

travel company organizing the trek or in its absence the group leader of the

trekking party (hereinafter referred to as “trek manager”) shall be punishable with

a fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees but may extend to ten

thousand rupees apart from the compensation for the damage caused. Provided

that in case of a subsequent offence the fine shall not be less than ten thousand

rupees and may extend to twenty five thousand rupees apart from the

compensation for the damage caused and the concerned “trek manager” shall be

banned from trekking or organizing trekking in the forest areas of the state for a

period of five years.

(3) The compounding officer shall include all forest officers not below the rank of a

block officer. The compounding officer may order reward to be paid to a person

who renders assistance in the detection of the offence or apprehending the

offender out of the sum of money accepted as fine not exceeding twenty percent

of such money. The compounding officer may meet up the expenditure incurred

for detecting the offence and apprehending the offender out of the sum of money

accepted as fine not exceeding twenty percent of such money.

(4) These rules shall apply in addition to the laws relating to forests, environment,

wildlife and biodiversity.

T. R. Poudyal, IFS Principal CCF cum Forest Secretary

Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management

Government of Sikkim

File No: 250/WLC/F/05

S.G.P.G - 32 /Gazette/ 150 Nos/ Dt:- 10.2.2006.

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Annexure –XI

SIKKIM

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

EXTRAORDINARY

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

Gangtok Friday 10th February, 2006 No. 34 GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM

Office of the PCCF-cum-Secretary

Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management

Forest Secretariat, Deorali, Gangtok –737102, Sikkim

No:892/FEWMD Dated: 10/2/06.

Singalila Ecotourism Promotion Zone

In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (b) of section 33, read with sub-section (8) of

section 35 and sub-section (2) of section 36A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of

1972), clause (d) of section 76 of Indian Forest Act 1927 (16 of 1927), and clause (i) of

sub-section (2) of section 83 of the Sikkim Forests, Water Courses And Road Reserve

(Preservation And Protection) Act, 1988 (6 of 1988), the State Government hereby makes

the following notification:- 1. Background and Need It is essential to have zonation of protected areas for their effective management. Protected

Areas should be zoned according to values in smaller pockets not necessarily as large cores,

but a mosaic of smaller, manageable cores, spread in an area with tempered human use.

Other zones for incentive programmes such as community based ecotourism need to be

defined and set aside. The smaller cores should act as ‘source’ populations for sustaining

wildlife populations of endangered species outside.

2. Aims and Objectives

With an objective to promote sustainable community based ecotourism with minimum

negative impacts and provide incentives to the local community from conservation, the

Singalila ecotourism promotion zone is being defined and set aside in West Sikkim district.

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The Singalila ecotourism zone comprises of 4 approved treks and 27 designated camping

sites.

3. Criteria for designating nature trails and camping sites

Existing nature trails and camping sites have been preferred. Three new round trekking

trails Everest Singalila, Yambong Singalila and Areylungchok Dzongri are being promoted in

order to reduce the impacts along the already overcrowded Khangchendzonga Base Camp

trek. Camping right on the bank of high altitude lakes and in areas of critical conservation

importance is to be discontinued.

4. Existing status, threats and gaps

Community based Ecotourism is an important source of seasonal income for the villagers

residing in remote areas. The impacts of unmanaged tourism are accelerating the rate of

destruction in areas, which were once regarded as inaccessible. The negative impacts of

unplanned tourism like deforestation due to the use of firewood, unhygienic sanitation,

garbage accumulation, smuggling of plants and animals have to be regulated and at the

same time the benefits arising from this enterprise equitably shared. Unplanned tourism

also threatens sensitive and biologically important high altitude wetlands.

Unplanned tourism related pressure on the forest in terms of the firewood used for

heating and cooking purposes has been more distinctly visible at some camping places.

Water runoffs along the trail due to continuous trampling by the pack animals are bringing

about soil loss along the trail and in the pasturelands. Lack of proper garbage management

system by the tourists, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) trainees and their support

staff in this high altitude tourist destination has led to continuous accumulation of garbage

on the route up to Goecha La, HMI base camp and the surrounding sacred lake area.

Another concern is the stray dogs, which accompany these trekking groups and prey on the

ground nesting birds and lesser mammals. The pack animals e.g. horses, dzos and yaks

used in the tourism enterprise compete with the wild herbivores for accessing the limited

fodder resources in the summer pastures.

Due to the limited accommodation in the trekkers huts most of the tourists do

camping in tents and toilet tents are widely used. Since campsites are not designated this

has resulted in camping and setting up of toilet tents as per convenience. The porters and

other support staff often defecate in the adjoining forests resulting in a spread of pollution.

There is a shortage of permanent, functional, alpine toilets with running water facility in the

camping sites. Also the pack animals do not have shelters at the designated camping sites.

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3. Baseline Habitat Survey during the summer of 2004 and 2005

Habitat surveys were conducted during the summer of 2004 and 2005 covering the

Everest Singalila Trek, Yambong Singalila Trek, Khangchendzonga Base Camp Trek and the

Areylungchok Dzongri Trek. During this survey critical wildlife habitats were identified at

Yongzokdrak, Lampokhri, Areylungchok, and Narsing for Blue Sheep, Medicinal Plants, Musk

Deer and Himalayan Tahr respectively. Subsequently consultations with the villagers was

organized at Yuksam, Nambu and Labdang based on which these trekking routes have been

finalized, ensuring minimum impact to wildlife sensitive habitats and at the same time

providing alternative livelihoods to the local community.

6. Boundaries

The Singalila Ecotourism Promotion Zone in West Sikkim district shall comprise of

four approved treks namely Khangchendzonga Base Camp, Yambong Singalila,

Areylungchok Dzongri and the Everest Singalila and comprise of the designated nature trails

and designated camping sites.

7. Designated Nature Trails and Designated Campsites for ecotourism

The following treks are operational within Khangchendzonga National Park, Barsey

Rhododendron Sanctuary and adjoining Reserve Forests in West Sikkim. The

Khangchendzonga Base Camp is a trek operational since a long time, while the Yambong-

Singalila, Everest-Singalila and Areylungchok-Dzongri are relatively new. The designated

nature trail and camping sites need to be notified to ensure that the trekkers stick to the

designated trails. They can switch from one trail to another only at the intersection points of

the two trails. The following treks, nature trails and campsites are being notified in the

Singalila Ecotourism Promotion Zone in West Sikkim.

Designated Trek Trek Name Designated Nature trails in forest area

Campsites in forest area.

1 Khangchendzonga Existing nature trail starting from Yuksam and

Sachen, Bakhim,

Base Camp Trek passing sequentially through Sachen, Bakhim,

Tshoka, Phedang

Entry Point: Yuksam Tshoka, Phedang, Dzongri, Doring Taar, Chonrigang,

Dzongri, Doring

Exit Point: Yuksam Koktshurung, Thangsing and Lamune and back

Taar, Chonrigang, Koktshurung, Only day treks are permitted to Dzongri Top,

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Thangsing and Lampokhri (Lam Tsho), Sungmoteng Tsho

Lamune (Samiti Lake) upto Teen Kune Pokhri, Tshoka to Gunsa / Jamlingang, and

from Koktshurung to Phedang (lower route)

2. Yambong-Singalila Trek- The nature trail from Rimbi to Dechenphuk

Dechenphuk

Entry Point: Nambu (Neytham) and from Chongri (Neytham), Nayapatal,

passing sequentially

Exit Point: Yuksam through Nayapatal, Lower Yambong,

Lower Yambong, And vice versa

Upper Yambong, Daphey bheer, Gomathang,

Upper Yambong Pangding, Chonrigang and then to Dzongri where

Gomathang, it joins the Khangchendzonga Base Camp trek

Pangding Only day treks are permitted to Lachmi Pokhri

3 Everest – Singalila Trek: The nature trail from Hee Bermiok and passing Hilley,

Samma Taar

Entry Point: Hee Bermiok, sequentially through Samma Taar, Barsey, Barsey,

Jorbotey, Hilley, Soreng Jorbotey, Kalijhaar, Phalut, Chewabhanjyang, Kalijhaar,

Phalut, Chitrey, and then to Dechenphuk (Neytham) Chewabhanjyang, where it

joins the Yambong – Singalila Chitrey trek or drop down to Uttarey village

Exit Point: Uttarey, The nature trail from Hilley to Barsey and from Nambu or

Yuksam Buriakhop (Soreng) to Barsey and then And vice versa joining the above

trail

4. Areylungchok – Dzongri Trek -The nature trail from Labdang and passing

sequentiall Kasturi Urar through Kasturi Urar, Khola Urar / Chamrey and

thenabove Labdang)

Entry Point: Labdang to Thangsing where it joins the Khangchendzonga Base

Khola Urar /

Exit Point: Yuksam Chamrey Camp trek.

Only one way trek is permi- This trek passes through the wildlife

tted, starting from Labdang Sensitive habitats namely the Areylungchok

musk deer conservation zone and the Lampokhri medicinal plants conservation

zone. Pack animals (horses, dzos and yaks) are not permitted on this trek. Lighting

fire or cooking food is permitted only at the designated campsites.

8. Ecotourism Promotion Plan

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(A) Ecotourism Promotion Initiatives

(1) Publicity of these regulations by installing adequate signages at Yuksam, Labdang,

Nambu, Uttarey, Hee Bermiok, Hilley, Barsey and near the trekkers huts, camping

sites and conservation area.

(2) Informing the travel agents, herders, pack animal operators, panchayats,

JFMC/EDC and local NGOs about these regulations.

(3) Publicity of these regulations by taking out press release and launching a website

of the forest department.

(4) Provide feedback forms and also web enabled feedback to the trekkers so that

they can provide feedback on their trekking experience.

(5) Training and capacity building of travel agents, herders, panchayats, JFMC/EDC

and local NGOs about these regulations.

(6) Designating the boundaries of the camping sites on the ground and providing basic

amenities in the camping sites like running water, alpine toilets, kitchen cum

porters barrack and pack animal shelters.

(7) These ecotourism promotion initiatives should be incorporated into the existing

schemes and programmes of the Khangchendzonga National Park and

Khanghendzonga Biosphere Reserve in order to provide adequate funds for

implementation of this zonation and conservation management plan.

(8) The Tourism Department may also support in the promotion and development of

the Singalila Ecotourism Zone in West Sikkim.

(B) Ecotourism Regulations

(1) Movement of visitors and support staff is prohibited outside the designated nature

trails and designated camping sites.

(2) Lighting of fire, cooking and “hot lunch” is not permitted on day treks.

(3) Movement of pack animals (horses, dzos and yaks) is prohibited into notified

conservation zones.

(4) Movement of pack animals (horses, dzos and yaks) is prohibited on day treks.

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(5) The “code of conduct” or conservation code for trekking in forest areas has been

notified by the State Government under the “Sikkim Wildlife (Regulation of

Trekking) Rules 2005”. The punishment and penalty for violation of the same has

also been detailed therein.

(6) These ecotourism regulations shall be enforced by the forest officers in

coordination with the Ecodevelopment and Joint Forest Management Committees.

(7) Other than forest officers, the Ecodevelopment Committees (EDC), Joint Forest

Management Committees (JFMC), registered Non Governmental Organizations

(NGO), Himal Rakshaks and the trekking service providers shall be authorized to

detect offences under these rules and arrest the offender if there is reason to

believe that he will abscond. Any person so arrested shall be handed over

forthwith to the nearest forest/wildlife office.

(8) These provisions shall apply in addition to the laws relating to forests,

environment, wildlife and biodiversity.

T. R. Poudyal, IFS

Principal CCF –cum- Secretary,

Department of Forest ,Env. & Wildlife

Management,

Government of Sikkim

File No: 250/WLC/F/05

S.G.P.G - 34 /Gazette/ 150 Nos/ Dt:- 10.2.2006.

124

Annexure –XII

GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM

Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest -cum-Secretary

Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management

Forest Secretariat,

Deorali -737 102

No:130/NP&Z/WL/Forest/29 Dated: 27-02-2007

NOTIFICATION Singalila Ecotourism Promotion Zone

In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (b) of section 33, read with

sub-section (8) of section 35 and sub-section (2) of section 36A of the Wildlife

(Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972), clause (d) of section 76 of Indian Forest Act

1927 (16 of 1927), and clause (i) of sub-section (2) of section 83 of the Sikkim

Forests, Water Courses And Road Reserve (Preservation And Protection) Act, 1988

(6 of 1988), the State Government hereby makes the following addendum to the

Notification 892/FEWMD dated 10-02-2006.

ADDENDUM

Please insert the following after Trek No. 4 of Para 7 of the aforementioned

Notification.

Trek

No.

Trek Name Designated nature trails in forest area Designated

campsites in

forest area.

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5. Singalila

Range Lakes

Trek.

Uttarey –Chewa Bhanjyang-

Major –Baley- Vajra Thumki-Lavey –

Phalakay –Gairi-Sukhadhap- Dund-

Khaftori-Ghoptay-Phedang-Jhareni-

Kopchay-Sikkim Megu and join the

Yambong –Singalila Trek.

Entry Point : Uttarey

Exit Point: Yuksom, Hillay, Nambu-

Darap and vice versa.

Chitray, Chewa

Bhanjyang, Labi

Thumki, Dund,

Naya Patal,

Guransay, Upper

Yambong, Sikkim

Megu,

The trekker, trekking service provider or trekking company shall strictly

follow the Sikkim Wildlife (Regulation of Trekking) Rules, 2005 notified vide

Notification No.887/FEWMD dated 10-02-2006.

D.B.Shrestra, IFS Principal CCF -cum- Secretary

Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Government of Sikkim

File No: 130/NP&Z/WL/Forest

126

Annexure –XIII

SIKKIM

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

EXTRAORDINARY

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY Gangtok Friday 4th June, 2010 No. 243

GOVERNEMTN OF SIKKIM FORESTS, ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

DEORALI, GANGTOK No. 204/KNP-KBR/WL/Forests/2009 Date: 24/ 05 /2010

N O T I F I C A T I O N

Whereas in pursuance of the general description of the boundary of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve declared vide Ministry’s letter No, No.J-22016/76/91-BR, dated 07.02.2000, the definition of boundaries of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve and National Park were amended as suggested by the Survey of India; And whereas since the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is located in a trans-boundary Himalayan range, the western and the north-west boundary taken is India – Nepal and India – China international boundary and for the remaining areas, Reserve Forest line, as per Topo-sheets (Survey of India) and prominent structures, natural boundaries, like streams, rivers, ridges, peaks and mountains etc. have been taken as the boundary line of the Biosphere Reserve;

And whereas the last notification of the year 2000, the total area of the Biosphere Reserve was 2619.92 Km2, out of this, an area of 1784 Km2 forming Khangchendzonga National Park and 835.92 Km2 around this Park comprises the buffer zones, respectively; Now therefore, in view of current inclusion of an additional transition

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zone, the State Government is hereby please to notify the details of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve as follows:- 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE

RESERVE INCLUDING TRANSITION ZONE A UNESCO nomination document for the inclusion of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in the world network of Biosphere Reserves (MAB) was submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India from the Forests, Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim, through G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Kosi-Almora [with Sikkim unit of the institute) for its consideration by the UNESCO, in the year 2007. As per the earlier notifications, the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve covers 2619.92 Km2. areas comprising of two major zones, namely Core (1784 Km2, as a National Park) and buffer zone (835.92 Km2, comprising of four parts).

However, as per the new scheme (a requirement suggested by the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO), as communicated by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, the establishment of a Transition Zone, where the management structure of the department comprising civil society and other stakeholders play an effective role, would be mandatory.

The transition zone of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve has been identified and marked, with joint exercise carried out by the KBR directorate of State Forest Department and the G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development (Sikkim unit), in order to cover all the fringe villages which have direct or indirect dependency on the adjoining buffer zones. In order to effectively manage the KBR, participation of the people is a must, by involving them from the forest fringe villages in various forestry activities, including, seasonal works, eco-tourism, protection and

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conservation of natural resources, which may bring the sense of ownership among the people. As well, in majority of the places within these areas the private lands and forest lands are so closely positioned, i.e. almost intermixing, thus, the chances of encroachment of forest areas are extremely high. Consequently, the management of the Biosphere Reserve with a limited and handful of forest frontline staff would become quite difficult without involving the people of the fringe villages. Therefore, by declaring a transition zone, the concept of co-existence of nature and human being while respecting the needs of each other would be fulfilled.

In view of above, for Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, a Transition Zone, comprising of 44 villages distributed in the periphery of the buffer zone of the Biosphere Reserve, located in north, west and south districts of Sikkim, covering 311.20 Km2 is being notified. The revised version of KBR, including the notified transition zone has the following description regarding geographical setting and boundaries. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE BOUNDARIES of KHANGCHENDZONGA

BIOSPHERE RESERVE (CORE ZONE, BUFFER ZONE AND RANSITION ZONE)

The Western limit of Biosphere Reserve follows the India-China

boundary in the Lhonak Chu valley in North Sikkim and India-Nepal boundary in the remaining portion. The northern limit follows the boundary of the notified Khangchendzonga National Park reaching up to the confluence of Goma Chu and Naku Chu and includes Lungnak La and the area west of Thangu. In the east, it is bounded by the areas west of Teesta River from Thangu to Toong and in the south, it includes the reserved forests above Toong, Tholung valley, Hee, Taryang, Karchi, Yuksom Labdang, Khechepalri, Chhange up to Singalila Range covering the catchments of Tinguyhong, Monmu, Kayam, Relli, Prek, Rimbi and Kalej rivers and streams. 3. THE CORE ZONE

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The Khangchendzonga (High Altitude) National Park forms the Core Zone of the Biosphere Reserve. The western limit of Core Zone-I follow the India-China boundary in the Lhonak Chu valley in North Sikkim and India-Nepal boundary in remaining portion. In the North, East and South the boundary limits will be in accordance with the State Government’s Notification No.KNP(WL)F/27 dated 19 May 1997 in respect of the Khangchendzonga National Park. The area of the Core Zone is 1784.00 Km². 4. BUFFER ZONE

BUFFER ZONE-I: Portions of Lhonak valley (Trans-Himalayan Zone-cold desert area) which the part of the catchment area of Lhonak Chu, a tributary of Tista River. It is bounded by Lungnak, a ridge in the North, Teesta River in the East, and Zema in the South, Naku Chu.

The area of the Buffer Zone- I is 154.48 Km² BUFFER ZONE-II: Area falls in the west of Chungthang Valley and Teesta River from Lachen Ridge to Pakel outside the Core Zone.

The area of Buffer Zone-II is 55.29 Km² BUFFER ZONE-III: Portions of Tholung Valley in the Dzongu Watershed area, catchment area of Tholung Chu.

The area of Buffer Zone-III is 29.37 Km². BUFFER ZONE-IV: The western limit of Buffer Zone-IV follows the India-Nepal boundary. The northern boundary is the Core Zone of the Biosphere Reserve while the eastern limit is bounded by the RF boundaries of Hee and Taryang. The southern limit follows RF boundatries of Chhange, Khechopalri, Yuksom, Labdang Karchi and the northern boundary of Maenam wildlife Sanctuary. Buffer Zome-IV included the principal catchment areas of Ringyong Chu, Monmu Chu, Kayam Chu Relli Chu, Prek Chu, Rimbi Khola and Kalej which form the trtibutaries of two main rivers of Sikkim, the Teesta and Rangit Rivers.

The area of Buffer Zone –IV is 596.78 Km²

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5. TRANSITION ZONE (Newly added) PART-I (AREA: 28.58 Km2): The Western boundary starts at near Sokpakha, and spreads all along College Khola upto the confluence point of College Khola and Khorong Khola. The boundary runs along Khorong Khola upwards and before joinining to Geyzing Dentam road the villages includes are Tikzyak, Rabdentse, Yangtey, Bhaluthang, Pelling, etc. in the Pemayantse Monastery area. PART-II (AREA: 111.15 Km2): The boundaries stretch from the Chhange Reserve Forest along Wasung Khola up to the confluence point of Rimbi Khola and Wasung Khola. Further, the western boundary runs along Rimbi Khola up to the confluence point of Rathong Chu; and from Rimbi Khola, running along Rathong Chu, it spreads up to the point from where old foot path starts towards the ridge of Tashiding, and crosses approximately 1 Km above Tashiding bazaar. The boundary further runs along the foot path and joins Rangit River, and then it stretches along River Rangit upwards and follows the Bermeli Khola up to the boundary of Brang Reserve Forest, including Sada– Phamtam villages in south Sikkim. PART-III (AREA: 171.47 Km2): Southern and northern boundaries: These boundaries start from Brang Reserve Forest, running along Kau Khola between Lingi and Lingmo up to the confluence point of river Teesta and Kau Khola and further runs along River Teesta vai Lum Village; also, the boundary runs along the River Teesta crossing confluence point of the River Kanaka and River Teesta at Naphrikdang, stretching upto Chungthang at the confluence point of Lachung Chu and Lachen Chu. Including Chungthang bazaar, the boundary runs all along the highway (road maintained by Boarder Road Organization) via Mensithang reaching up to Bensoi Bridge. The boundary further extends along the River Teesta via Zema – I, running up to the Thangu at the confluence point of Lasha Chu and Lachen Chu/River Teesta. The Transition zone includes Thangu village, and subsequently and the boundary further runs towards

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Muguthang, along the foot path upto Lhonak Lha, and ends at the Naku chu near Munguthang.

A population of 35,757 representing 8,353 households, the transition zone offers greater opportunities for the communities to participate in the conservation management and eco-developmental activities of KBR. The list of fringe villages in the proposed transition zone are provided as Annexure-I (2 page) The Transition zone, as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, on Protection, development, maintenance and research in Biosphere Reserves in India (2007) has the following aspects to deal with:

• A Transition Zone is the outermost part of a Biosphere Reserve.

• The transition zone is usually not delimited one and is a

zone of co-operation where conservation, knowledge and management skills are applied and uses are managed in harmony with the purpose of the Biosphere Reserve.

• The transition zone includes settlements, crop lands,

managed forests and area for intensive recreation, and other economic uses characteristic of the region.

• As in the case of Buffer zone, in the transition zone also,

experimental research areas are used for understanding the patterns and processes in the ecosystem. Modified or degraded landscapes are included as rehabilitation areas to restore the ecology in a way that it returns to sustainable productivity.

After incorporating the transition zone, the updated area of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, covering core zone, buffer zones and the transition zone, would be 2,931.12 Km2, with following details:

6. DELINEATION AND TOTAL AREA OF CORE ZONE, BUFFER

ZONE AND TRANSITION ZONE

132

(a.) Area of Core Zone:

(Khangchendzonga National Park ) 1784.00 Km2

(b.)

Area of Buffer Zone: (i) Buffer Zone – I: (ii) Buffer Zone-II: (iii)Buffer Zone-III: (iv)Buffer Zone-IV:

154.48 Km2 55.29 Km2 29.37 Km2 596.78 Km2

Total Buffer Zone: 835.92 Km2

Total area of Core & Buffer zones: 2,619.92 Km2

(c)

Area of Transition zone: (i) Transition zone Part I : (ii) Transition zone Part II: (iii)Transition zone Part III:

28.58 Km2 111.15 Km2 171.47 Km2

Total area of Transition zones:

311.20 Km2

Total area of KBR [ (a) Core, (b) Buffer and (c) Transition zone]:

2,931.12 Km2

7. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE

KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, NAMELY:- (a) The core and buffer zone and manipulation activities which may

be permitted in the buffer zone will be in conformity with general guidelines for management of biosphere reserves.

(b) A Transition Zone, where the management structure of the department comprising civil society and other stakeholders play an effective role, would be mandatory

(c) The core zone of the Biosphere Reserve will be kept absolutely undisturbed.

(d) The constitution of the Biosphere Reserve by itself will not in any way change the status of legal ownership of land and forests nor affect the rights of tribal and local people in any way.

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(e) State Government will constitute a Biosphere Reserve Management Committee at the state level in accordance with the guidelines for ensuring scientific management of the Biosphere Reserve

(f) Government of India will provide financial assistance for approved items of expenditure included in the Management Action Plan to be prepared by the Government of Sikkim.

(g) The Government of Sikkim will set up a local committee for coordination of the activities for the various departments in the BR area

(h) The Government of Sikkim will nominate an officer as Director of the Biosphere Reserve. He/She may be an existing functionary who may not necessarily be an exclusive functionary for this purpose.

BY ORDER AND IN THE NAME OF THE GOVERNER

(S.T.Lachungpa, IFS) PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS-SECRETARY

FORESTS, ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM GANGTOK

FILE NO.204/KNP-KBR/WL/FORESTS, WORLD HARITAGE SITE

(UNESCO – MAB net) Annexure-I

Villages within the Proposed Transition Zone of KBR along the

Household Numbers and Village-wise Population

A. WEST SIKKIM: Sl. No

Name of Village No. of Households

Population Household size

1. Maneybong -Sokpakha

156 946 6.0

2. Karmatar 140 736 5.3 3. Bangten 108 644 6.0

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4. Sardong-Lungzick 115 706 6.1 5. Singyeng 102 592 5.8 6. Darap 256 1398 5.5 7. Nambu-Chowri 146 859 5.9 8. Melli 116 623 5.4 9. Melli-aching 109 589 5.4 10. Khechuperi 114 556 4.9 11. Topung 52 286 5.5 12. Chojo 89 476 5.3 13. Timrong 91 420 4.6 14. Sindrang 55 325 5.9 15. Yuksam 364 1951 5.4 16. Dubdi 69 402 5.8 17. Labing 179 1043 5-8 18. Gerethang 176 1026 5.8 19. Arithang 141 847 6.0 20. Chongrang 240 1387 5.8 21. Gangyap 99 627 6.3 22. Kongri 71 442 6.2 23. Labdang 80 456 5.7 24. Dhupidara 76 493 6.5 25. Mangnam 64 380 5.9 26. Norkhola 82 508 6.2 Total of West Sikkim. 3290 Nos. 18718 Nos

B. SOUTH SIKKIM:

Sl. No

Name of Village No. of Households

Population Household size

27 Sada 24 156 6.5 28 Phamtam 98 601 6.1 29 Brong 179 1105 6.2 30 Lingi 270 1580 5.9 31 Shokpey 73 389 5.3

Total of South Sikkim. 644 Nos. 3831 Nos.

135

C. NORTH SIKKIM: Sl.No Name of Village No. of

Households Population Household

size 32 Lachen 1609 2923 1.8 33 Lachen Forest Block 12 32 2.7 34 Chungthang 1567 3766 2.4 35 Chungthang forest

Block 15 59 3.9

36 Shipgyer 166 695 4.2 37 Hee-Gyathang 208 1162 5.6 38 Gor 155 873 5.6 39 Lingthem 210 1161 5.5 40 Lingyza-Tholung 80 397 5.0 41 Lum 60 338 5.6 42 Sakyong-Pentong 41 196 4.8 43 Salim-Pakel 132 615 4.7 44 Tingvong 164 1001 6.1

Total of North Sikkim 4,419Nos. 13,208 Nos.

Grand Total 8,353 Nos. 35,757Nos Source: Census of India 2001

Note: a) Total No. of Household under KBR Transition Zone = 8,353 Nos.

b) Total population under KBR Transition Zone = 35,757 Nos.

c) Total No of villages under KBR Transition Zone = 44 Nos.

-------xxxxxx-------

136

Annexure –XIV Flora and Fauna of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim

(India) FLORA

(over 7000 species)

List of some important plant species recorded for Khangchendzonga Biosphere

Reserve in Sikkim.

Family Scientific Name

Acer campbellii Hook.f. &Thomas. Acer cappadocium Gled. Acer caudatum Wall. Acer hookeri Acer laevigatum Wall. Acer oblongum Wallick.ex.DC Acer osmastoni Acer pectinatum Wall. Acer stachyophyllum Hiern Acer sterculeaceum Wall. Calamus alpine Livistona jenkinsiana

Aceraceae

Acer villosum Wallich Actinidiaceae Actinidia callosa Lindl. Amarathaceae Achyranthes aspera Linn. Amarathaceae Amaranthus sp. Anacardiaceae Rhus semialata Murr.

Angelica nubigena Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urb. Cortia depressa (D.Don) Norman. Heracleum nepalense D. Don. Heracleum wallichii DC. Pimpinella tongloensis Pimpinella wallichii Pternopetalum radiatum

Apiaceae

Selinum tenuifolium Wallich ex. C. B. Clarke.

137

Ilex dipyrena Wall. Ilex fragilis Hook. Ilex intricata Hook.

Aquifoliaceae

Ilex sikkimensis Kurz. Arisaema costatum Martius ex. Schott. Arisaema erubescens (Wallich) Schott. Arisaema griffithii Schott. Arisaema intermedium Blume. Arisaema jacquemontii Blume. Arisaema rubescens (Wallich) Schott. Arisaema speciosum Martius ex. Schott. Colocasia esculenta (Linn) Schott. Gonatanthus pumilus Engler & Krause. Pothos scandens Linn.

Araceae

Rhaphidophora dicursiva (Roxb.) Schott. Acanthopanax cissifolius Harms. Brassaiopsis mitis C. B. Clarke. Gamblia ciliata C. B. Clarke. Panax pseudoginseng Pentapanax racemosa Phoenix rupicola

Araliaceae

Schefflera impressa (C. B. Clarke) Harms.

Aristolochiaceae Aristolochia griffithii Duchartre. Asclepias curassavica Linn. Asclepiadaceae

Ceropegia lucida Asteraceae Acornema pseudotenra

Adenostema viscosum Frost. Ageratum conyzoides. Linn. Anaectochilus pumilus

Asteraceae

Anaphalis Sp.

138

Anaphalis triplinervis (Sims) C.B. Clarke. Artimesia vulgaris Linn. Cremanthodium oblongatum C. B. Clarke. Cremanthodium reniforme (DC) Benth. Eupatorium cannabinum Linn. Eupatorium odoratum Linn. Gynura cushimboa (D.Don) S. Moore. Gynura nepalensis DC. Jurinea dolomiaea Boiss. Lactuca cooperi Leontopodium jacotianum Beauvered. Saussurea andersoni Saussurea candolleana Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. Saussurea deltoidea Saussurea denticulata Saussurea gossypiphora Saussurea hieracoides Saussurea hypoleuca Saussurea kunthiana Saussurea laueana Saussurea nepalensis Sprengel. Saussurea nimborum Saussurea obvallata (DC) Edgew. Saussurea polystichoides Saussurea sacra Saussurea stella Saussurea sughoo Saussurea tanguensis Saussurea taraxicifolia Saussurea tridactyla Saussurea uniflora

Saussurea wernerioides

139

Saussurea yakla Asteraceae Soroseris hookerana (C.B. Clarke)

Stebbins. Begonia rubella Begonia satrapis

Begoniaceae

Begonia scutata Balanophoraceae Rhopalocnemis phalloides

Imapatiens arguta Hook. f. & Thoms. Impatiens urticifolia Wallich. Impatiens cymbifera Hook. f. Impatiens decipiens Hook. f. Impatiens drepanophora Hook. f. Impatiens falcifer Hook. f. Impatiens gammiei Hook. f. Thoms. Impatiens glandulifera Royle. Impatiens kingii Hook. f. Impatiens laxiflora Edgew. Impatiens prainii Hook. Impatiens racemosa DC. Impatiens serratifolia Hook. Impatiens sp. Impatiens spicifer Hook. Impatiens stenantha Hook.f. Impatiens sulcata Wall.

Balsaminaceae

Impatiens tuberculata Hook. Begoniaceae Begonia sp.

Berberis wallichiana DC. Berberidaceae Mahonia napaulensis DC.

Alnus nepalensis D.Don. Betula alnoides Ham.

Betulaceae

Betula cylindrostachys Wall. Boraginaceae Trigonotis rotundifolia Benth ex. C. B.

Clarke. Lignariella hobsonii (Pearson) Baehni. Brassicaceae

Nasturtium indicum Linn.

140

Garuga pinnata Roxb. Codonopsis affinis Codonopsis thalictrifolia Wallich. Cyananthus incanus Hook. f. & Thoms.

Campanulaceae

Cyananthus lobatus Wallich ex. Benth.

Caprifoliaceae Lonicera glabrata Wall. Viburnum colebrookianum Wall. Viburnum cordifolium Wallich ex. DC. Viburnum erubescens Wallich ex. DC.

Caprifoliaceae

Viburnum nervosum D. Don. Arenaria ciliata Edgew. Arenaria orbiculata Edgew. & Hook. f. Arenaria thangoensis Arenaria densissima Wall. Ex. Edgew & Hook. Arenaria depauperata (Edgew.) H. Hara. Arenaria glanduligera Edgew. Arenaria melandryoides Edgew. Cucubalus baccifer L. Sp. Drymaria cordata Linn. Silene nigrescens (Edgew.) Majumdar. Silene setisperma Majumdar. Stellaria medica Stellaria monosperma D. Don. Stellaria patens D. Don. Stellaria sikkimensis Hook. f. Stellaria subumbellata Edgew.

Caryophyllaceae

Drymaria cordata Linn. Celastrus hookeri Prain. Celastrus monospermus Roxb. Celastrus stylosus Wall.

Celastraceae

Euonymus frigidus Wall.

141

Euonymus porphyreus Loesener. Maytenus kurzii Bennet & Sahni. Commelina benghalensis Linn. Commelina paludosa Blume.

Commelinaceae

Cyanotis vaga (Lour) Schultes & Schultes. f.

Cornaceae Nyssa javanica Wagerin. Crassulaceae Rhodiola himalensis (D. Don) S. H.

Fu. Cucurbitaceae Colocynthis Sehrad

Juniperus recurva D. Don. Juniperus indica Bertol.

Cupressaceae Juniperus Sp. Cyperaceae Ceropegia hookeri Cyperaceae Cyperus sp.

Morina nepalensis D. Don. Dipsacaceae Morina polyphylla Wallich ex. DC. Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea detoidea Elaeocarpaceae Elaeocarpus sikkimensis Mast.

Andromeda elliptica Sieb. & Zucc. Cassiope fastigiata (Wallich) D. Don. Gaultheria pyroloides Miq. Gaultheria trichophylla Royle. Rhododendron aeruginosum Hook. f. Rhododendron anthopogon D. Don. Rhododendron arboreum Linn. Rhododendron barbatum Wallich ex. G. Don. Rhododendron camelliaeflorum Rhododendron campanulatum Rhododendron campylocarpum Rhododendron ciliatum Rhododendron cinnabarinum Hook. f. Rhododendron dalhousiae Hook. f. Rhododendron falconeri Hook. f.

Ericaceae

Rhododendron fulgens Hook. f

142

Rhododendron grande Rhododendron hodgsonii Hook. f. Rhododendron lepidotum Wallich ex. G. Don. Rhododendron lowndessii Davidian. Rhododendron maddeni Rhododendron nivale Hook. f. Rhododendron pumilum Rhododendron roylei Rhododendron setosum D.Don. Rhododendron sikkimensis Pradhan & Lachungpa. Rhododendron thomsonii Hook. f. Rhododendron vaccinioides Hook. f. Rhododendron virgatum Rhododendron wallichii Rhododendron wightii Hook. f

Aporosa dioica Muell. Euphorbia stracheyi Boiss. Glochidion acuminatum Muell. Macaranga pustulata King.

Euphorbiaceae

Albizzia procera Benth. Parochetus communis Buch-Ham. ex. D. Don. Castanopsis hystrix Miq. Castanopsis indica (Roxb.)Miq. Castanopsis tribuloides (Smith) A. DC.Lithocarpus pachyphylla (Kurz) Rehder. Quercus baloot Quercus fenestrata Quercus floribunda Quercus glauca Quercus lamellosa Smith. Quercus lanata Smith.

Fabaceae

Quercus leucotrichophora

143

Quercus oxyodon Quercus semecarpifolia

Casearia glomerata Roxb. Flacourtiaceae Corydalis casimiriana Duthie & Prain.

Corydalis hookeri Prain. Corydalis laelia Prain. Corydalis latiflora Hook. f. Thoms Corydalis meifolia Wall. Corydalis pseudolongipes Draba tibetica Hook. f. Thoms. Erysimum pachycarpum Hook. f. & Thoms. Pegaeophyton minutum Hara Pegaeophyton scapiflorum Hook. f. & Thoms Rorippa palustris Basser Enum. Thlaspi arvense L. Sp.

Fumariaceae

Gentiana phyllocalyx C. B. Clarke. Gentiana tubiflora (G.Don) Griseb. Gentiana algida Pallas. Gentiana ornata (G.Don) Griseb. Megacodon stylophorus (C. B. Clarke) Harry-Smith.

Gentianaceae

Swertia multicaulis D. Don Geranium nakaoanum Hara. Geranium nepalense Sweet. Geranium walichianum D. Don ex. Sweet. Aeschynanthus sikkimensis Stapf. Chirita bifolia D. Don.

Gentianaceae

Exbucklandia populnea R. Br. Hamamelidiaceae Hypericum hookerianum Wight & Arn.

Hypericum japonicum Thumb.ex. Murray. Hypericum tenuicaule Hook. f. Thoms.

Hypericaceae

Engelhardtia spicata Leschen ex.

144

Blume. Juglans regia Linn. Juglandaceae

Juncus sikkimensis Juncus thomsonii Buchenau. Juncaceae

Ajuga lobata D. Don. Eriophyton wallichii Benth. Leucosceptrum canum Smith. Phlomis rotate Hook. f. Polygenetic multiflorum (Linn) All. Prunella vulgaris Linn.

Lamiaceae

Beilschmiedia roxburghiana Nees. Beilschmiedia sikkimensis King. Cinammomum obtusifolium Nees. Cinnamomum cecidodaphne Meissn. Cinnamomum impressinervium Meissn. Cinnamomum obtusifolium Nees. Cinnamomum tamala (Buch-Ham) Nees & Eberm. Litsaea citrata Blume. Litsaea polyantha Juss. Machilus edulis King. Machilus gammieana King. Machilus odoratissima (Nees) Kosterm.

Lauraceae

Lager stroemia Lythraceae Aletris pauciflora (Klotzch) Hand-

Mazz. Allium wallichii Kunth. Liliaceae

Lloydia himalensis Lloydia flavonutans Hara. Paris polyphylla Smith. Smilacina oleracea (Baker) Hook. f. Smilacina purpurea Wallich. Smilax aspera Linn.

Liliaceae

Smilax ferox Wallich ex. Kunth.

145

Streptopus simplex D. Don Tupistra nutans

Buddleja asiatica Lour. Loganiaceae Viscum articulatum Linn. Loranthaceae Magnolia cambellii Hook. f. & Thoms,

Magnolia globosa Hook. f. & Thoms, Magnolia hodgsonii Hook. f. & Thoms, Magnolia pterocarpa Roxb, Michelia lanuginosa Wall. Michelia cathcartii Hook. f. & Thoms Michelia champaca Linn. Michelia excelsa Wallich. Michelia lanuginosa Wall. Michelia velutina DC. Hook. f.& Thomas

Magnoliaceae

Malva verticillata L. Sp. Nayariophyton zizyphifolium (Griff). Malvaceae

Melastoma normale D. Don. Osbeckia nepalansis Hook. Osbeckia stellata Buch-Ham. ex. D. Don. Oxyspora paniculata (D. Don) DC.

Melastomataceae

Amoora wallichii King. Cedrela toona Roxb. Chukrasia tabularis Juss. Heynea trijuga Roxb.

Meliaceae

Stephania rotunda Lour. Menispermaceae Artocarpus lakoocha

Ficus clavata Ficus cunia Buch-Ham ex. Roxb. Ficus foveolata Wall. Ficus hirta Ficus infectoriuss Linn. Ficus nemoralis Wall.

Moraceae

Ficus roxburghii Wallich ex. Miq. Moraceae Morus laevigata Wall.

146

Maesa chisia Buch-Ham. ex. D. Don Myrsinaceae Epilobium latifolium Linn.

Epilobium wallichianum Hausskn. Onagraceae Aphyllorchis parviflora Bulleuia yunnanensis Aerides crispum Aerides fiedlingii Aerides multiflorum Aerides odoratum Aerides vandarum Anoectochilus roxburghii Anoectochilus sikkimensis Aphyllorchis pantlingii Arachnanthe blume Arachnanthe cathcartii Arachnanthe clarkia Ascocentrum ampullaceum Bulbophyllum affine Bulbophyllum cylindricum Bulbophyllum leopardinum Bulbophyllum odoratissimum Calanthe alpina Calanthe herbacea Calanthe alismaefolia Calanthe biloba Calanthe mannii Calanthe chloroleuca Calanthe masuca Ceratostylis teres Cirrhopetalum caudatum Cirrhopetalum cornutum Cirrhopetalum guttulatum Cirrhopetalum parvulum Cirrhopetalum refractum Cleisostoma gemmatum

Orchidaceae

Coelogyne barbata

147

Coelogyne corymbosa Coelogyne cristata

Coelogyne flaccida Coelogyne fuscescens Coelogyne hookeriana Coelogyne nitida Coelogyne occulata Coelogyne ochracea Lindley. Cymbidium eburneum Cymbidium hookerianum Cymbidium lowianum Cymbidium mastersii Coelogyne treutleri Cypripedium elegans Cypripedium fairieanum Cypripedium himalaicum Cypripedium tibeticum Cypripedium venustum Cypripedium villosum Cymbidium whiteae Didiciea cunninghamii Dendrobium amoeanum Dendrobium chrysanthum Dendrobium denudans Dendrobium densiflorum Dendrobium devonianum Dendrobium falconeri Dendrobium farmeri Dendrobium formosum Dendrobium funbriatum Hook. Dendrobium hookerianum Dendrobium infundibuliform Dendrobium moschatum Dendrobium nobile Dendrobium pierardii

Orchidaceae

Dendrobium primulinum

148

Dendrobium thyrsiflorum Epipactis latifolia Eria excavata Eria graminifolia Eria pannea Galeola spathulata (Lindley).

Habenaria aitchinsoni Habenaria albo-marginata Habenaria bakeriana Habenaria cimminsiana Habenaria densa Habenaria fallax Habenaria nematocaulon Habenaria oligantha Habenaria orchidis Habenaria pectinata Habenaria stenantha Herminium congestum Herminium gracile Herminium orbiculare Herminium quinquelobum Liparis perpisilla Liparis pygmaea Listera lindleyana Listera pinetorum Listera tenuis Luisia inconspicua Malaxis muscifera (Lindley) Kuntze. Microstylis muscifera Microstylis wallichii Orchis chusua Linn. Orchis habenariodes Orchis latifolia Linn. Orchis spathulata Oreorchis foliosa

Orchidaceae

Oreorchis micrantha

149

Phaeonychium parryoides Paphiopedilum fairrieanum Paphiopedilum venustum Phaius flavus Phaius mishmensis Phalaenopsis mannii Pleione humilis Pleione praecox (Smith) D. Don. Renanthera imschootiana Saccolabium calceolare

Sarchochilus suaveolens Satyrium nepalense Spathoglottis ixioides Spiranthes australis Satyrium nepalense Tipularia josephi Vanda cristata Vanda roxburghii Vanda stangeana Vanda teres Wall. Zeuxine pulchra Oxalis leucolepis Diels. Oxyria digyna (Linn) Hill.

Orchidaceae

Corydalis cashmeriana Royle. Corydalis juncea Wallich. Meconopsis dhwojii G.Taylor. Meconopsis grandis Prain. Meconopsis horridula Hook. f. Thoms. Meconopsis paniculata D. Don.

Papaveraceae

Erythrina indica Parochetus communis Buch-Ham. ex D. Don Pedicularis megalantha D. Don. Pedicularis hoffineisteri Klotzch. Pedicularis roylei Maxim.

Papilionaceae

Pedicularis scullyana Prain ex. Maxim.

150

Persicaria polystachya Gross. Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex. Benth.

Parnassia nubicola Wallich ex. Royle. Parnassiaceae Abies densa Griffith ex. R. Parker.

Tsuga dumosa (D.Don) Eichler. Pinaceae Piper boehmeriaefolia (Miq.) DC.

Piper longum Linn. Piperaceae Plantago erosa Wall.

Plantaginaceae Arundina graminifolia Arundinaria maling Gamble. Brachiaria Sp. Poa sp. II Poa sp. III Poa sp.I

Poaceae

Potentilla peduncularis D. Don. Potentilla coriandrifolia D. Don. Potentilla microphylla D. Don. Potentilla plurijuga Hand Mazz. Thysanolaena maxima

Poaceae

Polygala arillata D. Don. Aconogonum molle D.Don. Bistorta emodi (Meissner) Hara. Bistorta vaccinifolia Greene. Bistorta affinis (D. Don) Greene. Bistorta macrophylla (D. Don) Sojak. Persicaria capitata Gross. Polygonum Sp. Rheum australe D. Don. Rheum nobile Hook. f. & Thoms.

Polygalaceae

Androsace lehmannii Wall Primula glomerata Pax. Primula irregularis Craib. Primula macrophylla D. Don. Primula primulina (Sprengel) Hara. Primula antrodenta W. W. Smith.

Primulaceae

Primula bellidifolia

151

Primula calderana Balf. f. Cooper. Primula capitala Hook. Primula caveana Primula concinna Primula denticulata Primula dickiana Primula elongata Primula flagellaris Primula glabra Klatt. Primula hookeri Primula involucrata Primula muscioides Primula nivalis Primula obtusifolia Primula pantlingii Primula petiolaris Primula reticulata Primula sapphirina

Primula sikkimensis Hook. f. Primula tenuiloba Primula tibetica Primula uniflora

Primulaceae

Pteris sp. Diplazium umbrosum Pteridaceae

Pyrola sikkimensis Pyrolaceae Aconitum elwesii Stapf.

Aconitum ferox Wallich ex. Seringe. Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. Aconitum hookeri Stapf. Aconitum laciniatum Stapf. Aconitum naviculare Stapf. Aconitum spicatum Stapf. Anemone demissa Hook. f. & Thoms. Anemone griffithi Hook.f. & Thoms, Anemone obtusiloba D. Don.

Ranunculaceae

Anemone polyanthes D. Don,

152

Anemone rivularis Buch-Ham. Anemone rupicola Cambess. Anemone tetrasepala Royle. Anemone trullifolia Hook.f. & Thoms. Caltha palustris L. Sp. Caltha scaposa Hook. f. Thoms. Clematis montana Buch-Ham. Clematis tongluensis Bruehl. Delphinium drepanocentrum (Breehl) Munz. Delphinium viscosum Hook. f. & Thoms. Delphinum glaciale Hook. f. & Thoms. Halerpestes tricuspis Hand-Mazz. Oxygraphis endlicheri Bennet & Chandra. Oxygraphis polypetala (Royle). Paraoxygraphis sikkimensis W. Smith. Ranunculus brotherusii Freyn. Ranunculus diffusus DC. Ranunculus hyperboreus Rottb. Ranunculus lobatus Cambess. Ranunculus pulchellus C. Meyer.

Thalictrum alpinum Linn. Thalictrum chelidonii DC. Thalictrum foliosum DC. Thalictrum virgatum Hooks. f. & Thomas.

Ranunculaceae

Berchemia edgeworthii Lawson. Berchemia floribunda (Wall). Rhamnus virgatus Roxb.

Rhamnaceae

Cotoneaster simonsii Fragaria daltoniana Gay Fragaria nubicola Lindley ex. Lacaita. Geum sikkimensis Prain.

Rosaceae

Rosa sericea Lindley.

153

Sorbus microphylla Wenzing. Sorbus foliolosa (Wallich) Eriolobus indica Schn. Neillia rubiflora D.Don. Prunus cerasoides D. Don Rubus ellipticus Smith. Rubus nepalensis (Hook.f.) Kuntze. Rubus paniculatus Smith.

Galium verum Linn. Rubus calycinus Wallich ex. Don. Rubus ellipticus Smith. Mussaenda frondosa Mussaenda roxburghii Linn. Ophiorrhiza lurida Rubia manjith Roxb ex. Fleming. Rubus niveus Thumb.

Rubiaceae

Boenninghausenia albiflora Hook. Evodia fraxinifolia Benth. Skimmia laureola DC. Tetradium ruticarpum Hartley. Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Edgew. Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC. Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb. Zanthoxylum tomentellum Hook.

Rutaceae

Meliosma dilleniaefolia Wall. Sabia campanulata Wall. Salix sikkimensis Anderson.

Sabiaceae Bassia butyracea Sapotaceae Saurauia napaulensis DC. Saurauiaceae Astilbe rivularis Buch-Ham ex. D. Don.

Bergenia ciliata (Haw) Sternb. Spiraea arcuata Hook. f. Saxifraga brunonis Wallich ex. Seringe. Saxifraga engleriana Harry-Smith.

Saxifragaceae

Saxifraga stenophylla Royle.

154

Saxifraga pulvinaria Harry-Smith. Ribes graciale Wall.

Hemiphragma heterophylla Wallich. Lagotis kunawurensis (Royle ex. Benth) Rupr. Mazus dentatus Wallich ex. Benth Pedicularis hoffmeisteri Klotzch. Picrorhiza kurrooa Wulfenia amherstiana Benth

Scrophulariaceae

Stachyurus himalaicus Hook. Turpinia nepalensis Wight & Arnott. Turpinia pomifera DC. Turpinia nepalensis Wall.

Stachyuraceae

Symplocos theifolia Don. Symplocaceae Myricaria squamosa Desv. Tamaricaceae Cryptomeria japonica D.Don Taxodiaceae Camellia kissi Wall.

Eurya acuminata DC. Theaceae Daphne involucrata Wall.

Daphne bholua Buch-Ham ex. D. Don.Edgeworthia gardneri (Wallich) Meissner.

Thymeliaceae

Debregeasia salicifolia (D.Don) Rendle. Elatostema sessile Wedd. Girardinia diversifolia (Link) Friis. Laportia terminalis Wight. Lecanthus peduncularis (Royle) Wedd. Pilea scripta (Buch-Ham.ex.D.Don) Wedd. Urtica dioica Linn.

Urticaceae

Agapetes serpens (Wight) Sleumer. Vaccinium nummularia C. B. Clarke. Vacciniaceae

Vaccinium retusum Hook. f. Vacciniaceae Vaccinium serratum Wight.

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Nardostachys jatamansi DC. Valeriana jatamansi Valerianaceae

Callicarpa arborea Roxb. Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl. Verbenaceae Viola camelleo Boiss. Viola canescens Wallich. Violaceae

Vitex heterophylla Cissus spectabilis Cissus repanda Vahl. Tetrastigma rumicispermum Lawson.

Vitaceae

Hedychium aurantiacum Roscoe. Hedychium ellipticum Smith. Hedychium spicatum Roscoea alpina Royle. Roscoea purpurea Smith.

Zingiberaceae

Annexure –XV

Medicinal Plants (Total 524 Species) in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim Family Scientific Name Common Name

Acorus calamus Sweet flag Arisaema speciosum Cobra lily, Snake lily Arisaema tortuosum Cobra flower

Araceae

Monstera deliciosa Ceriman, swiss cheese plant

Araliaceae Panax pseudoginseng Ginseng Amaranthaceae Amaranthus spinosus Priclky amaranthus

Rhus insighnis Dhobi nut Rhus semialata Rhus succedanea Crab’s claw, Japan wax

tree

Anacardaceae

Choerospondias axillaris Hug plum

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Alstonia scholaris Devils’ tree Apocynaceae Trachelospermum

fragrans Star Jasmine

Aristolochiaceae Aristolochia sp. A type of Birthwort Asteraceae Eupatorium cannabium Hemp agrimony Asclepiadaceae Marsdenia roylei Rajmahal hemp

Berberis aristata Barberry Mohania nepaulensis Berbery

Berberidaceae

Podophyllum hexandrum May apple Betulaceae Betula utilis Birch Bischofiaceae Bischofia javanica Bishop wood Burseraceae Canarium bengalense Bricaceae Lyonia ovalifolia Lyonia Capparidaceae Capparis spinosa Caper Plant Commelinaceae Commelina

benghalensis Dat flower

Coniferae Abies wabbiana East Himalayan Silver fir Compositeae Artimisia vulgaris Indian warm wood Caprifoliaceae Sambucus nigra Elder berry Compositae Saussurea Lappa Costus

Bauhinia purpurea Orchid tree Caesalpiniacea Bauhinia variegata Buddhist Bahunia Citrullus colocynthis Bitter apple Cucurbitaceae Trichosanthes bracteata

Coriariarceae Coriaria nepalensis Mussoorie Berry Cucurbitaceae Momordica dioica Wild gourd Caryophyllaceae Drymaria cordata Lightning weed Casuarinaceae Myrica esculenta Box myrtle

Eclipta alba Daisy weed Guizotia abyssinica Niger oil plant Spharanthus indicus

Compositae

Taraxacum officinale Butterwort Nasturtium fontana Water pepper Cruciferae

Taxus baccata Yew Cupressaceae Juniperus macropoda Himalayan Pencil Cedar

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Juniperus recurva Himalayan cidar Dioscorea deltoidea Cush Cush Yam Dioscoreae bulbifera Bulb bearing yam

Dioscoriaceae Dioscorea pentaphylla Palmata Leaved Yam

Ephedra gerardiana Ephedra Ephedraceae Ephedra sexatile Sikkim ephedra Ericaceae Gautheria fragmatissima Winter green Elacagnaceae Hippophae salicifolia Sea-buck thorn

Rhododendron anthopogon

Bearded Rhododendron

Rhododendron arboreum

Rhododendron

Rhododendron barbatum

-do-

Rhododendron campanulatum

North Western region chimal

Rhododendron cinnabarium

Rhododendron lepidotum

Ericaceae

Rhododendron setusum Castanopsis Indian Chesnut Fagaceae

Erythrina arborescens Himalayan coral bean Guttiferac Garcinia cowa Egg Tree

Geranium nepalense Geranaceae Oxalis corniculata Indian sorrel, Yellow

oxalis Swertia chirayita Indian gentian Swertia multicaulis

Gentinaceae Thysanolaena maxima Iridaceae Iris nepalensis Iris Juglandaceae Juglans regia Walnut

Asparagus racemosus Asparagus Smilax zeylanica Greebriet

Liliaceae Tupidtrs nutans

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Liguminosaea Acacia pennata Climbing acacia Lindera neesiana Cinnamomum camphora Camphor tree Cinnamomum tamala Cinnamon leaf

Lauraceae

Sindera neesiana Paris polyphylla Fritellaria cirrhosa Snake head Gloriosa superba Climbing lily

Liliaceae

Allium wallichii Wild Garlic Lavandula species Lavender Labitaceae

Melissa parviflora Loranthaceae Viscun articulatum Misttletoe Lobeliaceae Lobelia pyramidalis Lobelia Lycopodiaceae Lycopodium clavatum Staghorn clubmoss,

ground pine Aphanamixis polystachya

Cedrala toona Happy tree, Indian mohogoni,cedar

Meliaceae

Chukrasia tabularis Bastard Cedar , Indian mohogony

Cissampelos pareira Menispermaceae Stephania glabra False pareira Mimosaceae Entada scandens Matchbox bean, Garlic

Beans Ficus bengalensis Banyan tree Moraceae Ficus cunia

Myrsinaceae Maesa chisa Morus indica Mulberry Coelogyne cristata Orchid Dendrobium macraei Orchid Desmotricum fimbriatum Orchid Eulophia campestris Orchid

Moraceae

Eulophia nuda Orchid Meliaceae Toona ciliata Toon

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Oleaceae Fraxinus floribunda Himalayan Ash Ophioghossaceae Ophioglossum vulgatum Adder’s tongue Orchidaceae Dacylorhiza hatagirea Palma christi Papaveraceae Argemone maxicana Mexican poppy

Fagopyrum Perennial buck wheat Polygalla arillata Red-eye, Yellow

milkwort Polygonum viviparum Alpine knotweed Polygonum molle Rheum australe

Polygonaceae

Rumex nepaulensis Yellow dock Pittosporaceae Pittosporum floribundum

Aconitum ferox Aconite Acontium heterophyllum Atis root Aconitum biswa Aconite Clematis buchananiana Clematis

Ranunculaceae

Thalictrum foliolosum Meadow rue Rubiacea Paederia foetida Rooaceae Fragaria vesca Woodlabd strawberry Rubia cordifolia Indian madder

Potentilla fruiticosa Bush cinguefoil Potentilla fulgens Prunus cerasoides Himalayan cherry

Rosaceae

Rubus ellipticus Raspberry Citrus medica Adam’s Apple Evodia fraxinifolio Toddalia asiatica Wild orange tree Zanthoxylum acanthopodium

Zanthoxylum alatum

Rutaceae

Zanthoxylum oxyphylum Saxifragaceae Astilbe rivularis Sapindaceae Sapindus mucorossi Soap nut tree Scitaminaceae Ammomum sabatum Large cardamom, Nepal

cardamom

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Bergenia ciliata Rock foil Solanum dulcamara Dogwood, deadly

nightshade Solanaceae

Mendragora caulescens Mandrak Sterculiaceae Pterospermum

acerifolium

Hedychium spicatum Spiked ginger lily Scitaminaceae Musa sapientum Adam’s Fig, banana fig

of India Schrophulariaceae Pedicularis pictinata Pedicularis Sphagnaceae Sphagnum speices Pit moss, white moss Symplocaceae Symplocos racemosa Lodh Scorphulariaceae Picrorhiza kurrooa Hellebone

Duphne cannabina Nepal paper plant Thymelaceae Edgeworthia gardeneri Paper bush

Tiliaceae Elaceocarpus spaericus Ultrasum bead tree Heracleum wallichi Umbeliferae Selinum tenuifolium

Urticaceae Urtica parviflora Nettle plant Clerodendron infortunatum

Turk’s turban, tube flower

Vitex negundo Indian privet Nardostachys jatamansi Spikenard

Verbenaceaea

Valeriana jatamansi Indian Valerian Viloaceae Viola serpens

Alpinia galangal Greater Galangal, Siamese Ginger

Costus speciosus Costus Curcuma amada Mango ginger Curcuma zeodoaria Zeodary Curcuma aromatica Yellow zedoary, wild

turmeric

Zingiberaceae

Hedychium spicatum Banhaldi

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Annexure –XVI Plant species used for curing different ailments by the Lepcha tribe of Dzongu valley (Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve) in North Sikkim, India (Source: Pradhan, B.K. and Badola, H.K. 2008)

S. No.

Botanical Name Family Parts used and the methods

1 Abies densa Griff. Abietaceae Fresh leaves Juice is taken orally to relieve stomach pain and fever.

2 Aconitum ferox Wall ex Ser.

Ra nunculaceae Rhizome, extremely poisonous, is detoxified by continuous boiling with water for 24 hours or more and then cut into small pieces and dried. Dried pieces are chewed to cure cough, fever, skin diseases and to relieve gout pain.

3 Aconitum heterophyllum

Ranunculaceae Rhizome is dried up and taken to relieve body-ache, fever, cold, cough, nose discharge etc.

4 Aconitum spicatum Stapf.

Ranunculaceae Rhizome is detoxified by non-stop boiling with water at least for 24 hours, and cut into small pieces and dried, and chewed in case of food poisoning, diarrhoea, cough, inflammation of intestine. Dried rhizome is powdered and consumed to relieve

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body pain, ear and nose discharge.

5 Acorus calamus Linn.

Araceae External application of rhizome paste cures skin diseases and on the forehead in case of fever. Small piece of dried rhizome is taken curing distressing cough. Dried cut piece is given to child for speech clarity or to stammering child.

6 Aesandra butyracea (Roxb.) Baehni

Sapotaceae Fruit juice applied on the body before sleeping to soften skin; fruit edible.

7 Ageratum conyzoides Linn.

Asteraceae Leaf juice is applied externally to heal surface wounds. Decoction of herb is also given to cure stomach ailments such as diarrhoea, dysentery and intestinal colic with flatulence

8 Allium cepa Linn. Liliaceae Eating raw bulbs eaten raw reduces fever acting as cooling agent.

9 Allium sativum Linn.

Liliaceae Raw bulbs are taken in case of indigestion and altitude sickness. Bulb paste cures skin diseases, and the bulb juice is poured in the ear to treat earache. Bulb fried with mushroom act as antidote on snake bite. To drive the snake away from the vicinity

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of the house during summer months, the rhizome is crushed to mix into with water to sprinkle around the house.

10 Amaranthus tricolour Linn.

Amaranthaceae Curry prepared from green leaves stops diarrhoea. Seeds grounded into powder, mixed with water and taken as an infusion to cure general gastric problems. Beaten seeds are fried with butter and fed to pregnant women to lessen pregnancy pains.

11 Amomum subulatum Roxb.

Zingeberaceae Gargle with seed decoction with water, is used to treat teeth and gum infection. Pounded root mixed with water treats urinary infection in cattle.

12 Ampelocissus sikkimensis (Laws) Planch.

Vitaceae Plant juice cures sores in mouth and tongue of an infant, and treats foot and mouth disease in cattle.

13 Artemesia vulgaris Linn.

Asteraceae Crushed leaves inserted in the nose stop bleeding. Water, mixed with crushed leaves, in taking bath prevents and cures allergy. Raw leaves chewed are good for mouth ulcer; also find uses in rituals.

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14 Bauhinia variegata Linn.

Caesalpiniaceae Dried buds are chewed to cure ulcers and bleeding piles. During toothache bark juice is taken in the form of tonic.

15 Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb.

Saxifragaceae Crushed rhizome is tied around the fractured bone to heal; the paste is applied on the cuts and wounds.

16 Bischofia javanica Blume

Bischofiaceae Chewing raw leaves treat sore throat. Drinking bark cure diarrhoea.

17 Brassica campestris Linn.

Brassicaceae Seed oil is applied to wounds to speed up healing and prevent infection. Oil applied on forehead relieves headache. To keep hair black and healthy, the oil is applied with massage.

18 Calamus macracanthus T. Anders.

Arecaceae Juice of crushed leaves used as eye drop cures eye infection and other eye diseases.

19 Canna indica Linn.

Cannaceae Edible rhizome is boiled and taken during fever.

20 Cannabis sativa Linn.

Urticaceae Pounded seeds mixed with water taken in very minute quantity during severe body pain; the leaves given to cattle in flatulence.

21 Carica papaya Linn.

Caricaceae Raw fruit is crushed, squeezed and the milky

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extract given to females for aborting unwanted pregnancy.

22 Cedrela toona Roxb.

Meliaceae Bark is crushed and the paste is applied to cure ulcers. Flower is chewed to promote menstrual discharge in females.

23 Celastrus paniculatus Willd.

Celastraceae Seed paste is applied in case of skin irritation/allergy; good for gout.

24 Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) Nees. & Eberm.

Lauraceae Leaves are rubbed on the body surface of the scabies affected person.

25 Cissampelos pareira L.

Menispermaceae Plant extract is given to treat diarrhoea, dysentery, indigestion and urinary disorders. Root is used as antidote. Leaves applied on wounds heal and cure stomach pain.

26 Citrus aurantofolia Christum

Rutaceae Root powder mixed with water kills stomach worms. Fruit prevent vomiting sensation. Pounded leaves and seeds relive stomach ache in cattle.

27 Citrus medica Linn.

Rutaceae Chewing dried fruit skin helps preventing dysentery. Fruit is good for indigestion. Roots are tied together along with a copper coin and

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placed in women’s naval during child birth, which is believed to expedite the expulsion of the placenta after child birth.

28 Citrus reticulata Blanco.

Rutaceae Juice by squeezing fruit skin is applied into the eyes to cure eye problems; dried fruit skin chewed to treat stomachache, tonsillitis, fever, and headache.

29 Clematis buchananiana DC

Ranunculaceae Juice extracted by crushing fresh roots is inhaled, for having strong smell, to treat sinusitis and headache.

30 Colocasia antiquorum var. esculenta Linn.

Araceae Juice of crushed roots and leaves is applied on warts. Corms are eaten as vegetable. Fresh leaves and rhizomes are used to stimulate lactation in cows.

31 Coriandum sativum Linn.

Apiaceae Shoot is chewed raw to expel gas and bowel, helpful in digestion; mixed with Fenugreek and Thyme taken along with tea relieves stomach pain.

32 Costus speciosus Smith.

Zingeberaceae Rhizome mixed with sugar used to treat veneral diseases; being pungent, it is used as a substitute to zinger. Juice taken before breakfast cures urinary tract

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infections.

33 Cucurbita pepo Linn.

Cucurbitaceae Seed powder taken with water acts as vermifuge. Fresh leaf paste acts as a soothing agent if applied on the burn portion. Ripen fruits cure jaundice.

34 Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Zingeberaceae Rhizome powder taken with water relieves nausea, stomachache and expels gas.

35 Curcuma caesia Roxb.

Zingeberaceae Fresh rhizome is eaten raw to expel gas.

36 Curcuma longa Linn.

Zingeberaceae Drinking water boiled with root cures throat pain, cold, cough and fever.

37 Curcuma zedoaria Roxb.

Zingeberaceae Fresh rhizome paste is applied externally to cure skin diseases. Rhizome eaten raw cures diarrhoea and colic, and helps in digestion

38 Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers.

Poaceae Crushed root juice is taken to relieve piles. Root paste applied heals cuts and wounds. Boiled leaf and root juice help in treating diarrhoea and dysentery.

39 Daphne cannabina Wall.

Thymelaeaceae Root is crushed and the boiled juice is given during food poisoning. Raw leaves are fed to baby goats during

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diarrhoea and fever. Traditional paper is made from the bark and the stalks are used to weave mats.

40 Datura fastuosa Linn.

Solanaceae In case of rabid dog bite, seed eaten raw in very minute quantity. To treat asthmatic fits, smoke from burnt leaves is inhaled.

41 Dicentra thelictrifolia (Wall) Hk.f & Th.

Fumariaceae Taking water boiled with crushed root stops excessive bleeding in females.

42 Dichroa febrifuga Lour.

Hydrangeaceae Leaf powder is taken during fever. Ink is prepared from berries.

43 Dillenia indica Linn.

Dilleniaceae Fruit juice mixed with sugar and water is taken to treat fever. Fruit helps to relieve constipation. Leaves are used to treat dysentery.

44 Diplazium polypodioides Bl.

Filices Eating fresh and dry root helps stop dysentery.

45 Disocorea alata Linn.

Dioscoreaceae To relieve throat pain, rhizome is eaten raw.

46 Drymeria cordata Willd. ex Roem & Schult.

Caryophyllaceae The plant is warmed while wrapped in a cloth and emanating vapour inhaled in the case of sinusitis and nose blockade. Also, it is a remedy for headache. To relive sore throat pain, fever and headache, the plant

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either eaten raw or cooked.

47 Eleusine coracana Linn.

Poaceae Fermented seeds are taken with traditional drink as medicine during bodyache due to exhaustion. It is also given to the gastric patients.

48 Entada pursaetha ssp. sinohimalensis Grierson & Long

Mimosaceae Juice or paste of crushed bark is applied externally to cure skin diseases. Paste of seeds is applied to cure mumps. Seed powder is mixed with water for cleansing hair, and has an anti-dandruff agent.

49 Equisetum debile Roxb. Ex Vaucher

Equisetaceae Juice obtained from crushing aerial part is applied on the fresh wounds, nose bleeding etc. to clot blood.

50 Eupatorium cannabinum Linn.

Asteraceae Juice obtained through crushing fresh leaves and tender shoots is applied to cuts, and the remains are placed over the wounds to stop bleeding immediately and this is highly effective in the prevention of infection further.

51 Euphorbia pulcherrima Linn.

Euphorbiaceae Plant latex is applied on the toothache site to relive pain; this need great care as the latex is allergic.

52 Evodia fraxinifolia Hook. f.

Rutaceae Ripe fruit is boiled to crush and the paste is applied on

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the forehead during giddiness; chewing raw or dried fruit treat indigestion. Fruits are also used to make chutney.

53 Fagophyrum esculentum Moench

Polygonaceae Powdered grains are baked into chapattis (Bread) and given to treat diarrhoea.

54 Ficus cunia Ham. Moraceae The latex is applied externally to reduce boils.

55 Ficus hirta Vahl. Moraceae Root decoction treats food poisoning.

56 Ficus religiosa Linn.

Moraceae Water extract of any plant part is given during burning sensation of the genitals. Bark soaked in water and the water is taken to stop vomiting. Fruit juice is used in to treat cracked feet.

57 Gouania leptostachya DC

Rhamnaceae Past of leaves is applied to cure sores and inflammation.

58 Helianthus annus Linn.

Asteraceae Root decoction as a gargle relieves toothache; dried flower chewed cures ulcers, fever, cough and cold. Leaves crushed and mixed with water and taken bath cures Allergy and skin diseases are treated taking bath with leaves crushed into water.

59 Heracleum Apiaceae Dried fruits are chewed to

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wallichii DC. treat sinusitis and influenza. Root juice is taken to cure diarrhoea; seeds are locally used as chatni.

60 Hibiscus esculentus Linn.

Malvaceae Fruit mucilage acts as soothing agent on cuts.

61 Holarrhena antidysenterica Wallich

Apocynaceae Powder of barks, seeds and leaves is taken with water helpful in in dysentery.

62 Hordeum vulgare Linn.

Poaceae Gruel is made by the powdered grains and given in case of painful indigestion. Barley water with honey is prescribed in bronchial coughs.

63 Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn.

Apiaceae Fresh plant parts crushed and ingested orally cure sores of throat and lungs. Leaf juice is used as eye drops to cure eye infection. Dressing with leaf paste reduces swelling or and applied in wounds. Juice of shoots treats gastritis and constipation.

64 Juglan regia Linn. Juglandaceae Fresh bark juice is taken to remove worms from the stomach. Bark and leaves crush act as a fish poison. The nuts are eaten. The shell of the fruit when crushed gives out black color which was used previously to paint

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the door and the windows.

65 Kaempferia sikkimensis (King ex Baker) K. Larsen

Zingeberaceae Poultice formed from crushed bulbs is applied to heal bone fractures, dislocation and wounds.

66 Lantana camara Linn.

Verbinaceae The juice of crushed leaves is applied to the fresh cut and wounds to heal. Crushed leaves are tied over the sprain to relieve pain.

67 Leea macrophylla Roxb.

Leeaceae Seeds are wrapped, as small pack, in a cloth and tied around the neck of the children, which is believed to cure stomach pain. Also, the seeds are chewed to treat viral fever.

68 Lindera neesiana (Wall ex Nees) Kurtz.

Myrsinaceae Seeds crushed and taken with water stops vomiting sensation.

69 Litsea citrata Blume

Lauraceae Fruits are chewed to treat stomach disorders, headache; also used in making chutney.

70 Lobelia angulata Forst.

Lobeliaceae Whole plant is boiled and given in case of throat pain and fever. Tender shoot is smashed and the juice is applied externally to treat boils and inflammation.

71 Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. ex Hook. f.

Cucurbitaceae Juice of leaves cures conjunctivitis. Tender fruit is

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taken as vegetable. The course sponge of mature fruit is used as a bath scrub.

72 Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

Solanaceae Raw fruit is taken during indigestion and to prevent bleeding from the gums.

73 Marsdenia roylei Wight.

Asclepiadaceae Decoction of unripe fruit, root and leaf is to relieve burning sensation in the genitals.

74 Mentha arvensis Linn.

Lamiaceae Raw leaves chewed help to check stomach related disorders: gastritis, acidity, indigestion etc., also used to flavour chutney.

75 Mimosa pudica Linn.

Mimosaceae Decoction of roots is helpful to control piles; root paste is applied externally to cure boils.

76 Momordica charantia Linn.

Cucurbitaceae Fruit juice is good for diabetics; juice acts as blood purifier. Juice of tender shoot or root is applied at the point of snake bite.

77 Morus indica Linn.

Moraceae Bark and leaf decoction cures sore throat; fruit is edible and cures throat infection and swelling. Seed extract is applied to heal foot cracks.

78 Mucuna marcrocarpa Wallich

Fabaceae Seed powder taken with water helps remove round worm from stomach.

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79 Musa paradisiacal Linn.

Musaceae Person suffering from fever is advised to drink sap released from the plant directly.

80 Mussaenda frondosa Linn.

Rubiaceae Whole plant is boiled and decoction is given to treat fever, asthma and cough.

81 Nasturitium officinale R. Br.

Brassicaceae The aerial part decoction is given to relieve body pain; also eaten as salad.

82 Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz

Bignoniaceae Bark and seeds are powdered and mixed with water, and strained; the concoction is fed to patients suffering from high fever or pneumonia, which believed to restore health or brings down fever. Unbroken pod is also used in rituals.

83 Oxalis corniculata Linn.

Geraniaceae Whole plant is chewed raw and the juice acts as an appetizer; also checks boil. Fresh plant decoction taken treats dysentery. Fruit is consumed to lessen throat pain.

84 Paederia scandens Merrill

Rubiaceae Dried fruit is powdered and applied over teeth to relieve tooth ache and prevent tooth decay.

85 Pandanus nepalensis St.

Pandanaceae Tying or wrapping up the young and tender leaves

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John from upper part of the stem on the surface act as an antidote to snake poison/bite. It may also be chewed as breath sweetener. Fresh leaves act as cockroach repellant. Leaves are used for making mats, carry bags, fishing bags and for thatching purpose. Fruits are seen being eaten by monkeys and rats.

86 Phyllanthus emblica Linn.

Euphorbiacea Fruit is eaten raw to treat cough, diarrhoea, and dysentery.

87 Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.

Phytolaecaceae Fresh leaves are boiled and consumed to relieve bodyache and diarrhoea.

88 Picrorhiza kurroaa Benth.

Scrophulariceae Dried rhizome is boiled in water and taken to cure fever, cough, etc.

89 Pieris ovalifolia Ericaceae Leaves either crushed or mixed with water are rubbed on the body to reduce inflammation, irritation and allergies.

90 Piper longum Linn.

Piperaceae Dried seed powder paste is applied to reduce sprains; the powdered roots are given to treat cold and cough.

91 Plantago eroasa Wallich

Plantaginaceae Leaf paste is applied to heal wounds. Seed powder is taken with water treats

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diarrhoea and dysentery.

92 Polygonum viviparum Linn.

Polygonaceae Root juice boiled with water is given in case of fever and stomach upset.

93 Prunus cerasoides D. Don

Rosaceae Bark is powdered and applied externally on the fractured bone along with other processs of treatment; fruit is edible.

94 Psidium guajava Linn.

Myrtaceae Young leaves and tender shoots taken raw cure mouth ulcers, sore throat, cough, toothache. Drinking bark powder mixed in hot water is best local remedy for dysentery with blood in stool; fruits are edible.

95 Pteris biaurita Pteridaceae Mashed petiole extract applied on the cuts and wounds stop bleeding and infections.

96 Rhododendron arboreum Smith

Ericaceae Dried flowers crushed and mixed with water stop excessive bleeding in female. Fresh leaves chewed stop dysentery. Flower petals clear throat choking due to fish or chicken bone.

97 Rhododendron campanulatum D. Don

Ericaceae Leaves are chewed and the juice from the crushed leaves relieves cough.

98 Rhus semialata Anacardiaceae Sour juice of fruits is boiled

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Murr. with water, and concentration is further mixed with water and raw egg, treats diarrhoea and dysentery. It is also used as food preservative.

99 Rubia cordifolia Roxb. ex Fleming

Rubiaceae Root decoction with water is given to cure urinary infection; paste is used as an ointment to skin diseases. Root is also used to make dyes.

100 Rubus ellipticus Smith

Rosaceae Young shoot is chewed raw to relieve sudden stomach pain. Root decoction given to the children to get rid of stomach warm. Root paste is applied on forehead during severe headache; fruit is edible.

101 Rumax nepalensis Sreng.

Polygonaceae Juice prepared by smashing leaves and young shoots is applied to heal wounds. Root is crushed and the juice applied on the scalp prevents hair loss.

102 Saccharum officinarum

Poaceae Juice is taken to cure jaundice.

103 Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.

Sapindaceae Scalp is washed with fruit to remove dandruff and lice.

104 Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth.

Theaceae Bark is rubbed on the caterpillar infected portion

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removes its hair.

105 Semecarpus anacardium Linn. f.

Anacardiaceae Root paste (poisonous) is applied externally on the affected portion cures skin diseases. Decoction of the bark is given to the animals to treat worms.

106 Solanum khasiana C.B. Clarke.

Solanaceae Smoke, through burning the seeds, is directed to the infected teeth to cure toothache and tooth decay.

107 Spermadictyon suaveolens Roxb.

Rubiaceae Root paste is applied externally to relieve joint pain.

108 Sphagnum squarrosum Crome

Sphagnaceae Hunters and graziers use whole moss for dressing wounds in place of absorbent cotton or gauze. It is also act as an important source of fuel for them.

109 Stephania hernandifolia Walp.

Minispermaceae Paste of crushed leaves is applied on the boils for opening; water kept in bulbous root is sprinkled in the poultry farm to prevent from bird flu.

110 Swertia chirayita (Roxb. Ex Flem.) H. Karst.

Gentianaceae Juice obtained through boiling the entire plant is taken to cure fever, cold, cough, diarrhoea, and stomach-ache.

111 Thysanolaena Poaceae Root paste applied on boils

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maxima Kurtz. helps it in opening up faster. Juice from boiled roots used as gargle in case of bad breath and kills worms in stomach on drinking. Broom and roots are tied together along with a copper coin and placed in women’s naval during child birth, believed to expedite expulsion of the placenta after child birth. During wedding rituals and Pujas (Prayers) for newly constructed houses, individual stalks or bouquet are placed in several locations around the house to create an auspicious environment.

112 Tupistra nutans Wall.

Liliaceae Inflorescence is powdered and mixed with water and taken to relieve body pain.

113 Usnea sikkimensis

Parmeliaceae Hunters and graziers use it to bandage surface wounds and skin eruptions or boils. It is inserted in the nostril to stop nose bleeding. Shepard put it in the shoe to prevent or treat blisters.

114 Urtica dioica Linn. Urticaceae Root paste is applied on minor bone fracture and dislocation. Root and seed decoction is taken to treat diarrhoea and cough. Curry, prepared using shoot tips, is

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given to female during child delivery as their slipperiness is believed to help delivering child. It should not be taken by a person who has been bitten by rabid dogs which is believed to aggravate the problem. Stems are beaten, dried and boiled to make threads and woven into traditional nettle clothing. Spines believed to stimulate milk production, when cows do not lactate, they are believed to be possessed and beaten with nettles for normal lactating. Shamans beat humans during exorcism rituals with nettles in a belief to drive away evil spirits from body; this should not be touched or eaten by family members of deceased person on the day of death. If the decease is one’s father or mother, this prohibition remains for one year. Nettle is planted on the child’s grave in a belief that the evil spirit of child will not come out to trouble other family members.

115 Valeriana hardwickii Wallich

Valarianaceae Extract of crushed roots is taken to treat urine trouble.

116 Viscum Loranthaceae Paste prepared from the

181

articulatum Burm.f..

entire dried plant is applied to heal fractured bone, and dislocation.

117 Zanthoxyllum alatum Roxb.

Rutaceae Branchlet used as toothbrush to relieve toothache. Berries (2-3) taken to cure stomach ache and toothache. Berries are crushed and rubbed on the leg which acts as leech guard.

118 Zingiber officinale Rose.

Zingeberaceae Rhizome is roasted and chewed to treat cough, fever and throat problem.

Annexure -XVII Some Important and Rare Himalayan Flowers of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve

Family Scientific Name

Acarospora flava Acarosporaceae Sarcogyne sikkimensis

Baeomyces pachypus Baeomycetaceae B. roseus Candelariaceae Candelaria concolor

Cladia aggregata Cladonia applanata C. arbuscula C. bacillaris C. cornuta C. cyanipes C. delavayi C. fimbriata

Clandoniaceae

C. foliaceae

182

C. formasana C. furcata C. gracilis C. mitis C. orchrochlora C. paracitica

Clandoniaceae

C. phyllophora Collema hookeri Letogium azureum L. fallax L. menziessii L. pedicellatum

Collemataceae

L. tremelloides Graphis chlorotica G. duplicata G. longriamea G. sikkimensis G. persicina G. vittata

Graphidaceae

Phaeographis divaricoides Haematommataceae Hymenelia puniceum

Hypogyania lacustris H. enteromorpha H. hypotrypa H. pseudohypotrypa H. thomsoniana

Hypogymiaceae

Menegazzia terebrata Lobaria discolor L. isidiosa L. kurokawae L. retigera Pseudocyphellaria aurata P. clathrata Sticta cyphellulata

Lobariaceae

S. limbata

183

S. neocaledonica S. nylanderiana S. orbicularis S. platyphylloides

S. weigelii Lecanoraceae Lecanora chondroderma Mycobilimbiaceae Mycobilimbia hunana Nephromataceae Nephroma nakaoi Asan Nephromataceae N. sikkimensis

Bulbothrix isidiza B. meizospora B. setchwanensis Cetraria ambigua C. chlorophylla vainio C. delavayi C. everneilla C. leucostigma C. Melaloma C. nephromoides C. pallescens C. rhytidocarpa C. stracheyi Cetrariopsis wallichiana Cetrelia braunsiana C. cetrarioides C. collata Everniastrum cirrhatum E. nepalense E. vexans Hypotrachyna addicta H. exsecta H. flexilis H. imbricatula H. infirma

Parmeliaceae

H. koyaensis

184

H. masartii H. osseo-alba H. rigidula H. scytophylla Melanelia stygia Paarmelaria thomsonii Paraelia adaugescens P. pseudomarmariza Parmelina aurulenta P. expallida P. peresidians

P. subaurulenta P. wallichiana P. xantholepis P. nilgherrense P. pseudonilgherrense P. praesorediosum P. rampoddens P. reticulatum P. saccatilobum P. sancti-angelii P. subtinctorium P. tinctorum P. erosa P. aptata P. texana P. rudecta

Parmeliaceae

P. saxatilis Peltigera canina P. dolichorrhiza P. malaceae P. membranaceae P. polydactyla

Pelitigeraceae

Solorina crocea Peltulaceae Peltula obscurans

185

Pertudsriaceae Ochrolechia rosella Meconopsis napaulensis Meconopsis dhwojii Meconopsis horridula Meconopsis paniculata Meconopsis grandis Meconopsis simplicifolia Meconopsis napaulensis Meconopsis napaulensis

Papaveraceae

Meconopsis napaulensis Phlyctella himalayansis Dimelaena oriena Heterodernia awasthii H. comosa H. diademata H. firmula

Phlyctidaceae

H. himalayensis H. incana H. leucolelos H. obscurata H. pellucida H. podocarp H. rubescens H. tremulans H. togashii

Phlyctidaceae

Pyxine philippina Anthracothecium himalayensis A. leucostomum A. maculatum

Pyrenulaceae

A. variolosum Ramalina calicaris R. farinaceae R. gracilis R. himalayensis

Ramalinaceae

R. subcomplanata

186

R. tayloriana Rhizocarpon lindsayanum R. sikkimense

Rhizocarpaceae

R. superficiale Acroscyphus sphaerophoroides Siphula ceratites

Sphaerophoraceae

Thannolia vermicularis Stereocaulon coniophyllum S. coliolosum S. himalayense S. massartianum S, myriocarpum S. paradoxum S. piluliferum

Sterocaulaceae

S. togashii Teloschistaceae Caloplaca murrorum Thelotremataceae Diploschistes rampoddensis Trapeliaceae Trapelia subconcolor Trypetheliaceae Laurera sikkimensis

Umbilicaria indica U. thamnodes

Umbilicariaceae U. virginis Umbilicariaceae U. yunana

Bryoria asiatica B. bicolor B. himalayana B. lactinea B. levis Evernia mesomorpha Lethariella cladoniodes Sulcaria sulcata S. virens Usnea aciculifera U. baileyi

Usneaceae

U. cineraria

187

U. dendritica U. eumitroides U. fragilis U. galbinifera U. himalayana U. longissima U. montis-fuji U. nepalensis U. orientalis U. pangiana U. pseudosinensis U. robusta U. rubicunda U. sordida U. splendens

U. thomsonii Usneaceae U. undulata

Endocarpon nanum Leprocaulon arbuscula

Verrucariaceae

L. pseudorbuscula

Annexure - XVIII Conifers (Total: 16 species)

Scientific Name Common Name Abies spectabilis Himalayan Silver Fir Abies webbiana East Himalayan Fir Curpressus funebris Himalayan cypress Junipers recurva Drooping Juniper Junipers wallichiana Juniper Junipersus pseudo-sabina Juniper Larix griffithii East Himalayan Larch Larix himalaica Picea morindoides East Himalayan Spruce

188

Picea Smithiana West Himalayan Spruce Pinus griffithii Pinus longifolia Pinus roxburghii Chir Pine Pinus wallichiana Himalayan Blue Pine Podocarpus nerifolis Tsuga brunoniana Hemlock

Annexure -XIX Phenology and growth form of different plant species in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim.

Family Species Flowering period

Life-forms*

Growth-forms**

Aceraceae Acer campbellii Hook. f. &Thomas.

May-Jun Ph C1

Acer cappadocicum Gled.

May-Jun Ph Tr

Acer laevigatum Wall. Apr-May Ph Tr Acer oblongum Wallick. ex. DC.

May-Aug Ph Tr

Acer pectinatum Wallich. ex. Pax.

May-Jun Ph Tr

Acer villosum Wallich. May-Jul Ph Tr Achyranthes aspera Linn.

May-Jun Ph Ep Amarnathaceae

Amaranthus sp. Jul-Aug Th Sf Rhus insignis Hook. f. May-Jul Ph Tr Anacardiaceae

Rhus semialata Murr. Feb-Apr Ph Tr

Apiaceae Heracleum nepalense D. Don.

Jun-Aug Ph Cl

Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urb.

Jul-Aug Th Sf Aracaceae

Hydrocotyle javanica (Linn) Urb.

Jul-Aug He Sp

189

Arisaema costatum Martius ex. Schott

Jul-Aug Ch Gr

Arisaema rubescens (Wallich) Schott

Jul-Sep Ch Gr

Arisaema griffithii Schott. May-Jun Ch Tf Arisaema intermedium Blume.

May-Jun Ch Tf

Arisaema jacquemontii Blume.

May-Jun Ch Tf

Arisaema speciosum Martius ex. Schott.

May-Jun Ch Tf

Colocasia esculenta (Linn) Schott.

Jul-Aug Ch Tf

Gonatanthus pumilus Engler & Krause.

May-Jun Ch Tf

Pothos scandens Linn. Aug-Sep Ge Tf

Rhaphidophora dicursiva (Roxb.) Schott.

Jun-Aug Ge Tf

Acanthopanax cissifolius Harms.

Jun-Aug He Sp

Brassaiopsis mitis C.B. Clarke.

Jun-Aug He Sp

Gamblia ciliate C. B. Clarke.

Jun-Jul Ph Tr

Araliaceae Pentapanax leschenaultia Seem.

Jun-Jul Ph Sh

Aristolachiaceae Aristolochia griffithii Duchartre.

May-Jun Ph Cl

Asclepidiaceae Asclepias curassavica Linn.

Mar-May Ph Sh

Adenostema viscosum Frost.

May-Feb Ph Sh

Ageratum conyzoides. Linn.

Apr-Jun Th Sf

Anaphalis sp. Jul-Aug Th Tf Asteraceae Artinissia vulgaris Linn. Aug-Sep Th Tf

190

Eupatorium cannabinum Linn.

Jun-Oct Th Tf

Eupatorium odoratum Linn.

Jul-Oct Ch Tf

Gynura cushimboa (D.Don) S. Moore.

Oct-Mar Ch Tf Asteraceae Gynura nepalensis DC. Oct-Mar Ch Tf Balsaminaceae Impatiens sp. Mar-May Ph Sh Begoniaceae Begonia sp. Aug-Oct Ph Sh Berberidaceae Berberis wallichiana DC. May-Jun Ph C1

Alnus nepalensis D.Don Apr-Aug Ph Tr Betulaceae Betula alnoides Ham. Mar-May Ph Tr Brassicaceae Nasturtium indicum Linn. Apr-Jun Ph Us Bursaraceae Garuga pinnata Roxb. Jun-Sep Ph Sh

Lonicera glabrata Wall. May-Jul Ph Sh Viburnum colebrookianum Wall.

May-Jun Ph Tr

Viburnum cordifolium Wallich ex. DC.

Aug-Sep Ph Cl

Caprifoliaceae

Viburnum erubescens Wallich ex. DC.

Apr-Jun Ph Sh

Drymeria cordata Linn. Apr-May Ph Sh Caryophyllaceae Stellaria medica Apr-Sep Ph Sh

Commelina benghalensis Linn.

May-Jun Ph Us

Commelina paludosa Blume.

Apr-Jun Th Gr

Commelinaceae

Cyanotis vaga(Lour)Schultes & Schultes. f.

Jul-Aug Ch Gr

Cornaceae Nyssa javanica Wagerin. May-Jun Ph Tr Cucurbitaceae Colocynthis Sehrad. Jul-Oct Ph Sh Cuprassaceae Juniprus sp. Apr-Jun Ph Tr Cyperaceae Cyprus sp. - Ph Cl

Eleocarpaceae Elaeocarpus sikkimensis Mast.

Sep-Nov Ph Tr

191

Andromeda elliptica Sieb. & Zucc.

May-Jul Ph Ep

Ericaaceae

Rhododendron arboretum Linn.

Mar-Apr Ph Ep

Ericaaceae Rhododendron vaccinioides Hook. f.

Jun-Sep Ph Tr

Fabaceae Albizzia procera Benth. Jul-Aug Ph Tr Castanopsis hystrix Miq. Oct-Dec Ph Tr Castanopsis indica (Roxb.) Miq.

Mar-Apr Ph Tr

Castanopsis tribuloides (Smith) A. DC.

Apr-May Ph Tr

Lithocarpus pachyphylla (Kurz) Rehder.

Oct-Nov Ph Tr

Quercus lamellose Smith.

Aug-Sep Ph Tr

Fagaceae

Quercus lanata Smith. Jul-Aug Ph Sh

Flacourtiaceae Casearia glomerata Roxb.

May-Jul Th Sf

Aeschynanthus sikkimensis Stapf.

May-Jun Ch Sf Gesnariaceae

Chirita bifolia D. Don. Jul-Aug Ch Sp

Hamamelidiaceae Exbucklandia populnea R. Br.

Jul-Sep Ph Sh

Hypericaceae Hypericum japonicum Thumb.ex. Murray.

Mar-May Ch Sf

Engelhardtia spicata Leschen ex.Blume.

Apr-Jun Ph Tr Juglandaceae

Juglans regia Linn. Apr-May Ph Tr Ajuga lobata D. Don Apr-May Ph Tr Lamiaceae

Leucosceptrum canum Smith.

Jul-Oct Ph Tr

Beilschmiedia roxburghiana Nees.

May-Jun Ph Cl

Beilschineidia sikkimensis King.

Apr-May Ph Cr

192

Cinnamomum cecidodaphne Meissn.

May-Jun Ph Tr

Cinnamomum impressinervium Meissn.

May-Jun Ph Tr

Cinammomum obtusifolium Nees.

Jul-Aug Ph Tr

Lauraceae

Cinnamomum tamala (Buch-Ham) Nees & Eberm.

Jul-Aug Ph Tr

Litsaea citrate Blume. Sep-Nov Ph Tr Litsaea polyantha Juss. Apr-May Ph Tr Machillus edulis King. Nov-Mar Ph Tr Machilus gammieana King.

Mar-Apr Ph Tr

Lauraceae Machilus odoratissima

(Nees) Kosterm. Mar-Apr Ph Tr

Paris polyphylla Smith. Jun-Aug Ch Tf Smilax aspera Linn. Jun-Aug Ch Tf S.ferox Wallich ex. Kunth.

May-Jun Ge Tf

Liliaceae

Tupistra nutans Sep-Oct Ph Cl Loganiaceae Buddleja Asiatica Lour. Aug-Sep Ph Tr

Viscum articulatum Linn. Aug-Sep Ph Us Aporosa dioica Muell. Oct-May Ph Sh Glochidion acuminatum Muell.

Jul-Aug Ph Ep

Loranthaceae

Macaranga pustulata King.

Apr-May Ph Tr

Magnolia cambellii Hook. f. Thomas.

Apr-May Ph Cl

Michelia cathcartii Hook. f.& Thomas.

Apr-May Ph Tr

Michelia champaca Linn. Mar-May Ph Tr Michelia excelsa Wallich. Sept-Oct Ph Tr

Magnoliaceae

Michelia lanuginosa Wall.

Jul-Aug Ph Tr

193

Melastoma normale D. Don.

Apr-May Ph Tr

Osbeckia nepalansis Hook.

Jun-Aug Ph Tr

Osbeckia stellata Buch-Ham. ex. D. Don.

Mar-Jun Ph Us

Melastomaceae

Oxyspora paniculata (D.Don) DC.

Jul-Nov Ph Sh

Amoora wallichii King. Jun-Sep Ph Sh Cedrela toona Roxb. May-Jun Ph Tr Meliaceae

Heynea trijuga Roxb. Apr-Aug Ph Tr Menispermaceae Stephania rotunda Lour. Aug-Sep Ph Tr Moraceae Ficus cunia Buch-Ham

ex. Roxb. Aug-Sep Ch Tf

Ficus foveolata Wall. Jun-Aug Ph Us Ficus infectoriuss Linn. Jun-Sep Ph Sh Ficus nemoralis Wall. Jun-Aug Ph Ep Ficus roxburghii Wallich ex. Miq.

Jul-Aug Ph Tr

Moraceae

Morus laevigata Wall. Jul-Aug Ph Tr

Myrsinaceae Maesa chisia Buch-Ham ex. D. Don

Jun-Jul Ph Tr

Bulbophyllum affine Lindley.

Aug-Sep Ph Tr

Calanthe brevicormu Lindley.

Aug-Sep Ph Tr

Coelogyne cristata Lindley.

Jun-Jul Ph Ep

Coelogyne flaccida Lindley.

May-Jun Ch Tf

Coelogyne ochracea Lindley.

Mar-Apr Ph Tr

Habenaria pectinata D. Don.

Apr-May Ph Ep

Orchidaceae

Dendrobium funbriatum Hook.

Apr-May Ph Ep

194

Malaxis muscifera (Lindley) Kuntze.

Jun-Aug Ph Ep

Pleione Praecox (Smith)D. Don.

May-Jun Ph Ep

Piper boehmeriaefolia (Miq.) DC.

Apr-Nov Ch Sh Piperaceae

Piper longum Linn. Jun-Jul Th Sf Plantaginaceae Plantago erosa Wall. Feb-May Ph Tr

Arundinaria mailing Nov-Dec Ph Cl Poaceae Bracharia sp. Jul-Sep Ge Gr Aconogonum molle D. Don.

May-Jun Ch Sp

Persicaria capitata Oct-Mar Ph Sh

Polygonaceae

Polygonum Sp. May-Oct Ph Sh

Ranunculaceae Clematis montana Buch-Ham ex. DC.

Mar-Apr Ph Tr

Eriolobus indica Schn. Aug-Sep Ph Tr Rosaceae

Fragaria nubicola Lindley ex. Lacaita.

Jun-Aug Ph Tr

Rosaceae Neillia rubiflora D. Don. Mar-Apr Ph Tr

Rosaceae Prunus cerasoides D. Don.

Apr-Jun Ch Sf

Rosaceae Rubus ellipticus Smith. Jul-Aug Ph Sh R.nepalensis (Hook. f.) Kuntze.

Oct-Nov Ph Tr Rosaceae R.paniculatus Smith. Jun-Feb Ph Sh

Galium verum Linn. Apr-May Ph Sh Mussaenda roxburghii Linn.

Apr-Jun Ph Sh

Rubia manjith Roxb ex. Fleming

Jul-Aug Ch Sf

Rubus calycinus Wallich ex. Don.

Mar-Apr Ph Sh

Rubus ellipticus Smith. Jun-Nov Ph Cl Rubiaceae Rubus niveus Thumb. Mar-May Ch Sf Rutaceae Evodia fraxinifolia Benth. May-Jun Ph Tr

195

Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.

May-Aug Th Tf

Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb

Apr-Jun Ph Tr

Saruraiceae Saurauia napaulensis DC.

Jun-Aug Ch Sf

Astilbe revularis Buch-Ham ex. D. Don.

Jun-Feb Ph Sh Saxifragaceae Ribes graciale Wall. Jun-Feb Ph Sh

Drymeria cordata Linn. Jul-Aug Ph Tf Hemiphragma heterophyllum Wallich.

Jul-Aug Ph Us

Mazus dentatus Wallich ex. Benth.

Jul-Sep Ch Sp

Scrophulariaceae

Wulfenia amherstiana Benth.

Apr-May Ch Sp

Staphyleaceae Turpinia nepalensis Wall. Mar-May Ph Tr Symplocaceae Symplocos theifolia Don. Aug-Sep Th Cu Taxodiaceae Cryptomeria japonica D.

Don. Apr-May Ph Tr

Theaceae Eurya acuminate DC. Jun-Sep Ch Sp Thymelaiceae Daphne involucrate Wall. Apr-Jun Ph Tr Thymelaiceae Edgeworthia gardneri

(Wallich) Meissner. Mar-Apr Ph Tr

Debregeasia salicifolia (D. Don) Rendle.

Apr-Jun Ph Tr

Elatostema sessile Wedd.

Oct-Nov Ph Tr

Girardinia divursifolia (Link) Friis.

Apr-Jun Ph Sh

Laportia terminalis Wight.

Apr-Jun Ch Tf

Lecanthus peduncularis (Royle) Wedd.

Jun-Aug Ph Us

Urticaceae

Pilea Scripta (Buch-Ham ex. D. Don) Wedd.

Jun-Aug Ph Us

196

Urtica dioica Linn. May-Aug Ch Tf Agapetes serpens (Wight) Sleumer.

Mar-Oct Ch Tf

Vaccinium retusum Hook. f.

Apr-Oct Ch Tf

Vaccinaceae

Vaccinium serratum Wight.

Feb-Jun Ph Sh

Calicarpa arborea Roxb. Jul-Aug Th Us Verbenaceae Calicarpa macrophylla

Vahl. Jun-Jul Th Tf

Violaceae Viola canescens Wallich. Oct-Apr Ph Sh Vitaceae Cissus repanda Vahl. Feb-May Ph Tr

Hedychium aurantiacum Roscoe.

Jul-Aug Th Tf

Hedychium ellipticum Smith.

Oct-Nov Ph Tr

Zingiberaceae

Roscoea purpurea Smith.

Jul-Aug Ch Tf

*(Ph=Phanerophyte; Ch=Chaemephyte; He=Hemigeophyte; Ge=Geophyte; Th=Therophyte), **(Tr=Tree;Sf=Short forb; Tf=Tall forb; Cu=Cushionforb; Sp=Spreadingforb; Sh=Shrub;Us=Undershrub; Cl=Climber; Gr=Graminoid; Ep=Epiphyte; Cr=Creeper)

Annexure -XX Species diversity of vascular plant families of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim Family Genera Species DICOTYLEDONS Acanthaceae 1 1 Aceraceae 1 6 Actinidiaceae 1 1

197

Alangiaceae 1 1 Amaranthaceae 4 4 Apiaceae 9 21 Aquifoliaceae 1 1 Araliaceae 4 7 Aristolochiaceae 9 34 Asclepiadaceae 5 8 Asteraceae 48 123 Balanophoraceae 1 1 Balsaminaceae 1 12 Begoniaceae 1 3 Berberidaceae 4 4 Betulaceae 3 13 Boraginaceae 8 21 Brassicaceae 17 36 Buddlejaceae 1 3 Burseraceae 1 1 Campanulaceae 4 8 Cannabaceae 1 1 Caprifoliaceae 5 32 Carophyllaceae 9 38 Ceaesalpiniaceae 2 2 Celastraceae 1 2 Chenopodiaceae 2 3 Convolvulaceae 1 1 Coriariaceae 1 1 Cornaceae 1 1 Cucurbitaceae 5 5 Cuscutaceae 1 2 Diaspensiaceae 6 42 Dipsacaceae 4 4 Droseraceae 1 1 Ericaceae 9 42 Euphorbiaceae 6 8 Fabaceae 18 32 Fagaceae 1 2

198

Fumariaceae 2 20 Gentianaceae 7 33 Geraniaceae 1 7 Gesneriaceae 8 14 Grossulariaceae 1 5 Haloragaceae 2 3 Hydrangeaceae 2 3 Juglandaceae 1 1 Lamiaceae 13 19 Lardizabalaceae 1 1 Lauraceae 4 5 Lentibulariaceae 2 4 Lobeliaceae 1 3 Loranthaceae 2 4 Magnoliaceae 2 5 Malvaceae 1 1 Melastomataceae 4 5 Menispermaceae 3 4 Monotropaceae 1 1 Moraceae 2 2 Myrsinaceae 2 4 Oleaceae 1 1 Onagraceae 3 10 Orobanchaceae 1 1 Oxalidaceae 1 3 Papaveraceae 2 6 Parnassiaceae 1 4 Philadelphaceae 1 2 Phytolaccaceae 1 1 Piperaceae 2 8 Plantaginaceae 1 4 Podophyllaceae 1 1 Polygalaceae 1 1 Ranunculaceae 8 33 Rhamnaceae 2 3 Rosaceae 15 69

199

Rubiaceae 12 18 Rutaceae 5 6 Sabiaceae 2 2 Salicaceae 2 8 Sambucaceae 1 3 Samydaceae 1 1 Santalaceae 3 3 Sapindaceae 1 1 Saurauiaceae 1 1 Saxifragaceae 5 34 Schisandraceae 1 1 Scrophulariaceae 10 44 Solanaceae 3 6 Stachyuraceae 1 1 Sterculiaceae 1 1 Symplocaceae 1 4 Tamariceae 1 9 Theaceae 2 3 Thymerlaceae 2 6 Urticaceae 7 11 Vacciniaceae 1 7 Valerianaceae 2 4 Verbenaceae 2 2 Violaceae 1 5 Vitaceae 1 2 MONOCOTYLEDONS Amaryllidaceae 2 6 Araceae 3 13 Commelinaceae 2 3 Cyperaceae 9 13 Eriocaulaceae 1 1 Haemodoraceae 2 4 Hypoxidaceae 1 1 Iridaceae 1 1 Juncaceae 2 15 Liliaceae 17 25

200

Najadaceae 2 2 Orchidaceae 32 51 Poaceae 31 46 Smilaceae 1 2 Zingiberaceae 5 12 PTERIDOPHYTES Aspleniaceae 1 1 Athyriaceae 1 3 Cryptogrammaceae 1 1 Dicranopteridaceae 1 1 Dryopteridaceae 4 12 Equisetaceae 1 1 Gleicheniaceae 1 1 Hemionitidaceae 1 3 Huperziaceae 1 1 Lindsaeaceae 2 2 Loxogrammaceae 1 1 Lycopodiaceae 2 2 Monachosoraceae 1 1 Nephrolepidaceae 1 1 Oleandraceae 1 1 Peranemtaceae 1 1 Plagiogyriaceae 1 1 Polypodiaceae 7 12 Pteridaceae 1 4 Pteridiaceae 1 1 Selaginellaceae 1 2 Thelypteridaceae 1 1 Vittariaceae 1 2

Source: Botanical Survey of India

201

Annexure -XXI Some Endemic Plants in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve

Family Scientific Name Annonaceae Uvaria lurida

Acronema pseudotenra Apiaceae Anaphalis cavei Anaphalis cavei Anaphalis hookeri Anaphalis subumbellata Blumea sikkimensis Cacalis chola

Asteraceae

Calamus inermis Cremanthodium palmatum Crepis atropappa Inula macrosperma Jurineae cooperi Lactuca cooperi Ligularia kingiana Ligularia pachycarpa

Ligularia yakla Mahonia sikkimensis Berberidaceae Berberis umbellate

Caryophyllaceae Arenaria thangoenis Cyperaceae Carex kingiana Companulaceae Codonopis affinis Ericaceae Rhododendron sikkimensis Junaceae Juncus sikkimensis

Astragalus zemuensis Leguminosae Caragana spinifera

Orchidaceae Coelogyne treutleri Podophyllaceae Podophdyllum sikkimensis

Ranunculus sikkimensis Ranunculaceae Anemone demissa

202

Annexure -XXII

Eastern Himalayan endemics in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve

Family Scientific Name Betulaceae Betula urilis Campanulaceae Codonopsis foetens Caprifoliceae Lonicera mgnibracteata Dispsacaceae Dipsacus atratus

Agapetes incruvata Agapetes sikkimensis Rhododendron baileyi Rhododendron camelliaeflorum Rhododendron ciliatum Rhododendron glaucophyllum Rhododendron grande Rhododendron lanatum

Ericaceae

Rhododendron lindleyi Gentianiaceae Gentiana prainii Hypericaceae Hypericum filicaule Lauraceae Lindera heterophylla Liliaceae Lloydia flaconutans

Liparis perpusilla Orchidaceae Listera alternifolia

Pinaceae Abies densa Larix griffithiana

Meconopsis grandis Meconopsis superba

Papaveraceae

Meconopsis villosa Primulaceae Primula whitei

Eriobotrya hookeriana Geum macrosepalum

Rosaceae

Maddenia himalaica Tamaricaceae Myricaria albiflora

203

Annexure - XXIII

Rare, Threatened and Endangered plants of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim

Family Species IUCN category

Altitutde (m) Habit

Arisaema echinatum LR 3000 Herb Araceae Arisaema griffithii VU

2700-3000 Herb

Araliaceae Panax pseudo-ginseng LR 3000-4000 Herb

Aristolachiaceae Aristolachia griffithii VU 3000 ClimberBalanophoraceae Balanophora involucrata CR 2900 Herb Campanulaceae Codonopsis foetans EN 4300 Herb Caprifolaiceae Lonicera mangibracteata CR 3100 Herb Ephedraceae Ephedra gerardiana EN 4250 Shrub

Rhododendron anthopogon VU

4100-4200 Scrub Ericaceae

Rhododendron setosum VU 4200 Scrub Gentianaceae Gentiana prainii CR 4000 Shrub Hypericaceae Hypericum filicaule EN 3300 Herb Liliaceae Campylandra aurantica EN 2100 Herb

Cypripedium himalaicum EN 4200 Herb Orchidaceae Listera alternifolia CR

3800-4100 Shrub

Podophyllaceae Podophyllum hexandrum EN 340 Herb

Polygonaceae Rheum nobile EN 4200-4400 Herb

Primulaceae Bryocarpum himalaicum LR 3500 Herb Aconitum ferox EN 4000 Herb

Ranunclulaceae Aconitum heterophyllum EN

3800-4100 Herb

Taxaceae Taxus wallichiana VU 3000 Tree Valarianaceae Nardostychus grandiflora CR 4000 Herb CR: Critically endangered, EN: Endangered, VU: Vulnerable, LR: Lower risk

204

Annexure -XXIV

Plant species encountered from the Alpine Zone of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve Families/species Flowering

period Life-forms

RANUNCULACEAE (Buttercup family) Aconitum ferox Wallich ex Seringe Aug-Sep Ch A. hookeri Stapf Aug-Sep Ch A. violaceum Jacquem.ex Stapf Jul-Sep Ch Anemone obtusiloba D.Don. May-July Ch A. polyanthes D.Don Jun-July Ch A. revularis Buch.-Ham.ex. DC. June-July Ch A. tetrasepala Royle Jun-Aug. He Callianthemum pimpinelloides (D.Don) Hook.f. Thoms.

Jun.-July Ch

Caltha palustris Linn. May-June Ch Delphinium brunonianum Royle July-Sept. He D. drepanocentrum (Bruhl) Munz July-Sept. He D. graciale Hook.f.& Thoms. July-Sept. He D. viscosum Hook.f. & Thoms. Aug.-Sept. He Oxyraphis polypetala (Royle) Hook.f.& Thoms.

Apr.-June Ch

Ranunculus adoxifolius Hand.-Mazz. May-July Ch R. diffuses DC. May-July Ch R.hirtellus Royle ex D.Don May-Aug. Ch R. pulchellus C.Meyer Jun-Aug. Ch Thalictrum alpinum Linn. May-Aug. Ch Berberis angulosa Wallich ex Hook.f. & Thoms.

Jun-Aug Ph

B. concinna Hook.f. Jun-July Ph Corydalis cashmeriana Royle May-Aug. Th C. chaerophylla DC. Jun-Sep Ch C. juncea Wallich Jun-Jul Ch

205

C. meifolia Wallich Jun-Aug. Ch Meconopsis dhwojii G. Taylor Jun-Jul Ch M. grandis Prain Jul-Aug. Ch M. horridula Hook.f. &Thoms. Jul-Aug. Ch M. paniculata Prain Jun-Aug. Ch Braya oxycarpa Hook.f. & Thoms. Jun-Jul He Ermania himalayensis (Cambess) O.E. Schulz

Jun-Aug Th

Lignariella hobsonii (Pearson) Baehni Jun-July Th Pegaeophyton scapiflorum (Hook.f. & Thoms.) Marquand

July-Aug. Ge

Phaeonychium parryoides (Kurz ex Hook.f. & T. Anderson) O.E. Schulz

Jun-Aug Ge

Arenaria brayophylla Fern. Jul-Aug Ch A. densissima Wallich ex Edgew. & Hook.f. Jun-Aug Ch A. granduligera Edgew. ex Edgew. & Hook.f. Jul-Sep Ch Gypsophila cerastiodes D.Don Jun-July He Silene nigrescens (Edgew.) Majumdar July-Sept. Ch S. setisperma Majumdar July-Sept. Ch Thylacospermum caespitosum (Cambess.) Schischkim

July-Aug. Ch

Geranium nakaoanum Hara Jun-Aug. Ch G. wallichianum D.Don ex Sweet Jun-Aug. Th Impatiens bicornuta Wallich Jul.-Sept. Ch I. glandulifera Royle Jul-Sept. Ch I. stenantha Hook.f. Jul.-Aug. Ch I. urticifolia Wallich Jun-Aug. Ch Astragalus floridus Benth. Ex. Bunge Jun-Aug. Th Chesneya nubigena (D.Don.) Ali Jun-Aug. Ch Gueldenstaedtia himalaica Baker Jul-Aug. Ch Hedysarum sikkimensis Benth ex Baker Jul-Aug. Ch Parochetus communis Buch. Ham.ex D.Don May-Nov. Th ROSACEAE (Rose family) Cotoneaster microphyllus Wallich ex Lindley Jun-July He Fragaria nubicola Lindley ex Lacaita May-Aug. He Geum sikkimensis Prain. Jun-Aug. He

206

Potentilla astrosanguinea Lodd. Jun-Aug He P. coriandrifolia D.Don Jun-Aug. He P. fruticosa Linn. Jul-Sept. Ph P. microphylla D.Don Jun-July He P. peduncularis D. Don Jun-Aug. He P. plurijuga Hand. Mazz. Jun-Jul He Rosa sericea Lindley May-Aug. Ph Sorbus microphylla Wenzig Jun-July Ph Spiraea arcuata Hook.f. Jun.-July Ph SAXIFRAGACEAE (Saxifraga family) Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. Mar-Jul Ch Saxifraga asarifolia Sternb. Jul-Aug Ch S. brachypoda D.Don Jul-Aug Ch S. brunonis Wallich ex Seringe Jun-Sep Ch S. engleriana Harry Smith Jun-July Ch S. jacquemontiana Decne July-Sept. Ch S. lychnitis Hook.f. & Thoms. July-Aug. Ch S. parnassifolia D.Don Aug.-Oct. Ch S. pulvinaria Harry Smith Jun-Aug Ch S. stenophylla Royle Jun-Aug Ch PARNASSIACEAE (Parnassus family) Parnassia nubicola Wallich ex Royle Jul-Aug. Th CRASSULACEAE (Stonecrop family) Rhodiola bupleuroides (Wallich ex Hook.f. & Thoms.) S.H. Fu

Jul-Aug Ch

R. himalensis (D.Don) S.H. Fu Jun-Aug Ch R. quadrifida (Pallas) Fischer & C. Meyer Jun-Aug Ch ONAGRACEAE (Willow-Herb family) Epilobium latifolium Linn. Jul-Aug Th E. wallichianum Hausskn. Jul-Sep Th APIACEAE (Umbelliferi family) Cortia depressa (D.Don) Norman Jun-Aug Ch Cortiella hookeri (C.B. Clarke) Norman Jul-Sept. Ch Heracleum wallichii DC. Jul-Sept. He H. nepalense D.Don Jun-Aug. He Pleurospermum benthamii (DC) C.B. Clarke Jun-July He

207

Selinum tenuifolium Wallich ex C.B. Clarke Jul-Aug. Ch ARALIACEAE (Ivy family) Panax pseudo-ginseng Wallich Jul-Sept. Ge VALERIANACEAE (Valerian family) Nardostachys grandiflora DC. Jun-Aug. Ge DIPSACACEAE (Scabious family) Morina nepalensis D.Don Jun-Aug. Ch M. polyphylla Wallich ex DC. Jun-Aug. Ch ASTERACEAE (Daisy family) Anaphalis triplinervis (Sims) C.B. Clarke Jul-Sept. Th Aster himalaicus C.B. Clarke Aug-Sept. Th A. stracheyi Hook f. Jul-Aug. Th Cicerbita macrorhiza (Royle) Beauv. Aug-Sept. Th Cirsium falconeri (Hook.f.) Petrak Aug.-Sept. Th Cremanthodium nepalense Kitam Jul-Aug. Th C. oblongatum C.B. Clarke Jun-Aug. Th C. reniforme (DC) Benth. Jun-Aug Th C. retusum (Wallich ex Hook.f.) R.Good Aug-Sept Th Jurinea dolomiaea Boiss July-Sept. Ch Leontopodium himalayanum DC. July-Sept. Ch L. jacotianum Beauverd July-Sept. Ch Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch July-Sept. Ch S. gossypiphora D.Don July-Sept. Ch S. graminifolia Wallich ex DC. Aug.-Sept. Ch S. nepalensis Sprengel July-Sept. Ch S. obvallata (DC.) Edgew. July-Sept. Ch Senecio chrysanthemoides DC. Aug-Sept. Th S. diversifolius Wallich ex DC. Aug- Sept. Th Soroseris hookerana (C.B. Clarke) Stebbins July-Aug. Ch Tanacetum gossypinum Hook.f. & Thoms. ex. C.B. Clarke

Aug-Sept. Ch

Waldheimia glabra (Decne.) Regel Aug.-Sept. Ch CAMPANULACEAE (Bellflower family) Campanula modesta Hook.f.& Thoms. Jun-Aug. Th Codonopsis dicentrifolia (C.B. Clarke) W.W. Smith

Aug.-Sept. Th

208

C. thalictrifolia Wallich Jul-Aug. Th Cyananthus incanus Hook.f. & Thoms. Jul-Sept. Ch C. microphyllus Edgew Aug.-Sept. Ch C. lobatus Wallich ex Benth. Jul-Sept. Ch ERICACEAE (Heath family) Cassiope fastigiata (Wallich) D.Don Jun-Aug Ch Gaultheria pyoloides Hook.f. & Thoms. Ex. Miq.

Jun-Jul Ch

G. trichophylla Royle May-Jul Ch Rhododendron aeruginosum Hook.f. Jun-Jul Ph R. anthopogon D. Don Jun-July Ph R. campanulatum D. Don May-Jun Ph R. ciliatum Hook.f. May-Jun Ph R. fulgens Hook.f. Jun-July Ph R. glaucophyllum Rehder May-July Ph R. lepidotum Wallich ex. G. Don Jun-Aug Ph R. lowndesii Davidian Jun-Aug Ph R.nivale Hook.f. Jun-July Ph R. setosum D.Don Jun-July Ph R. sikkimensis Pradhan & Lachungpa May-Jun Ph R. thomsonii Hook.f. May-July Ph Vaccinium nummularia Hook.f. & Thoms.ex C.B. Clarke

May-Jun Ph

Androsace lehmanni Wallich ex Duby Jul-Aug Ch Primula atrodentata W.W. Smith May-July Ch P.claderana Balf.f. & Cooper Jun-July Ch P. capitata Hook July-Aug. Ch P. denticulata Smith May-Jun Ch P. deuteronana Craib July-Sep Ch P. glabra Klatt. Jun-Sept. Ch P. glomerata Pax Aug.-Nov. Ch P. irregularis Craib Apr.-May Ch P. macrophylla D.Don Jun-Aug. Ch P. petiolaris Wallich May-Jun Ch P. primulina (Sprengel) Hara Jun-Aug Ch P. reticularis Wallich Jul-Aug Ch

209

P. sikkimensis Hook.f. May-Jul Ch Gentiana algida Pallas Sept.-Oct. Ch G. ornata (G.Don) Griseb. Sept.-Oct. Ch G. phyllocalyx C.B. Clarke Jun-Aug. Ch G. tubiflora (G.Don) Griseb. Jul-Sept. Ch Megacodon stylophorus (C.B. Clarke) Harry Smith

Jun-Jul Ch

Swertia multicaulis D.Don Jun-Sep Ch BORAGINACEAE (Borage family) Trigonotis rotundifolia (Wall.ex Benth.)Benth.ex. C.B. Clarke

Jun-Aug. Th

SCROPHULARIACEAE (Figwort family) Hemiphragma heterophyllum Wallich Mar-May Ch Lagotis kunawurensis (Royle ex Benth) Rupr.

Jun-Aug. Ch

Pedicularis hoffmeisteri Klotzsch Jul-Aug Ch P. longiflora var. tubiformis (Klotzsch) Tsoong

Jul-Aug Ch

P. megalantha D.Don Jun-Sept. Ch P. rhinanthoides Schrenk Jul-Sept. Ch P. roylei Maxim. Jun-Aug. Ch P. scullyana Prain ex Maxim. Jul-Aug. Ch Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth Jun-Aug. Ch LAMIACEAE (Mint family) Dracocephalum wallichii Sealy Jun-Aug. Th Eriophyton wallichii Benth. Jul-Sept. Th Phlomis rotate Benth ex. Hook.f. Jun.-Aug. Ch POLYGONACEAE (Dock family) Bistorta affinis (D.Don) Greene Jun-Sept. He B.emodi (Meissner)Hara Jul-Sept. He B. macrophylla (D.Don) Sojak Jun-Aug He B. vaccinifolia (Wallich ex Meissner) Greene Aug-Sept. He Oxyria digyna (L.) Hill May-Jul Ch Persicaria polystachya (Wallich ex Meissner) Gross

Jul-Sept. Ph

Rheum australe D.Don Jun-July Ge

210

R. nobile Hook.f. & Thoms. Jun-July Ge EUPHORBIACEAE (Euphorbia family) Euphorbia stracheyi Boiss. May-Aug. Th SALICACEAE (Willow family) Salix calyculata Hook.f. ex Andersson Jun-Aug Th S. daltoniana Andersson May-Jun Ph S. hylematica Schneider May-July Ph S. sikkimensis Andersson May-July Ph CUPRESSACEAE (Cypress family) Juniperus indica Bertol. Jun-July Ph J. recurva Buch. Ham. ex. D.Don Jun-July Ph ORCHIDACEAE (Orchid family) Galearis spathulata (Lindley)P.F. Hunt July-Sept. Ge Orchis latifolia Linn. Jun.-July Ge Ponerorchis chusua (D.Don) Soo. Aug- Oct. Ge ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger family) Roscocea alpina Royle Jun-Aug. Ge AMARYLLIDACEAE (Daffodil family) Allium wallichii Kunth Aug- Sept. He LILIACEAE (Lily family) Aletris pauciflora (Klotzsch) Hand.- Mazz. Jun-Aug. He Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don Jun-July He Lloydia flavonutans Hara Jul-Aug. Th Smilacina purpurea Wallich May-June Ge Streptopus simplex D.Don Jul-Aug Th Trillidium govanianum (D.Don) Kunth Jun-July Th JUNCACEAE (Rus family) Juncus thomsonii Buchenau Jun-Sept. He ARACEAE (Arum family) Arisaema costatum (Wallich) Martius ex Schott

May-Jun Ge

A. grifithii Schott May-Jun Ge A. jacquemontii Blume Jun-Aug. Ge CYPERACEAE (Cyprus family) Carex sp. Aug-Sept. He POACEAE (Grass family)

211

Poa angustifolia Linn. Jul-Sept. He P. pseudamoena Bor Jul-Sept. He P. pratensis Linn. July-Sept. He (Life form abbreviations are as follows: Ph=Phanerophytes; Ch= Chamaephytes; He=Hemicryptophytes; Ge= Geophytes; Th= Therophytes) (Source: Singh et al 2005)

Annexure -XXV

List of fodder species of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim Species Vernacular name Habit Availability Forest Acer campbelli. Kapasey Tree Aug-Nov Acer laevigatum Kapasey Tree Aug-Nov Acer oblongum Putley Tree Aug-Nov Aconogonum molle Thotney Shrub Jun-Sep Artocarpus lakoocha Badar Tree Jul-Oct Arundinaria maling Malingo Shrub Round Bassia butyracea Chewri Tree Jun-Aug Betula cylindrostachys Saur Tree May-Oct Brachiaria sp. Bonsoghans Herb Apr-Nov Brassaiopsis mitis Chuletro Shrub Round Castanopsis tribuloides Katus Tree Jun-Aug Commelina benghalensis - Herb May-Sep Cyperus sp. - Herb Round Diplazium umbrosum Ningro Herb Round Pteris sp. Unyo Shrub May-Dec Erythrina indica Falado Tree Apr-Oct Ficus clavata Lutekhanew Tree Apr-Sep Ficus cunia Khanew Tree Apr-Nov Ficus foveolata Dudilhara Climber Mar-Dec Ficus hirta Khasrey Shrub May-Nov Ficus roxburghii Nebhara Tree Round

212

Ficus nemoralis Nebhara Tree Round Gamblia ciliata Khursimal Shrub May-Sep Garuga pinnata Dabdabe Tree May-Sep Glochidion acuminatum Lalikat Tree May-Oct Heynea trijuga Ankhatarua Tree Apr-Oct Litsaea polyantha Kutmero Tree May-Sep Macaranga pustulata Malata Tree Apr-Nov Machilus edulis Kawla Tree May-Dec Maesa chisia Bilaune Shrub May-Sep Morus laevigata Kimbu Tree May-Sep Mussaenda frondosa Dhobi Shrub Jun-Sep Pentapanax racemosa Chindey Climber Mar-Dec Prunus cerasoides Payun Tree May-Oct Quercus lamellosa Bajrant Tree Jul-Sep Rhaphidophora divursiva Kanchirna Climber Round Saurauia napaulensis Gagoon Tree Round Schefflera impressa Balu-Chinde Tree May-Oct Thysanolaena maxima Amliso Shrub Round Turpinia nepalensis Thali Tree May-Sep Vaccinium serratum - Epiphyte Apr-Dec Vitex heterophylla Panchpate Shrub Jun-Sep Zanthoxylum alatum Timbur Shrub May-Oct Agroforestry Alnus nepalensis Uttis Tree Round Arundinaria maling Malingo Shrub Round Bambusa sp. Bans Tree Round Brassaipsis mitis Chuletro Shrub Round Ficus cunia Khanew Shrub Round Ficus nemorallis Dudhilo Shrub Round Ficus roxburghii Nebhara Tree Round Prunus cerasoides Payun Tree May-Oct Saurauia napaulensis Gagoon Shrub Round Thysanolaena maxima Amliso Shrub Round Alpine /Subalpine Aletris pauciflora - Graminoi

d May-Sep

213

Anemone tetrasepala - Forb May-Aug Bistorta affinis - Cushion Apr-Oct Corydalis juncea - Forb Jun-Aug Gentiana phyllocalyx - Spreadin

g May-Aug

Geranium nakaoanum - Cushion Jun-Aug Hemiphragma heterophyllum - Spreadin

g Apr-Oct

Juncus thomsonii - Graiminoid

May-Sep

Pedicularis hoffineisteri - Forb Jun-Aug Phaeonychium parryoides - Cushion Jun-Aug Poa sp. Booki Graminoi

d Apr-Oct

Potentilla coriandrifolia - Cushion Jun-Sep Potentilla microphylla - Cushion May-Sep Potentilla peduncularis - Forb Apr-Oct Primula primulina - Forb Jun-Aug

Annexure -XXVI

Crops of buffer villages in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve Botanical name Local name Allium cepa Onion Allium sativa Garlic Ammomum subulatum Cardamom

Brassica gentia Rayosag Brassica oleracea Cabbage Colocasia antiquorum Colocasia Colocasia antiquorum Colocasia Cucumis maxima Gourd Cucumis sativa Cucumber Cucurbita moschata Pumpkin Eleusine coracana Millet

214

Fagopyrum esculentum Buckwheat Hordeum vulgare Oat Oryza sativa Paddy Phaseolus vulgaris Beans Pisum sativum Pea Pyrus malus Apple Sechium edule Squash Solanum tuberosum Potato Triticum aestivum Wheat Unidentified Pustakat Zea mays Maize

Annexure -XXVII Cropping season in the Buffer zone of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim Crop types Sowing period Harvesting period Ammomum subulatum Aug-Nov Brassica campestris Oct-Nov Mar-Apr Brassica gentia var. rugosa Oct-Nov Nov-Mar Brassica oleracea var. botrytis Aug-Sep Nov-Jan Colocasia antiquorum Feb-Mar Sep-Oct Cucurbita moschata Mar-Apr Jul-Nov Curcuma longa Feb-Mar Nov-Dec Dioscorea sp. Mar-Apr Dec-Jan Eluesine coracana May-Jul Oct-Dec Fagopyrum esculentum Oct-Nov Apr-May Glycine soja May-Jun Oct-Nov Hordeum vulgare Oct-Nov Apr-May Ipomea batatas Aug Dec Lycopersicum esculentum Feb-Mar Jul-Sep Oryza sativa Jun-Aug Oct-Nov Pisum sativum Oct-Nov Dec-Feb Raphanus sativa Nov-Dec Feb-Mar

215

Sechium edule Jan-Feb Jun-Oct Solanum tuberosum Dec-Jan Apr-May Triticum aestivum Nov Apr Zea mays Feb-Mar Sep-Oct

Annexure -XXVIII FAUNA

List of some important animals found in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve Mammals (over 144 species): Family Scientific Name Common Name

Budorcas taxicolor Takin Bos grunniens Domestic Yak Hermitragus jemlahicus Himalayan Thar Nemorhaedus sumatraensis Serow Nemorhaedus goral Goral Ovis ammon Great Tibetan Sheep Pantholops hodgsonii Tibetan Antelope Procapra picticaudata Tibetan Gazelle

Bovidae

Pseudois nayaur Blue Sheep or Bharal Cercopithecidae Semnopithecus entellus Hanuman Langur Cervidae Muntiacus muntjak Indian Muntjac

Canis lupus chanco Tibetan Wolf Cuon alpinus Wild Dog

Canidae

Vulpes vulpes Montana Tibetan Fox Felis temmincki Golden Cat Felis chaus Jungle Cat Neofelis nebulosa Clouded Leopard Panthera pardus Common Leopard Pardofelis marmorata Marbled Cat Felis bengalensis Leopard Cat

Felidae

Uncia uncia Snow Leopard Hystricidae Hystrix brachyuran Himalayan Crestless

Porcupine Leoporidae Lepus oiostolus Woolly Hare Manidae Manis pentadactyla Chinese Pangolin

Cannomys badius Bay Bamboo Rat Muridae Mus Pahari Sikkim Mouse

216

Rhizomys pruinosus Hoary Bamboo Rat Mustelidae Martes flavigula Yellow-throated Marten

Ochotona macrotis Large-earred Pika Ochotona curzoniae Plateau Pika

Ochotonidae

Ochotona nubrica Nubra Pika Eonycteris spelaca Dawn Bat Macroglossus sobrinus Hill long-Tongued fruit

Bat Megarops niphanae Short-nosed Fruit Bat

Pteropodidae

Sphaerias blanfordi Blandford’s Fruit Bat Callosciurus erythraeus Pallas Squirrel Petaurista magnificus Hodgson’s Flying

Squirrel Petaurista nobilis Gray’s Giant Flying

Squirrel Petaurista petaurista Red Giant Flyinf

Squirrel Ratufa bicolor Black Giant Squirrel

Sciuridae

Ratufa Tamiops macclellandi Himalayan Striped Squirrel

Chimarrogale himalayica Himalayan Water Shrew

Nectogale elegans Tibetan Water Shrew

Soricidae

Soriculus caudatus Hodgson’s Brown-Toothed Shrew

Suidae Sus scrofa Wild Pig Ailurus fulgens Red Panda Melursus ursinus Sloth Bear

Ursidae

Ursus thibetanus Asiatic Black Bear Miniopterus schreibersii Schreiber’s Long

Fingered Bat Murina tubinaris Scully’s Tube-nosed

Bat Murina huttonii Hutton’s Tube-nosed

Bat

Vespertilionidae

Murina autata Little Tube-nosed Bat Arctictis binturong Binturong Paguma larvata Himalayan Palm Civet Prionodon pardicolor Spotted Linsang

Viverridae

Viverra zibetha Large Indian Civet

217

Annexure -XXIX

Birds (over 550 species) Family Scientific name Type

Milvus migrans lineatus Vulture Accipiter virgatus affinis Hawk Buteo ruffinus rufinus Buzzard Buteo buteo burmanicus Buzzard Gyps himalayensis Vulture

Accipitridae

Gypaetus barbatus aureus Vulture Alaudidae Eremophila alpestris elwesi larks

Collocalia brevirostris brevirostris Swift Apodidae Chaetura caudacuta nudipus Swift

Aceros nipalensis Hornbills Bucerotidae Buceros bicornis homrai Hornbills

Pericrocotus ethologus laetus Minivet Campephagidae Pericrocotus solaris solaris Minivet Megalaima franklinii franklinii Barbet Capitonidae

Megalaima asiatica asiatica Barbet Caprimulgidae Caprimulgus indicus hazarae Jungle

Nightjar Certhia familiaris mandellii Creeper Certhiidae

Certhia nipalensis Creeper Tringa totanus eurhinus Sandpiper Capella solitaria solitaria Snipe Scolopax rusticola rusticola Snipe

Charadriidae

Ibidorhyncha struthersii Ibisbill Treron apicauda apicauda Pigeon Treron sphenura sphenura Pigeon Columba leuconota leuconota Pigeon Ducula badia insignis Pigeon Columba rupestris turkestanica Pigeon Columba hodgsonii Pigeon Macropygia unchall tusalia Pigeon

Columbidae

Streptopelia orientalis agricola Dove

218

Streptopelia chinensis suratensis Dove Dendrocitta formosae himalayensis

Tree pie

Nucifraga caryocatactes macella Nutcracker Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax himalayanus

Chough

Corvus splendens splendens Crow Corvus Macrorhynchus intermedius

Crow

Corvidae

Covus Corax Tibetanus Raven Cuculus sparveriodes sparveriodes

Cuckoos

Cuculus micropterus micropterus.

Cuckoos

Cuculus canorus bakeri Cuckoos Cuculus saturatus saturatus Cuckoos Cacomantis merulinus passerinus.

Cuckoos

Chalcites maculatus Cuckoos

Cuculidae

Surniculus lugubris dicruroiddes Cuckoos Dicaeum ignipectus ignipectus Flowerpecke

r Dicaeidae

Dicaeum melanozanthum Flowerpecker

Dicrurus leucophaeus hopwoodi Drongo Dicruridae Dicrurus hottentottus hottentotus Drongo

Emberiza pusilla Bunting Carduelis thibetana thibetana Siskin Carduelis spinoides spinoides Greenfinch Leucosticte brandti audreyana Mountain

finch Leucosticte nemoricola nemoricola

Mountain finch

Carpodacus rubescens Rosefinch Carpodacus nipalensis nipalensis Rosefinch

Fringillidae

Carpodacus erythrinus roseatus Rosefinch

219

Carpodacus edwardsii rubicunda Rosefinch Carpodacus rhodochrous Rosefinch Carpodacus pulcherrimus pulcherrimus

Rosefinch

Carpodacus thura thura Rosefinch Carpodacus puniceus puniceus Rosefinch Propyrrhula subhimachala Rosefinch Loxia curvirostra himalayensis Crossbill Pyrrhoplectes epauletta Blac Finch Pyrrhula nipalensis nipalensis Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythrocephala Bullfinch Mycerobas carnipes carnipes Grosbeak

Mycerobas affinis Grosbeak Delichon urbica cashmeriensis Martin Hirundinidae Delichon nipalensis nipalensis Martin Lanius tephronotus tephronotus Shrike Laniidae Lanius schach tricolor Shrike Anthus hodgsoni berezowskii Tree-Pipet Anthus roseatus Pipit Motacilla alba alboides Wagtail

Motacillidae

Motacilla maderaspatensis Wagtail Motacilla caspica caspica Wagtail Motacillidae

Motacilla citreola calcarata Wagtail Muscicapa sibirica cacabata Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea Flycatcher Muscicapa strophiata strophiata Flycatcher Muscicapa hyperythra hyperythra Flycatcher Muscicapa leucomelanura leucomelanura

Flycatcher

Muscicapa thalassina thalassina Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis calochrysea

Flycatcher

Rhipidura hypoxantha Flycatcher Rhipidura albicollis albicollis flycatcher

Muscicapidae

Pomatorhinus ferruginosus ferruginosus

Babbler

220

Xiphirhynchus superciliaris superciliaris

Babbler

Microura albiventer albiventer Wren Stachyris ruficeps ruficeps Babbler Paradoxornis unicolor unicolor Parrotbill Paradoxornis nepalensis humii Parrotbill Gurrulax albogularis albogularis Thrush Garrulax striatus sikkimensis Thrush Garrulax leucolophus leucolophus

Thrush

Garrulax rufogularis rufogularis Thrush Garrulax ocellatus ocellatus Thrush Garrulax caerulatus caerulatus Thrush Garrulax subunicolor subunicolor Thrush Garrulax affinis bethelae Thrush Garrulax erythrocephalus nigrimentum

Thrush

Leiothrix lutea calipyga Leiothrix Myzornis pyrrhoura Myzornis Pteruthius xanthochloris xanthochloris

Shrike-Babbler

Pteruthius melanotis melanotis Shrike-Babbler

Actinodura nepalensis vinctura Barwing Mainla ignotincta ignotincta Minla Minla strigula strigula Siva

Yuhina bakeri Whitenaped Yuhina flavicollis flavicollis Ilulus Yahina gularis gularis Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis occipitalis Yuhina yuhina zantholeuca zantholeuca Erpornis Alcippe chrysotis chrysotis Babbler Alcippe cinerea Babbler Alcippe castaneceps castaneceps

Babbler

Muscicapidae

Alcippe vinipectus chumbiensis Fulvetta

221

Alcippe nipalensis nipalensis Babbler Heterophasia capistrata bayleyi Sibia Cettia brunnifrons brunnifrons Warbler Cettia major major Warbler Cettia pallidipes pallidipes Warbler Cettia fortipes fortipes Warbler Phylloscopus affinis Warbler Phylloscopus fuligiventer fuligiventer

Warbler

phylloscopus maculipennis maculipennis

Warbler

Phylloscopus pulcher pulcher Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus newtoni Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides trochiloides

Warbler

Phylloscopus magnirostris Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides reguloides

Warbler

Regulus regulus sikkimensis Goldcrest Seicerus affinis Warbler Seicerus burkii burkii Warbler Seicerus xanthoschistos xanthoschistos

Warbler

Prinia atrogularis atrogularis Warbler Erithacus brunneus brunneus Indian Blue

Chat Erithacus pectoralis confusus Himalayan

Rubythroat Erithacus chrysaeus chrysaeus Robin Erithacus cyanurus rufilatus Robin Erithacus indicus indicus Robin Erithacus hyperythrus Robin Cinclidium leucurum Robin

Grandula coelicolor coelicolor Grandula Phoenicurus frontalis Redstart Muscicapidae

Phoenicurus schisticeps Redstart

222

schisticeps Phoenicurus hodgsoni Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros rufiventris Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogaster grandis

Redstart

Chaimarrornis leucocephalus Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus fuliginosus

Redstart

Turdus albocinctus Blackbird Turdus boulboul Blackbird Turdus rubrocanus rubrocanus Thrush Turdus ruficollis atrogularis Thrush Zoothera citrina citrina Thrush Zoothera dauma dauma Thrush Zoothera mollissima mollissima Thrush Zoothera dixoni Thrush Zoothera monticola monticola Thrush Zoothera rufiventris Thrush Saxicola torquata indica Bushchat Saxicola ferrea Bushchat Brachypteryx stellata Shortwing Brachypteryx montana cruralis Shortwing Myiophoneus caeruleus temminckii

Thrush

Cochoa purpurea Thrush Cochoa viridis Thrush Enicurus maculatus guttatus Forktail Enicurus scouleri Forktail Troglodytes troglodytes nipalensis

Wern

Cinclus cinclus cinclus Dipper

Cinclus pallasii tenuirostris Dipper Aethopyga ignicauda ignicauda Sunbird Aethopyga saturata saturata Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis koelzi Sunbird

Nectariniidae

Arachnothera magna magna Spiderhunter

223

Oriolidae Oriolus traillii traillii Oriole Parus ater aemodius Cole-tit Parus rubidiventris beavani Tit Parus dichrous dichrous Tit

Paridae

Parus modestus modestus Tit Lerwa lerwa Partridge Phasianidae

Tetraogallus tibetanus aquilonifer Snowcock Arborophila torqueola torqueola Hill partridge Ithaginis cruentus affinis Pheasant Tragopan satyra Pheasant Lophophorus impejanus Pheasant Lophura leucomelana melanoto Pheasant

Phasianidae

Gallus gallus murghi Junglefowl Hypopicus hyperythrus hyperythrus

Woodpeckers

Dendrocopos cathpharius cathpharius

Woodpeckers

Picidae

Dendrocopos darjellensis darjellensis

Woodpeckers

Ploceidae Passer montanus malaccensis Sparrow Prunella collaris nipalensis Accentor Prunella himalayana Accentor Prunella immaculata Accentor Prunella rubeculoides Accentor

Prunellidae

Prunella strophiata strophiata Accentor Pycnonotus leucogenys leucogenys

Bulbul

Pycnonotus striatus striatus Bulbul

Pycnonotidae

Hypsipetes madagascariensis psaroides

Bulbul

Sittidae Tichodroma muraria nepalensis Creeper Glaucidium brodiei brodiei Owl Glaucidium cuculoides cuculoides

Owl

Strix aluco nivicola Owl

Strigidae

Asio flammeus flammeus Owl

224

Sturnidae Saroglossa spiloptera Stare Troconidae Harpactes erythrocephalus

hodgsonii Trogon

Upupidae Upupa epops saturata Hoopoes

Annexure -XXX

Butterflies and Moths in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim (Butterflies: over 627 species) Family Scientific Name Common Name

Arenetta atkinsoni Badamia exclamationis Baoris eltola Baoris mathias Celenorrhinus badia Celaenorrhinus sumitra Celaenorrhinus pulomaya Celaenorrhinus patula Celaenorrhinus fusca Erionota aceroleuca Halpe separata Halpe kumara Halpe gupta Halpe aina Isoteinon flavalum Chocolate demon Ancistroides

nigrita diocies(Moore)

Iton semamora Pirdana rudilphii Pedestes masuriensis Pudicitia pholus Pamphila avanti

Hesperiidae

Rhopalocampta benjamini

225

Telicota augias Tagiades tabrica

Zographetus flavipennis Dodona dipoea Dodona ouida Dodona adonira

Lemoniidae

Zemeros flegyas Arrhopala abseus Arrhopala singla Arrhopala perimuta Arrhopala areste Biduanda cyara Abisara fylla (Doubleday) Dark Judy Heliophorus brahma (Moore) Golden Saphaire Jamides bochus Stoll (Cramer) Dark Cerulean Jamides c. celana (Cramer) Common

Cerulean Catapoecilma delicatum Charana mandarinus Camena icetas Camena cotys Cyaniris sikkima Cyaniris dilectus Cyaniris marginata Cyaniris albocaeruleus Cyaniris transpectus Chrysophanus phlaeas Horaga sikkima Ilerda sena Ilerda androcles Ilerda viridipunctata Ilreda brahma Jamidas bochus Listeria dudgeonii Liphyra brassolis

Lycaenidae

Maneca bhota

226

Nacaduba dana Orthomiella pontis Polyommatus boeticus Rapala scintilla Rapala rosacea Rapala buxaria Sinthusa nasaka Tajuria illurgis Tajuria illurgioides Tajuria diaeus Tajuria thyia Taraka hamada Virachola perse Zephyrus zoa Zephyrus duma Zephyrus ataxus Zephyrus syla

Zinaspa distorta Aulocera bhahminoides Aulocera chumbica Aulocera loha Aulocera padma Aulocera saraswati Amathusia portheus Apatura parysatis Argynnis childreni Argynnis gemmata Argynnis clara Argynnis altissima Argynnis pales Athyma jina Blanaida pulaha Cyrestis cocles Calinaga budda Cethosia biblis

Nymphalidae

Cynthia erota

227

Clerome arcesilaus Chomala masoni Danais tytia Aglais cachmirensis aesis (Kollar)

Indian Tortoise Shell

Aglais utica rizana (Moore) Mountain Tortoise Shell

Argyreus hyperbius (Johanssen) Indian Fritillary Chersonesia r. risa (Doubleday & Hewit)

Common Maplet

Danaus chrysippus (Linn) Plain Tiger Danaus genutia (Cramer) Common Tiger Euploea c.core (Cramer) Common Crow Euploea m. mulciber (Cramer) Stripe Blue Crow Euploea deione Herona m. marathus (Doubleday)

Pasha

Euploea diocletianus Melanitis leda ismene (Cramer) Common evening

brown Neope verma sintica (Fruhstorfer)

Straight banded treebrow

Euploea klugii Neptis ananta ochracea (Evans) Yellow Sailor Neptis hylas varmona (Moore) Common Sailor Orsotrioena m. medus (Fabricus) Niger Parantica sita sita (Kollar) Chestnut Tiger Parathima coma (Moore) Orange staff

seargeant Pareba vesta (Fabricus) Yellow Coster Paretic uglea melanoides (Moore)

Glassy Tiger

Ypthima asterope maratha (Moore)

Common Threewing

Euploea rogenhoferi

Euploea harrisii

228

Elymnias patna Elymnias vasudeva Enispe cycnus Euripus consimilis Euthalia duda Helcyra hemina Hestina nama Lethe scanda Junonia lemonias Junonia orithyia Lethe bhairava Lethe gulnihal Lethe latiaris Lethe sinorex Lethe distans Lethe vindhya Lethe serrbonis Lethe dinarbas Lethe margaritae Lethe verma Lethe sidonis Lethe nicetella Lethe siderea Lethe maitrya Lethe nicetas Lethe visrava Lethe tristigmata Lethe baladeva Lethe ramadeva Lethe sura Lethe goalpara Lethe atkinsonia Lethe elwesi Lethe moelleri Limenitis daxara

Limenitis zayla

229

Limentitis dudu Mycalesis perseus Mycalesis mineus

Mycalesis visala Mycalesis mestra Mycalesis suaveolens Mycalesis malsara Mycalesis nicotia Mycalesis misenus Melanitis ismene Melitaea orientalis Neorina hilda Neptis radha Neptis zaida Neptis nycteus Patala yamoides Precis iphita Rhaphicera moorei Rhaphicera satricus Symbrenthnia hippoclus Stichophthalma camadeva Stichophthalma nurinissa Venessa caschmirensis Vanessa c-album Ypthima sakra

Ypthima newara Colias fieldii Delias belladonna Delias sanaca Delias hierte Hiposcritia lalage Mancipium canidia Mancipium brassicae Mancipium melete Nepheronia hippia

Paplionidae

Papilio astorion

230

Papilio lathreillii Papilio dasarada Papilio janaka Papilio krishna Princeps a.arcturus (Westwood) Blue Peacock Princeps alcmenor (C.& R. Fedler)

Red Breast

Princeps castor polas (Jordan) Common Raven Princeps h. helenus (Linn) Red Helen Princeps memnon agnor (Linn) Great Morman Princeps p. paris Paris Peacock Princeps polytes romulus (Cramer)

CommonMorman

Princeps protenor euprotenor (Fruchtor)

Spangle

Pazala mandarinus paphus (De Niceville)

Spectacle Swordtail

Graphium cloanthus (Westwood) Glossy Blue Bottle

Graphium s. sarpedon (Linn) Common Blue Bottle

Atrophaneura polyeuctes (Doubleday)

Common Windmill

Papilio paphus Parnassius hardwickii Parnassius epaphus Teinopalpus imperialis Terias hecabe Terias leata

Terias rama Appias albina darada (C & R Fedler)

Common Albakross

Appias i. Indra (Moore) Plain Puffin Appias lalage durvasa (Moore) Spot Puffin

Pieridae

Catopsilia Pomona (Fabricus) Common Emigrant

231

Delias belladona ithiela (Butler) Hill Jezebel Delias d. descombesi (Boisduval) Red Spot Jezebel Gonepteryx rhamni nepalensis (Doubleday)

Common Brimestone

Hebormoia glaucippe (Linn) Great Orange Tip

Pieris canidia indica (Evans) Indian Cabbage White

Annexure - XXXI Moths (Total: over 2000 species, as per The Gazetteer of Sikkim) Family Scientific Name Common Name Attacus atlas Atlas- moth Attacus cynthia Actias selene Attacus ricini Bombyx mori Cricula trifenstrata

Annexure - XXXII D. Fishes (Total: 48 species) Family Scientific Name Local name /

Common Name Anguillidae Anguilla bengalensis Balm Channidae Channa orientalis Hilay

Acanthophthalmus pangia Gadela Noemacheilus beavani Gadela Noemacheilus carletoni Gadela Noemacheilus corica Gadela Noemacheilus devdevi Gadela Noemacheilus kangjupkhulensis Gadela Noemacheilus multifasciatus Gadela

Cobitidae

Noemacheilus scaturigina Gadela

232

Noemacheilus sikkimensis Gadela Noemacheilus spilopterus Gadela Schizopyge progastus Chuchey Asala Cyprinidae Schizothorax richardsoni Dothay Asala

Pangasiidae Pangasius pangasius Acrossocheilus hexagonolepsis Katlay Barilius bendelisis bendelsis Khasray Barilius bendelisis chedra Challay Barilius vagra Chirkay Balitora brucci Titay Danio aequipinnatus Bhitti Danio naganensis Bhitti Crossocheilus latius latius Lohori Buduna Garra annandalei Buduna Garra gotyla gotyla Nakutua Buduna Garra gotyla stenorhynchus Nakutua Buduna Garra lamta Nakutua Buduna Garra mcclelland Buduna Garra mullya Nakutua Buduna Labeo dero Gardi Labeo pangusia Theyr Semiplotus semiplotus Chepti

Rasborinae

Tor putitora Sahar Salmonidae Salmo trutta fario Trout Schilbeidae Clupisoma bhandarii Jalkopoor

Bagarius bagarius Gonch Euchiloglansis hodgarti Lulay

Sisoridae

Glyplothorax basnetti Dhodray Glyplothorax bhutiai Kahray Glyplothorax conirostrae Kahray Glyplothorax deyi Kahray Glyplothorax gracilis Kahray Glyplothorax sinense manipurensis Kahray Glyplothorax sinense sikkimensis Kahray

Sisoridae

Glyplothorax trilineatus Kahray

233

Laguvia ribeiroi ribeiroi Gona Machha Laguvia ribeiroi jorethangensis Gona Machha

Pseudecheneis sulcatus Kabray

Annexure - XXXIII E. Amphibians (Total: 16 species) Family Scientific Name Common Name BUFONIDAE Bufo himalayanus

Bufo melanosictus Scutiger sikkimensis

MICROHYLIDAE Mecrohyla ornate Uperodon globulosum

PELOBATIDAE Megophrys parva Megophrys robusta

ICHTHYOPHIDAE Ichthyophis sikkimensis RANIDAE Amolops afghanus

Rana alticola Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Rana cyanophlyctis) Amolops gerbillus (Rana gerbillus) Fejervarya limnocharia (Rana limnocharis) Paa liebigii (Rana lieigii) Rana livida Rana sikkimensis

RHACOPHORIDAE Philautus annandalii Polypedates leucomystax Rhocophorus maximus Rhacophorus jerdonii

SALAMANDRIDAE Trilototriton verrucisus

234

Annexure - XXXIV F. Reptiles (over 16 species) Scientific Name Common Name Ancistrodon himalayanus Pit-viper Amblycephalus monticola Blunt-headed Snake Bungarus coeruleus Kriat Bungarus bungaroides Banded-Kriat Callophis maclellandii Dryophis prasinus Whip-snake Japalura variegate Chameleon Naia tripudians Common cobra Naia bungarus Giant Cobra Ophisaurus gracilis Glass-snake Tropidonotus macrophthalmus Trimeresurus monticola Pit –viper Trimeresurus carinatus Green Pit-viper Trimeresurus gramineus Red Pit-viper Zaocys nigromarginatus Cool Forest Snake Zamenis mucosus Rat Snake

Annexure - XXXV List of Threatened Birds reported from Khanchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve (Sikkim’s biggest Important Bird Area) Vulnerable species

Species Scientific Name Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis flavirostris Black-browed Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus cantator Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Pallas’s Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucorphus

235

White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri Biome Restricted Species (B5- Eurasian high montane alpine and Tibetan; B7 – Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest; B 8- Sino-Himalayan subtropical forest; B 9- Indochinese tropical moist forests) Species Scientific Name Aberrant Bush- Warbler Cettia favolivacea B-7

Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris B-5 Altai Accentor Prunella himalayana B-5

Bar-throated Minla Minla strigula B-7 Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus B-8

Black headed Mountain-Finch Leucosticte brandti B-5

Black-chinned Yuhina Yuhina nigrimenta B-8

Black-faced Flycatcher-Warbler

Abroscopus schisticeps B-8

Black-faced Laughingthrush Garrulax affinis B-7

Black-spotted Yellow Tit Parus spilonotus B-8 Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata B-8

Black-winged Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina melaschistos B-8

Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus B-7

Blue-winged Minla Minla cyanouroptera B-8

Brown Bullfinch Pyrrhula nipalensis B-7

Brown Crested Tit Parus dichrous B-7 Brown Parrotbill Paradoxornis unicolor B-7

236

Chestnut-crowned Bush-Warbler

Cettia major B-7

Chestnut-headed Tesia Tesia castaneocoronata B-7

Collared Grosbeak Mycerobas affinis B-7

Common Great Rosefinch Carpodacus rubicilla B-5

Common Hill-Partridge Arborophilla torqueola B-7

Cutia Cutia nipalensis B-8 Darjeeling Pied Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis B-7

Dark-breasted Rosefinch Capodacus nipalensis B-7

Dark-rumped Rosefinch Carpodacus edwardsii B-7

Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda B-7

Gold-breasted Tit-Babbler Alcippe chrysotis B-7

Golden Bush-Robin Tarsiger chrysaeus B-7

Golden-throated Barbet Megalaima franklinii B-8

Gold-naped Black Finch Pyrrhoplectes epauletta B-7

Gould’s Shortwing Brachypteryx stellata B-7

Grandala Grandala coelicolor B-5

Greater Long-billed Thrush Zoothera monticola B-7

Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush

Garrulax pectoralis B-9

Greater Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler

Pnoepyga albiventer B-7

Green Cochoa Cochoa viridis B-8

237

Green Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius xanthochlorus B-7

Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus B-7

Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae B-8

Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus B-5

Grey-cheeked Flycathcher-Warbler

Spicercus pliogenys B-7

Grey-faced Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis

B-7

Grey-headed Flycatcher-Warbler

Seicercus xanthoschistos B-8

Grey-sided Bush-Warbler Cettia bunnifrons B-7

Grey-sided Laughingthrush Garrulax caerulatus B-8

Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul B-8 Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis B-5

Hodgson’s Mountain-Finch Leucosticte nemoricola B-5

Hodgson’s Redstart Phoenicurus hodgsoni B-5

Impeyan Monal Lophophorus impejanus B-7

Indian Blue Robin Luscinia brunnea B-7

Large-billed Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris B-7

Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush

Garrulax monileger B-9

Long-billed Calandra-Lark Melanocorypha maxima B-5

Long-tailed Thrush Zoothera dixoni B-7 Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii B-8 Maroon-backed Accentor Prunella immaculata B-7

238

Myzornis Myzornis pyrrhoura B-7

Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalensis B-7

Nepal Tit-Babbler Alcippe nipalensis B-8

Orange-barred Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher B-7

Orange-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata B-7

Plain-backed Thrush Zoothera mollissima B-5

Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea B-8 Red-fronted Rosefinch Carpodacus puniceus B-5

Red-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythrocephala B-7

Red-headed Tit Aegithalos concinnus B-8

Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta B-7 Robin Accentor Prunella rubeculoides B-5

Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus B-5 Rufous – breasted Accentor Prunella strophiata B-7

Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrata B-7

Rufous-bellied Crested Tit Parus rubidiventris B-7

Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara B-7 Rufous-bellied Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius rufiventer B-8

Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin Tarsiger hyperythrus B-7

Rufous-fronted Tit Aegithalos iouschistos B-7

Rufous-vented Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis B-7

Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babblr

Pomatorhinus erythrogenys

B-8

239

Rusty-flanked Tree-Creeper Certhia nipalensis B-7

Rusty-fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni B-8

Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra B-7 Scaly Laughingthrush Garrulax subunicolor B-7

Scarlet Finch Haematospiza sipahi B-7

Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevirostris B-8

Slaty-backed flycatcher Ficedula hodgsonii B-7

Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor B-7 Slaty-headed Parakeet Psittacula himalayana B-8

Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler

Xiphirhynchus superciliaris B-7

Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae B-8

Smoky Warbler Phylloscopus fuligiventer B-5

Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa B-5 Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota B-5

Solitary Snipe Gallinago solitaria B-5

Speckled Wood-Pegion Columba hodgsonii B-7

Streaked Great Rosefinch Carpodacus rubicilloides B-5

Striated Laughingthrush

Garrulax striatus B-7

Stripe-throated Yuhina

Yuhina gularis B-7

Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea B-9

Tibetan Partridge Perdix hodgsoniae B-5

240

Tibetan Siskin Serinus thibetanus B-7

Tibetan Snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus B-5

Tickell’s Warbler Phylloscopus affinis B-5

Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria B-5

White-browed Bush-Robin Tarsiger indicus B-7

White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus thura B-7

White-browed Tit-Babbler Alcippe vinipectus B-7

White-collared Blackbird Turdus albocinctus B-7

White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis B-7

White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucurum B-8

White-throated Laughingthrush

Garrulax albogularis B-7

White-throated Redstart Phoenicurus schisticeps B-7

White-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas carnipes B-7

Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum melanoxanthum B-7

Yellow-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa flavirostris B-7

Yellow-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus B-5

Yellow-breasted Greenfinch Carduelis spinoides B-7

Yellow-rumped Honeyguide Indicator xanthonotus B-7

Yellow-throated Tit-Babbler Alcippe cinerea B-8

Source: DFE&WM, Sikkim; BNHS, Mumbai & BI, UK (2005)

241

Annexure - XXXVI Globally Significant Wildlife in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve Mammals Scientific Name IUCN Status

Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa Vulnerable

Ghoral Nemorhaedus goral Near Threatened

Himalayan black bear Ursus thibetanus Vulnerable

Himalayan thar Hemitragus jemlahicus Vulnerable

Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata Vulnerable

Musk deer Moschus chrysogaster Near Threatened

Red Panda Ailrus fulgens Endangered

Serow Capricornis sumatraensis Vulnerable

Snow leopard Uncia uncia Endangered

Birds Scientific Name IUCN Status

Crimson horned pheasant

Tragopan satyra Near Threatened

Rufous-necked hornbill Aceros nipalensis Vulnerable

(Source: Anon 2004)

Annexure -XXXVII

Natural Landforms in the Khangchrendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim Mountains & Peaks Name Locations Height (m) 1. Mt. Khangchendzonga West District 8586 2. Talung Peak do 7349 3. Mt. Pandim do 6691 4. Rathong Peak do 6678 5. Kokthang Paek do 6147 6. Goechala Peak do 6115 7. Mt. Narsing do 5825

242

8. Lhokhamburich Peak do 5497 9. Pyramid Peak do 10. Kabur Nortrh Peak do 11. Kabur South Peak do 12. Forked Peak do 13. Pharek Peak do 14.Tent Peak North District 7365 15.The Twins do 7350 16. Nepal Peak do 7150 17.Mt. Siniolchu do 6886 18.. Mt. Simvo do 6811 19. Jhopuno Peak do 5936 20.Lamo Angdang Peak do 5868 21. Yajuknamteng Peak do 5643 22. Paki Lho Peak do 4144 23. Singdamringu Peak do 3751 24. Ungbunram Khang Peak do

Annexure -XXXVIII

Glaciers and lakes in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim Glaciers Location Lakes 1. Zemu Glacier - 26 Km, long and about 300m. wide and largest in the area

North District

1. Lhonak Tso

2. Tent Peak Glacier do 2. Green lake 3. Nepal Gap Glacier do 3. Langpo Lake 4. Zumthul Phuk Glacier do 4. Dudh Pokhari 5. south Lhonak Glacier do 5. Bhale Dudh Pokhari 6. Talung Glacier do 6.Nor Pokhari 7. Siniolchu Glacier do 7. Sungmoteng Chho 8. Simvo Glacier do 8. Tikuchia Pokahri 9. South Simvo Glacier do 9. Mujur Pokhari 10. Twins Glacier do 10. Leduwa Pokhari 11. Hidden Glacier do 11. Dalley Pokhari 12. Eaat Langpo Glacier do 12. Lam Pokhari

243

13. Changsang Glacier do 13. Tinkoney Pokhari 14. Thekang Kiong Glacier West

District 14. Sukhe Pokhari

15. Tongshiong Glacier do 15. Lamgepui Chho 16. Jonsang Glacier do 16. Kishong Chho 17. Onglakthang Glacier do 17. Shingo Chho 18. East Rathong Glacier do 18. Simane Pokhari

244

Annexure -XXXIX

GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM FORESTS, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

DEPARTMENT WILDLIFE SECTOR, FOREST SECRETARIAT,GANGTOK

Thangu village,North Sikkim (!7,000 ft.altitude)

MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN (MAP) 2009-2010

245

KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE-SIKKIM

KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

CONTENTS

1. Management Action Plan for Conservation and Management of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim for the year 2009-10

2. Justification of individual work components proposed and

approved in the State Level Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve Committee and Stakeholders Meeting held in Forest Conference Hall, Gangtok on 09/06/2009

3. Minutes of the State Level Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve Committee and Stakeholders Meeting held in Forest Conference Hall, Gangtok on 09/06/2009.

3. Progress Report and Utilization Certificate of the amount released to the State Government during November 08, and implemented in the year 2008-09.

=======XXXXXXX=======

246

SCHEME: Management Action Plan (MAP) for Conservation and Management of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve–Sikkim 2009-10

Financial target and proposed outlay (Rs. In lakhs)

Item of Activities

Physical Target Ha.& Nos. with locations

Financial Target

Rate/ Unit/ No.(in Rs.)

Proposed Outlay

A ECO-DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

1.

Toilets for poor families of Buffer villages

30 Families, beneficiaries: i) Chungthang Range-10 families ii) Dzongu Range - 10 families iii) Yuksom Range - 10 families

16.50 55,000/ Fam. 16.50

2. Broom-grass plantation

45 ha, beneficiaries: i) Chungthang Range-15 ha ii) Dzongu Range - 15 ha iii) Yuksom Range - 15ha

5.12 11383/ha 5.12

3 Distribution of LPG Cylinder

90 beneficiaries: i) Chungthang Range-30 families ii) Dzongu Range - 30 families iii) Yuksom Range - 30 families

3.60 4000/ Set 3.60

Sub Total 25.22 25.22

B SOCIAL WELFARE ACTIVITIES

1 Cattle Immunization

180 Livestock i) Chungthang Range-50 Nos. ii) Dzongu Range - 40 Nos iii) Yuksom Range - 90 Nos._

3.00 L.S 3.00

2 Health Camp Health Check-up for the public of KNP-buffer villages 2.00 L.S 2.00

3 Pressure Cooker

Distribution of low fuel wood device e.g., Pressure Cookers-300 families

6.00 Rs.2000/-each 6.00

4 Nature trip Exposure/Nature trip for village elders/EDCs and students of KNP-buffer villages

2.00 L.S 2.00

5.

Construction of Crematorium Shed

05Nos. Nesha-02, Upper Linzya-01, Sakyong-01, Deorali Dara-Naku-1

12.50 2.50 lakhs/No 12.50

Sub Total 25.50 25.50

C HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. Bamboo Plantation

60 ha. i) Chungthang Range-20 ha ii) Dzongu Range - 20 ha. iii) Yuksom Range – 20 ha

15.08 25143/-ha. 15.08

3. Maintenance of 2nd year plantation

30 Ha. bamboo plantation. i) Khyongtey,Kongri,Nesha-10 ha. ii) Thomch-Chungthang - 10 ha. iii) Sangnok, Dzongu - 10 ha.

2.40 8000/-ha. 2.40

247

Financial target and proposed outlay (Rs. In lakhs) Sl.

No

Item of

Activities

Physical Target Ha.&Nos. and

locations

Financial

Target Rate/ Unit

Proposed

Outlay

3.

Improvement

and

maintenance

of high

altitude water-

bodies

6 Nos.

i)LamPokhri,Tshoka,-2 Nos.

ii) Bikmater &Talem, - 2 Nos.

iii) Kishong&Dawatsho, - 2 Nos

12.00 2.00

lakh/No 12.00

4.

Plantation of

wild fruit &

fodder plants

30 ha.

i) Chungthang Range-10 ha

ii) Dzongu Range - 10 ha.

iii) Yuksom Range – 10 ha

6.56 21883/ha 6.56

Sub Total 36.04 36.04

D INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

1

Audio-visual

equipments,

CDs

Computers,

posters,Maps

Books, etc.

In the Wildlife Interpretation Centre

at Yuksom, West Sikkim.

10.00.

LS

10.00

2 Renovation of

Log Huts

i) Dzongri, -1 No.

ii) Satdharey, Leek - 1 No.

8.00 4.00

lakhs/No. 8.00

3

Construction

of Trekking

Trails

i) Labdang -Goechala- 3Km.

ii)Pentong-Zee hot Spring- 3Km

iii)Theng-Sangkyangkung-3.Km.

27..00 3.00

lakh/km 27.00

4

Development

of Camping

Sites

i) Nayapatal & Lampokhri– 02

ii)Kalyokbi-Dzongu- 1 No

iii) Pemalatsho,Chungthang – 1

20.00 5.00

lakhs/Nos 20..00

5

Purchase of

Camping

Equipments

i) Chungthang Range -1 Set

ii) Dzongu (KBR) Range - 1 Set

iii)Yuksom Range - 1 Set.

3.00 1.00 lakh/-

Set 3.00

6

Maintenance

repair of

Wooden

1. Chuseykhola -Dzongri -1Nos.

5.00

5.00

lakhs/No. 5.00

248

bridge

7 Drinking

Water Supply

I) Kasturi Orar Log Hut

ii) Phimpu Log Hut

iii) Singnok Log Hut

iv) Jamkung

v) Sathdharey

12.50 2.50lakhs/N

o. 12.50

8.

Construction

of Cane

Bridge

1.Singnok kyong-1No

2. Rongnyok River-1No.

3.Dawathang Kyoung-1No.

12.00 4.00

Lakhs/No 12.00

9. Construction

of Log Bridge

1. Singaney Khola—01 2. Tingkyong Khola-01 3. Sengkhola, Chowri-01 4. Tholungkyoung-01

6.00 1.50Lakhs/

No 6.00

Sub Total 103.50 103.50

Financial target and proposed outlay (Rs. In lakhs)

Sl.

No Item of Activities

Physical

Target Ha.&Nos. and

locations

Financial

Target

Rate/ Unit

/No. in Rs.

Proposed

Outlay

E FOREST PROTECTION

1

KBR boundary

demarcation

9Km.

i)ChungthangRange-3 Km.

ii) Dzongu Range - 3 Km.

iii) Yuksom Range – 3 Km.

9.00 1.00laks/km 9.00

2

Transportation&

Carriage for

Relocation of

Tshoka Village

KNP area to

Yuksom, Sikkim

Shifting of 10 Thomopa

families 5.00 0.50lakh/family. 5.00

3.

Replacement of 2

Vehicle for two

Districts under

KBR

a) West District – 1 No.

b) North District – 1 No. 14.00

7.00 lakhs/

each 14.00

4. Soil & Moisture 15ha or 270 Benches 4.94 32944/-ha. 4.94

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Conservation

through Vegetative

Method

5. Garbage Clean up West & North Sikkim 4.00 2.00 Lakhs/No 4.00

6.

Fencing of areas

around

Interpretation

Centre, Yoksam

1000m at Yoksam 6.18 6.18 lakhs/Km 6.18

7. Patrolling &

Surveillance

North & Western part of

KBR 8.00 4.00lakhs/trip 8.00

8.

Construction of

Office-cum-

quarters for Block

Officer

Yoksam, Check Post 12.00 12.00 Lakhs/No 12.00

Sub-Total: 63.12 63.12

F FOREST RESEARCH, EXTENSION OF EDUCATION

1

Awareness on

Protection of

Natural Resources

of KBR.

---- 3.00 L.S 3.00

2 Signages&Natural

resource posters

----

3.00 L.S 3.00

3 Monitoring and

Evaluation ---- 2.00 L.S 2.00

4. Documentary Film

on Anthropology

On religion, culture and

tradition of local villagers. 5.00 L.S 5.00

Sub Total:- 13.00 13.00

Total 266.38 266.38

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Financial target and proposed outlay (Rs. In lakhs) Sl. No

Item of Activities Physical Target Ha.&Nos. and locations

Financial Target

Rate/ Unit /No. in Rs.

Proposed

Outlay

G OVER-HEAD EXPENSES 3% of the total amount 8.00 3% of the total

amount 8.00

Grand Total:- 274.38 274.38

FUND APPROVED AND SANCTIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DURING 2008-09:

2nd. Installment to be received from MoEF for the items of works, like Health Camp, Camping equipments, Broom Grass plantation, Monitoring, Trekking trail and Cardamom rhizome, as, approved and sanction vide Letter No.9/09/2008-CS/BR,Dated;6/11/08, by the Govt. of India for the year 2008-09.

15.36

GRAND TOTAL OF PROPOSAL FOR YEAR 2009-2010 = Rs.289.74 lakhs

Summary of the proposed outlay for the year 2009-10

A Eco-Development Activities = Rs.25.22 lakhs B Social Welfare Activities = Rs.25.50 -do- C Habitat Management = Rs.36.04 -do- D Infrastructure Development = Rs.103.50 -do- E Forest Protection = Rs.63.12 -do- F Research, Extension & Education = Rs.13.00 -do- G Over-Head Expenses = Rs. 8.00 -do- Total: = Rs.274.38 Lakhs Second installment of last financial year fund= Rs.15.36 lakhs grand total of proposal for year 2009-2010 = Rs.289.74 lakhs

(Rupees: Two Corers Eighty nine Lakhs Seventy four Thousand, only)

(Nambe Bhutia,SFS) (J.B.Subba,SFS) Divisional Forest Officer (KNP/KBR) Joint Director KNP/KBR)

(N.T Bhutia, IFS), Addl.PCCF-Chief Wild-Life Warden

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Justification for proposed work components under Management Action Plan for Conservation of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve - Sikkim for the year 2009-10 A. ECO- DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES: 1. Toilets for poor families of Buffer Zone: Health & sanitation of the villagers are matter of concern & well being of villagers who are partners in management & conservation of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve. Some of the villagers are very poor and cannot afford to construct toilets on their own and it has been observed that they still use open ground or stream/ river banks for the purpose. The management has been able to provide toilets to villagers in a phased manner & hence it is proposed to construct another 30 nos. toilets @ Rs.55,000/- toilet for each household during the current financial year. 30 Nos. x Rs.55,000/-No. = Rs.16.50 Lakhs. 2. Broom-grass plantation Planting of Broom grass in waste land of private individuals of buffer village farmers and in some pockets of blank areas in the buffer zone will be one of the best idea to utilize the waste land, as such the broom grass has got multiple use in day to day life of farmers, like the leaves of the broom grass is good fodder for all types of cattle and herbivorous wild animals, Stem of the broom grass is used for making furniture tools, the broom stick is most valuable product and has got good market value and easily marketable anywhere. Besides above mentioned uses its root is very good soil binder and prevents from erosion. Within 2 years of plantation it starts giving all above mentioned quality and quantity of products at least for 7-8 years. Therefore the item of Broom Grass plantation is incorporated in this programme for approval. 45 ha. X Rs.11383/-ha. = Rs.5.12 Lakhs. 3. Distribution of LPG Connections: The distribution of LPG connections to the poor families residing in vicinity of the forest areas is one of the most effective social welfare activities and directly reduces pressure on adjoining forest for fuel wood. During the last financial year 90 families have already been provided with LPG connections and it has been observed that the use of fire wood has been considerably reduced. Therefore it is proposed to cover all the households of fringe villages gradually in a phased manner and under the current financial year it is proposed to cover 90 families only.

90 families X Rs.4000/- per Nos. - 3.60 Lakhs

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B. SOCIAL WELFARE ACTIVITIES: 1 Cattle Immunization: Since the area has been designated as Biosphere Reserve three times i.e. during 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2007-08. the cattle of surrounding villages of Biosphere Reserve areas were immunized. Immunization of cattle, pet animals, stray dogs sheeps, goats etc. of the Buffer villages is proposed to control communicable diseases from spreading to the wild animals through these infected domestic animals. Therefore, it is proposed to conduct immunization programme covering most of the villages under Buffer Zone of KBR with the help of Veterinary Doctor. L.S = Rs.3.00 Lakhs 2. Health Camps: The buffer villages are scattered, remote and far-flung which requires hours to reach from the motor-able road, hence the people are devoid of basic health facilities and Medicare. Hence, to organize health camps in the remote villages is good idea, which helps for confidence building like bringing about awareness amongst the people of the need to protect forests and wild animals. Therefore, this year also the item of health camp has been proposed for approval. L.S. = Rs.2.00 Lakhs. 3 Distribution of Pressure Cookers: The villagers residing in fringe areas of KBR still uses traditional utensils for cooking purposes which requires more energy & time. The use of low energy / fuel wood consuming devices like pressure cookers can definitely reduces consumption of fuel wood & saves time also. Therefore, the distribution of pressure cookers to villagers of fringe areas has been felt quite necessary and it is proposed to distribute 300 pressure cookers so as to reduce fuel wood consumption & saving of valuable time which in turn will further reduce the biotic pressure on adjoining forest.

300 nos. x Rs.2000/-No. = Rs.6.00 Lakhs 4. Nature Exposure Trip For School Students & Village Communities To develop a sense of love and affection towards natural resources, especially to the wild animals, and also to study the individual animal behaviors and Prey & predator relationship and the role being played by flora & fauna in the universal environment,

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organizing a Nature camps for the school students and village elders in the places of Bio-diversity areas, Zoos, Wildlife sanctuaries, Parks and gardens proofs to be knowledgeable exposure trip. Since last two years Government of India is regularly funding this item under Management Action Plan for Conservation and Management of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim. Therefore, the item for Nature Camp has been proposed for approval for the year 2009-10.

L.S. = Rs.2.00 Lakhs 5. Construction of Crematorium Shed: The poor villagers residing near the forests areas of KBR have their respective crematorium place & large no of people gather(at least 1-2 members from each family) for ceremonial last rites of the deceased person and as per the tradition everyone present at the day waits till the completion of cremation. The proposal of construction of crematorium shed will help the local people as resting shed cum shed for distribution of tea, snacks & lunch. Therefore, the proposal for construction of crematorium Sheds are included for approval please.

05 Nos @ 2.00 lakhs = Rs. 10.00 lakhs C HABITAT MANAGEMENT: 1. Bamboo Plantation: Use of bamboo in the villages right from shoot, leave to culms is aged old tradition. As it is rightly said that the bamboo is poor men’s timber. the bamboo has multiple uses this can be grown within the protected area of KNP as well as in the Buffer zone area. The villagers also can be encouraged to plant bamboo rhizomes on their waste lands and land slide areas. Bamboo shoot is most favorable food for Wild Bear similarly the bamboo leaves are for Red-Panda. Besides, multiple purposes as mentioned it is good soil binding species, so, basically the farmers used to plant bamboo rhizomes in the landslide and sinking areas. Therefore the plantation of bamboo is proposed in degraded and landslide areas of the KNP within protected area and buffer zone as well.

60 ha. X Rs.25,143/-ha. = Rs.15.08 lakhs 2. Maintenance of Bomboo Plantation: As the use of bamboo has already been described in serial no.2 of Habitat Management, above, to ensure cent percent survival, maintenance of 2nd.year old bamboo plantation has been proposed. During 2007-08, 30 ha. Bamboo plantation has been carried out in three different locations where 15 to 20 % mortality of newly planted bamboo rhizomes is certain so, maintenance by way of replacement of dead rhizomes with new rhizomes is proposed for approval.

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30 ha. X Rs.8000/-ha. = Rs.2.40 lakhs. 4. Improvement and maintenance of high altitude water bodies:

The KBR is blessed with several High Altitude swamps and water-bodies. These are the most productive ecosystem and also are resting, breeding areas for migratory avifauna which if not given scientific management or interference may lead to its degradation. Some of these water bodies are threatened by siltation, eutrophication & invading grasses. The proposal intends to rejuvenate & restore these degrading natural waterbodies by treating its catchments areas, removal of invading grasses. The proposal also intends to beautify the surrounding areas so as to encourage eco-tourism. Hence it is proposed to take up six lakes during the CFY. 6 nos. x Rs.2.00 lakh/-no. = Rs. 12.00 Lakhs. D. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT: 1. Audio-visual equipments, CDs, Computers, posters, maps, books, etc. for

Wild Life Interpretation Centre at Yuksam Approximately 5000-6000 domestic & foreign tourist visits the KBR area mainly for trekking purpose apart from tour operators & service providers and local people. The foreign tourists constitutes 60% of the total tourists. The Interpretation Centre located at entry point at Yuksam, has now been renovated & even approach road has been constructed through funding from MoEF. The current proposal intends to strengthen Interpretation Centre with interpretation materials & audio visuals for creating awareness amongst the tourist ant it also help us to raise revenue through entry fee

LS. = Rs.10.00 lakhs 1. Renovation of Log Huts The log Huts are proposed for renovation and furnishing to bring them in serviceable conditions as these log huts were constructed in the important locations, where the patrolling team or any other visitors frequently used them for night halt. These log huts were constructed long time back and no repair works has been done since then. However there is no option as such, other than occupying these almost decaying huts. Therefore, the following log huts are proposed for renovation and providing some furniture under this scheme.

i. Dzongi, West – 1 No. & b. Satdharey, Leek - 1 No. 2nos log huts @ 4.00 lakhs = 8.00 Lakhs

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3. Construction of Trekking Trails The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 2620 sq.km having motorable roads only in its periphery. Hence, trekking trails are the only alternatives for the visiting tourists, field staffs, researchers and locals. Therefore, it is proposed to construct trekking trails as under:-

i) Labdang to Goechala- 3.Km. ii) Pentong to Zee hot Spring- 3. Km iii) Theng to Sangkyangkung- 3.Km.

9.kms @ Rs. 3.00 lakhs = 27.00 lakhs 4. Development of Camping Sites The designated camping sites within the biosphere reserve have been degraded due to its continuos use and its maintenance not undertaken since long time. The proposal intends to upgrade and develop the existing camping sites in a phased manner. And during the current financial year ten (6) camping sites are proposed to be undertaken. i) Nayapatal & Lampokhri – 02 No. ii) Pentong & Kalyokbi- Dzongu - 01.No. iii) Pemalatsho, Chungthang – 01.No. 4nos @ Rs.5.00lakhs = Rs.20.00lakhs 5. Purchase of Camping Equipments The field staff requires to be on patrolling and other regular activities throughout the year and due to non-availability of roads it is must to halt for 4-5 nights in a log huts or camping sites. Therefore, it is proposed to procure camping equipments like sleeping bags, mattresses, tents, haversacks, torch lights etc.in three sets for 3 Ranges: 3 Sets. x Rs.1.00 lakh = Rs.3.00 lakhs 6. Maintenance & Repair of Wooden Bridge. The wooden Suspension Bridge of Chusey khola is the only means to cross the streams over Chuseykhola (River Chusey) on the way to Dzongri was constructed long way back which requires an immediate repairs as large number of tourists, local people & field staff visit the area. Further one of the EDC President during the meeting emphasized on importance of an immediate repairs/ maintenance of this bridge. Hence, it is proposed to repair this important bridge during the current financial year.

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Suspension Wooden bridge of Chusey Khola, West Sikkim- 01Nos 01 Nos @ Rs.5.00 Lakhs/- per Nos. Rs.5.00 Lakhs 7. Drinking Water Supply. The log Huts mentioned below were constructed long back and don’t have drinking water facilities. Since due to increase in number of tourists & Forest staffs visiting these places, they find very difficult as they have to carry water from far places. Hence, it is proposed to provide drinking water facilities for kind consideration please. i) Kasturi Orar Log Hut ii) Phimpu Log Hut iii) Singnok Log Hut iv) Jamkung v) Satdharey 05.Log Huts @ 2.50 Lakhs Rs. 12.50 Lakhs. 8. Construction of Cane Bridge: The construction of Cane Bridge has been proposed in Dzongu, North Sikkim which inhabits only the Lepcha Tribe who are very good in utilizing bamboo & canes for their day to day life. Furthermore, this areas harbours large number of streams & rivers and the local people finds it very difficult to cross these rivers & streams, besides there are no vehicular roads. Therefore, in order to facilitate the transportation & communication for these local tribe and to preserve the old tradition of Lepcha Tribe, construction of Cane Bridges are proposed. 1.Singnok kyoung-01 No, 2. Rongnyok River-01 No. 3.Dawathang Kyoung-01 No. 03 Nos cane Bridge @ Rs4.00lakhs = Rs. 12.00 Lakhs

9. Construction of Log Bridges: The log bridges constructed earlier are now not serviceable and might lead to untoward accidents leading to loss of human lives & property. Some of the log Bridges have been washed out by recent flash floods, hence construction of log bridges have been proposed for smooth transportation & communication for the local people, tourists & the officials of the Forest Department.

1. Singaney Khola—01 No. 2. Tingkyong Khola-01.No.

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3. Sengkhola Chowri-01.No. 4. Tholungkyoung-01.No. 04 Nos @ Rs.1.50 Lakhs = Rs.6.00 Lakhs

E FOREST PROTECTION: 1. Boundary Demarcation of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve: Demarcation of Boundary line of Biosphere Reserve is one of the most important area to be addressed for proper and meaningful management of the Reserve. The buffer villages are situated all along the periphery of the Biosphere Reserve. Until and unless there are boundary pillars in between Buffer Zone and Private land it is difficult to ascertain encroachment of notified buffer zone areas and to stop further encroachment in future. The boundary demarcation works are being done in a phase wise manner and under the current financial year also it is proposed to demarcate 9.km of boundary line with CC pillar and angle iron post at an interval of 100m.

9kms X Rs.1.00 lakh/-Km. = Rs.9.00 lakhs 2. Transportation & Carriage charge for Relocation of Tshoka Village KNP area to Yuksom, West Sikkim The proposal for relocation of Tshoka Village located inside the core zone of KBR is under process and Government of Sikkim has accorded approval to allot 10 N0s. Cl-III Type Quarters and 0.5 acreas of land to each 10 affected families of Tshoka, located at scrapped Rathongchu Power Project at Yuksam, West Sikkim. Further the relocation process will be effected as soon as the repairing works of quarters is almost in the verge of completion. The proposal intends to compensate the expenses likey to be incurred during the transportation & carriage of belongings & other materials from Tshoka to Yuksam, in tern the Department is getting 30 acres of land along with 10 houses free of cost.

10.Families. @ Rs.0.50 lakhs/ family = Rs.5.00 Lakhs 3. Replacement of 02 Vehicles for two Districts of KBR The area of the Khangchendzonga National Park stretches from North District to West District of Sikkim State and it is not accessible continuously from the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve area of North District to West KBR area, so one has to come back to East District and cross South District to reach Western part of KBR area.. So, in order to increase the performance of the field staff in protection and conservation of these rich Biodiversity areas, it is proposed to replace the 02 Nos. already auctioned vehicles under the current financial year. L.S. --------------- ---------------- Rs.14.00 lakhs.

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4. Soil & Moisture Conservation through Vegetative Method: Most of the areas under Biosphere Reserve comprise of hilly terrain, so the landslide and mass movement of the earth in some places are common features in the buffer zone and buffer villages, so to stabilize the areas bally benching in a staggered manner across the slope will control the sliding soil and stone. The bally should be of Erithrina indica, Viburnum, Kadam, bamboo rhizomes etc. which will grow from bally itself and resultantly the area shall have green cover within 2-3 years. Further, the space left in between can be used for the plantation of soil binding species of fodder trees like Ficus spp. Therefore the item of SMC through vegetative method is recommended under this programme for approval.

15 ha.XRs.32,944/ha --------- Rs.4.94 Lakhs. 5. Trekking Trail Garbage Clean Up: With the increase in number of tourist visiting the Biosphere Reserve has substantially increased the amount of garbage with it. Till today other agencies have been doing the garbage clean up exercises with their own financial support. The proposal intends to identify, collect and remove whatever garbage is present and bring it down to Yuksam in the west and outside KBR areas in North Sikkim and proper disposal/recycling of all non biodegradable garbage by linking up with the municipal disposal system.

L.S. ----------- 4.00 Lakhs

6. Fencing of areas around Interpretation Centre, Yuksam: The Interpretation Centre now has been renovated & linked by an approach road. The area in and around the Interpretation Centre has a nursery, old Botanical Garden & Range Officer Quarters which needs to be protected from cattle grazing and encroachment of land. Further the fencing is rotted & severely damaged which do not serve the purpose and field staff always has to drive away the cattle grazing inside the compound.

1.km @ Rs. 6.18.lakhs/ Km. = Rs.6.18 Lakhs 7. Patrolling & Surveillance As, pointed out by the PCCF-cum Secretary, Forests, and Chairman State Level KBR Committee, we cannot deny the fact that poaching of wild animals & bio piracy of wildlife is not happening within the KBR areas and there is an urgent need of a combing operation of the entire Reserve for trap demolition and detection and prevention of poaching twice a year, Oct-Nov (descending) and Feb-Mar (ascending). The patrolling teams shall enter from five different locations for Wild Life related activities, and patrolling of high altitude areas is an expensive affair

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which needs engagement of Porters/labourer and pack animals for expeditions, ration for the team & the labourers/potters etc. Hence, for better protection & management of KBR, the proposal of patrolling & Surveillance is included during the current Financial Year. 02 Expeditions @ Rs.4.00 Lakhs/ Expedition = 8.00 Lakhs 8. Construction of Office-cum-Quarters for Block Officer at Yuksam: In the recent years there has been a number of forest offence cases wherein number of tourists & others were apprehended for collection & removal of wild plants and entry into national park without a valid permit. These forest offence cases were detected during the routine check up exercise in the check post. Hence, it has been realized now that if the Office –cum- Quarters for Block officer is constructed adjacent to the Check Post it can further strengthen the biodiversity Check Post and help reduce the forest offence cases. Moreover, there is no quarter or office for the Block Officer at Yuksam, West-Sikkim from where 5000-6000 tourists enter into KBR areas for trekking. Therefore, the proposal for construction of Office-cum-Quarters for block Officer is included for consideration in the current Financial Year.

01 No. Office-cum- quarters- = L.S. Rs.12.00 lakhs F. FOREST RESEARCH, EXTENSION OF EDUCATION: 1. Awareness on Protection of Natural Resources of KBR. The efforts put on by forest department for protection of the natural resources can only earn positive results when the people residing in fringe villages & tourist visiting the area are made aware of the importance of the forests for survival of the mankind. Therefore, the proposal intends to create awareness among masses through awareness camps/ workshops in some of the important areas in three different Ranges. 3 Camps/ Workshops @ Rs.1.00 Lakhs = Rs.3.00 Lakhs

2. Signages and Natural Resource posters: Displaying posters for bringing about awareness amongst the tourist for safe disposal of garbage and putting big sign-boards with basic information like drawing of map on the board showing one’s own location in the Park, displaying the rules and regulations to be followed within the Park, drawings of important flowers, Fauna and Avi-fauna available in the Park, are to be displayed on the board and

260

fixing permanently in some important entrance points of the Park to have a outline knowledge of flora and fauna before entering the National Park. Further, these sign-boards serves the purpose of guide to the tourists, trekkers, research scholars etc. during their course of expedition, research, trekking in the snowed high altitude National Park.

L.S. = Rs.3.00 lakhs. 3. Monitoring and Evaluation: Dr. R.K.Rai, Director, MoEF, Government of India has rightly suggested in the meeting that the Management Action Plan should have provision for Monitoring & Evaluation in order find out the quality of works in the field. The monitoring is from any institution, representative of MoEF, Government of India or Officials from State Government Departments, NGOs of Central level or State level registered and authorized by the MoEF,

LS = Rs.2.00 lakhs 4. Documentary Film on Anthropology: The State of Sikkim being so small with a geographical area of only 7096 sqkm inhabits people of various tribes, castes and religion with different tradition & cultural heritage. The people living in the fringe villages of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve represents all the types of various castes, tribes & religion. The proposal intends to document all the types of tradition & cultural heritage and traditional use of medicinal plants. Therefore, the proposal is included to make a documentary film on different sections of people, their tradition, and cultural heritage.

L.S. = Rs.5.00 Lakhs TOTAL OF (A to F) = Rs.266.38 Lakhs

G. OVER HEAD: This is required to meet up incidental expenses, administrative cost during implementations of various policies and programmes of KBR. Altogether there are three meetings are held to get MAP proposal in the final form, i.e. two local level one in North District and other one in West District, then only the State level KBR meeting is being held at Gangtok. Hence, the expenditure to be incurred has been worked out at 3% of the proposed works components.

Works components; 266.38 lakhs X 3% = Rs.8.00 Lakhs Grand Total: (A to G) = Rs.274.38 lakhs

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FUND APPROVED AND SANCTIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DURING 2008-09

2nd. Installment to be received from MoEF for the items of works, like Health Camp, Camping equipments, Broom Grass plantation, Monitoring, Trekking trail and Cardamom rhizome, as, approved and sanction vide Letter No.9/09/2008-CS/BR,Dated;6/11/08, by the Govt. of India for the year 2008-09.

= Rs.15.36 lakhs

Grand Total of proposal for the year 2009-10 = Rs.289.74 Lakhs

( Rupees: Two crores eighty nine lakhs seventy four thousand, only)

Nambe Bhutia,SFS) (J.B.Subba, SFS) Divisional Forest Officer (KNP/KBR) Joint Director (KNP-KBR)

(N.T Bhutia, IFS) Addl.PCCF-cum-Chief Wildlife Warden,

Forests,Env.& Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim,Gangtok.

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MINUTES OF MEETING MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE HELD AT CONFERENCE HALL ON 9TH JUNE 2009-06-10 The meeting of the khangchendzonga National Park Biosphere Reserve was convened by the Hon’ble Minister of Forest, Environment& Wildlife Management, Tourism, Mines, Minerals & Geology, Science and Technology Department, Government of Sikkim, as Chief Guest and Chaired by the PCCF cum Secretary Forest, and attended by Dr..R.K.Rai Director,(CS) Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. The meeting was also attended by Dr. H.K. Badola, Nodal Person, KBR, G.B. Pant, Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Sikkim Unit, Pangthang-Gangtok, Dr,T. Serijawa Team leader, ICNET, JICA, Dr. Ganeshyam, member ICNET JICA, and team members, Dr. Anil Mainra, IFS,CCF, Social Forestry, Shri C. Lachungpa, IFS CCF LU&FCA, Shri Pradeep Kumar,IFS, CF working Plan, Shri B.K.Tiwari, Addl.Director,Adm & Planing, Additional Director, Accounts, Addl, Director, Sericulture, and other Sr. Officers and staffs of the department, Miss. Priya Darshinee Shrestha, Sr. Programme Officer, WWF, India, Presidents and members of different Eco Development Committees(EDC) of North and West Sikkim were also present. The meeting presided by the Hon’ble Minsiter of Forest was followed by Welcome Address by Shri H.P.Pradhan,IFS CCF. Wildlife . The Documentary Film made on the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is subsequently released by the Hon’ble Minister of Forest. Thereafter, Shri J.B.Subba, Joint Director,KNP/KBR has presented the detail achievements and the proposed Management Action Plan for the year 2009-10 through Power point presentation.

Before proceedings for the interaction session, the house desired to see the documentary film on KBR, which was then projected in the screen. The entire house has appreciated the quality of the film and its display on the floral and faunal diversity of the reserve.

Interaction of the Meeting: Dr. R.K.Rai, Director, MOEF, has enquired whether the comprehensive management Plan for five year on Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve have been prepared or not, duly incorporating the line department. Dr. Rai further said that the curtailment of the amount proposed in the Management Action Plan in the preceding

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year is due to late submission of the proposal to the Ministry, henceforth suggested to submit the MAP in time so that there will be no curtailment and release of the funds in time During the course of discussion Shri C.Lachungpa,CCF suggested to explore funds from other agencies for the management of the KBR. Eco Development Activities: Dr. R.K Rai, Director pointed out whether the rate for the construction of the toilet is justified? In this regard CCF Landuse clarified that the rate is justified due to the enhancement in the rate of daily wages of the labour as well as increase in the rate of materials material and the distance of the work site from Gangtok. Regarding the distribution of cardamom rhizome to the public, the PCCF cum Secretary Forest has dejected such scheme and suggested to include for distribution of fodder plants, fruit bearing plants and other agro forestry related items. Dr. Anil Mainra, CCF, has suggested for the distribution of solar heating system to the villagers. Social Welfare activities: The members have no comments on the items like cattle immunization, health camp Exposure/nature trip, whereas Dr.R.K Rai has raised question for the cost of Pressure cooker reflected in the proposal. In this regard CCF Landuse clarified that the such materials has to be procured from State Trading Corporation, as per the government Notification, hence the department needs to pay sale tax and 3% commission to the STCS hence the rate is justified .Dr. Rai further enquired that whether the people used to refill the LPG cylinder distributed under this scheme?. The house clarified that due to use of LPG cylinder in the remote areas, there is considerably decrease in the felling of trees and hence save our forest from depletion. Habitat Management: The respected PCCF cum Secretary Forest suggested that the items like broom grass plantation should be included in the social welfare activities rather than including in the habitat management. Infrastructure development: Dr. R.K. Rai sought clarification and justification regarding the amount proposed for the Audio-visual, CDs, and Computers etc for the interpretation centre at Yuksam. In this regard PCCF cum Secretary Forest said that since the construction of

264

interpretation centre at Yuksam, no such inputs have been provided. He further stressed that since Yuksam is one of the tourist Hot spot, such type of amenities are extremely necessary in the interpretation centre. The house further suggested that in place of barbed wire fencing stone wall fencing would be more appropriate around the interpretation centre for better looks of the site. Regarding the construction of trekking trails, PCCF suggested that the trail should be qualitative. Regarding the development of camping site; the PCCF cum Secretary Forest as well as all the members suggested that no mega camping site should come out within the National Park with super structures. They suggested that the camping site should have one camping ground with small kitchen, garbage & waste disposal unit, toilet and water supply facilities and these should be the designated camping sites for all camping sites. In regards to the construction of log hut, the members suggested that the log hut should be of stone structure with trusses made of steel truss and GCI sheet. No comments on the proposal like maintenance of Log bridge and water supply to the log huts. Forest Protection: Dr.R.K.Rai, Director, raised questions regarding the boundary demarcation, the members clarified for the necessity of the boundary demarcation to check the encroachment. Shri J.B.Subba JD, KNP stated that the boundary shall be erected at the vulnerable points at an interval of 100m. Regarding the shifting of Tsokha village, the house clarified and satisfied with the amount kept aside in the proposal as a rehabilitation pakage to the displaced families considering the distance of the location.DR. R.K.Rai pointed out whether the two vehicles under KBR was purchase from the funds provided under KBR? PCCF cum Secretary Forest clarified that that the vehicles are extremely necessary for the regular patrolling, surveillance and day to day activities of the Biosphere Reserve. Regarding Bally benching ,Shri Pradep Kumar,IFS, C.F. Working Plan, suggested not to encourage on the bally benching work as soil conservation measure as it require felling of trees and leads the depletion of the vegetation .Shri B.K.Tiwari Addl Director Planing & Adm. has suggested the replacement of nomenclature of bally benching by soil conservation through vegetative measure. Further, the observation was clarified by Joint Director KBR that the ballies should be of Erithrina indica, Viburnum, Kadam, bamboo rhizomes etc. which will grow from bally itself and resultantly the area shall have green cover within 2-3 years. Then the

265

space left in between can be used for the plantation of soil binding species of fodder trees like Ficus sp, Bamboo, Broomgrass etc.

Miss. Priya Shrestha, Sr. Programme Officer, WWF has also suggested that the accumulation of the garbage in the Himalayas can be checked with the joint venture of the travel agents and awareness programme among the villagers and the tourist is necessary to sensitize on the issue. The suggestion was appreciated by every one in the house. Shri C. Lachungpa ,CCF LU&E pointed out that the amount projected in the proposal for the construction of Block Officer office cum quarter is not sufficient .He suggested that at least Rs.12 lakh should be kept aside for such work. Shri B.K.Tiwari, Addl.Director, Adm&Planning expressed the need for the vating of such estimates by the Engineering wing of the Department. Forest Research &Extension: Dr. Ganeshyam Sharma, Programme Manager, The Mountain Institute, Gangtok Branch, regrets that no emphasis has been given in the Management Action Plan of KBR for encouragement, enhancement of the researcher. He stressed that priority and incentives should be given to the masters to conduct Ph.d and other research as till date no researcher has worked in the Biosphere Reserve. In this regard JD KNP has clarified that for research purpose; it requires multiple years for its completion in doing PH.d as the programme under the KBR is a time bond scheme and needs to be complete the entire scheme in the given period of one year. In this regard the house as well as PCCF cum Secretary Forest suggested that such programme can be included in the compressive management for five year for KBR. Mrs.Usha Lachungpa, Sr. Research Officer, Forests, Env.& Wildlife Management Department, expressed her dissatisfaction over the research done in Sikkim on Flora & Fauna since last so many years but regretted that no report of research data has been submitted to the Department till date,hence the very purpose of research work is to feed back to the managers is defeated. At last she stressed on a need to coordinate amongst research & management wing of the department for effective management of KBR. Dr. H.K. Badola, Nodal person KBR suggested to develop scientific documents on KBR. He further said that once the transition zone problems is solved one can proceed further for the preparation of scientific documents by involving experts. He said that some publication is under process.

266

The members raised the question regarding the monitoring and evaluation of the project. Shri C. Lachungpa, CCF LU7E suggested for setting up of a monitoring committee and should be notified. Shri H.P. Sharma, Addl. Director Finance suggested to keep 3% of the total project cost under Over Head Expenses to meet up the expenditure. Before the conclusion of the interaction session, Shri Nombi Bhutia DFO KNP read out the different proposals submitted by the EDC members for the inclusion .The proposals were tabled and discussed among the committees and agrees to incorporate certain feasible proposals in the MAP. The meeting ended with the vote of thanks by Shri Nombi Bhutia DFO KNP/KBR followed by lunch.

(Blen Tshering Lepcha, SFS) Assistant Conservator of Forest (KNP) West Sikkim

Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Department Government of Sikkim

267

ATTENDANCE IN THE MEETING State Level Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve Committee and Stakeholder Meeting held at Forest Conference Hall, Annex Building, Deorali on 9th, June. 2009, under the chairmanship of Shri.S. T. Lachungpa, IFS, PCCF -cum- Secretary, Forests, Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim. and the meeting was graced by Shri.Bhim Dhungel, Hon’ble Minister, Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Department, Tourism Department, Mines, Minerals & Geology Department and Science and Technology Department as Chief Guest. Sl.No. Name Designation Organisation 1.. Shri. Bhim Dhungel Hon’ble Minister, Forest FEWMD 2. Shri S. T. Lachungpa, IFS PCCF-cum-Secretary FEWMD 3. Shri Anil Mainra, IFS CCF -do- 4. Dr. R. K. Rai Director MoEF 5. Shri H. P. Pradhan, IFS C.F. (Wildlife) FEWMD 6. Shri Pradeep Kumar C.F.(WP) -do- 7. Dr. Y. R. Rai Technician ‘B’, G.B.Pant 8. Mrs. Usha Lachungpa S.R.OFEWMD 9. Dr. H.K. Badola Scientist ‘E’, , G.B.Pant Institute, Gangtok 10. Mr. C. Lachungpa, IFS CF (Landuse) FEWMD 11. Mr. D. Manjunath, IFS DFO, (W.P) FEWMD 12. Ms. Priya darshinee Shrestra Sr. Programme Officer, WWF 13. Mr. J.B.Subba, SFS Joint Director KNP/KBR FEWMD 14. Ms. Urmila Thapa, SFS ACF (Wildlife,North) FEWMD 15. Mr. Sugen Saring, SFS ACF (Wiidlife, West) FEWMD 16. Ms. Kinuki Mitani ICNETICNET 17. Mr.Bharat K. Pradhan Research Fellow G.B. Pant 18. Mr. B.L.Sharma DFO (RVP) FEWMD 19. Mr. H.P. Sharma Addl. Director (Accounts) FEWMD 20. Mr. B.K.Tewari Addl. Director (P&A) FEWMD 21. Mr. Binod Yonzon DFO (WL), North FEWMD 22. Mr. C.B. Bhugel DFO (Silviculture) FEWMD 23. Mr. H. P. Rai Jt. Director (Seri) FEWMD 24. Mr. P. Tamang DFO (FCA) FEWMD 25. Mr. H C Rai DFO (S&D) FEWMD 26. Mr. T. Gyatso DFO (NTFP) FEWMD 27. Mr. K.B.Subedi ACF (SF) FEWMD 28. Mr. K. B. Gurung DFO (LU) FEWMD 29. Mr. Rudra Sharma CA to HM/Forest FEWMD 30. Mr. Tilak Chettri Staff HM/Forest 31. Mr Bharat Karki PSO HM/Forest 32. Mr. Sangay G. Bhutia ACF FEWMD 33. Mr.Sugen M. Saring ACF FEWMD 34. Mr. T. P. Sharma Bamboo Consultant FEWMD 35. Mr. M.R. Subba ACF FEWMD 36. Mr. Palden Tamang F.G. FEWMD 37. Mr. J. B. Subba Jt. Director.KNP/KBR FEWMD 38. Mr. N.T. Bhutia DFO. KNP/KBR FEWMD North Sikkim KNP EDCs 39. Mrs Pema Lhamu Lepcha President Lingya EDC 40. Mrs. Norkit Lepcha -do- Sakyong EDC 41.. Mr. Pemchung Lepcha -do- Pentong EDC 42. Mr. Tashi Tshering Lepcha -do- Saffo EDC 43. Mrs.Dorjee Ongmu Lepcha -do- Chungthang EDC 44. Mr.Mika Lepcha -do- MLAS (NGO, Dzongu) 45. Mr.Dupden Lepcha -d- Tingvong EDC 46. Mrs. Dawden Lepcha -do Leek EDC

268

47. Mr. Rapden Lepcha -do- Bob-Chungthang EDC 48. Mr. Natuk Lepcha Exe.Member Chungthang EDC 49. Mr.Dawa Tashi Lepcha Exe.Member Chungthang EDC West Sikkim EDCs 50. Mr. P.S. Subba President Nesha EDC 51. Mr. Dhan Rup Gurung -do- Labdang EDC 52. Mr. Taraman Subba -do- Kongri EDC 53. Mr. Puk Man Subba -do Karjee EDC 54. Mr. Ram Kumar Thapa -do- Pokhri- Mangnam EDC 55. Mr. B.S. Subba -do- Khyongtey EDC 56. Mr. K. B. Gurung -do- Hungry, EDC 57. Mr. Birkha Lall Subba -do- Chung EDC 58. Mr. P. T. Bhutia -do- Chowri EDC 59. Mr.T. M. Subba -do- Naku EDC Field & Office Staff of KNP/KBR Division. 60. Mr. Blen T. Targain, SFS ACF West Sikkim. 61. Mr. S.L. Bhutia, SFS ACF North Sikkim 62. Mr. S.T. Lachungpa Range Officer Chungthang 63. Mr. Mingma Lepcha -do- Dzongu 64. Mr. Blackey Tsong -do- Chungthang 65. Mr. B.B. Basnett -do- Dzongu 66. Ms. Shakuntala Baraily -do- Tashiding 67. Mr. Lakpa Tsh. Bhutia -d0- Yuksam. 68. Mr. G.R. Adhikari F.G. FEWMD 69. Mr. Jit Man Subba Chowkidar FEWMD =========XXXXXXXXX=========

269

GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM OFFICE OF THE PR.CCF-CUM-SECRETARY

FORESTS, ENVIROMENT & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT DEORALI-737102, SIKKIM

No. /GOS / FORESTS. Dated, 2009 To Dr. R.K. Rai, Director (CS) Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003 Subject: Progress Report and Utilization Certificate in respect of implementation of

Management Action Plan for Conservation and Management of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, for the year 2008- 09.

Sir, Please find enclosed herewith the progress report and utilization certificate in respect of Implementation of Management Action Plan for Conservation and Management of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, for the year 2008- 09, for favour of your kind information and further necessary action. Out of the total fund of Rs.65.355 lakhs approved and sanctioned by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, Rs.49.996 lakhs was released as 1st. installments vide Letter No.9/09/2008-CS/BR, dated 6th.November,2008, and out of the released fund, a sum of Rs.48.84 lakhs has been utilized for which it was sanctioned and that the balance of Rs.1.156 lakhs remaining unutilized as on 31st March 2009 will be utilized during the 2009-10 financial year. Yours faithfully (S.T.Lachungpa, IFS) Principal Chief Conservator of Forests -cum- Secretary

270

FORM OF UTILISATION CERTIFICATE

1.Certified that Rs.65.355 lakhs of grants-in-aid sanctioned during the year 2008-2009, and released Rs.49.996 lakhs, as 1st.installments, in favour of the PCCF Cum Secretary, Forests, Environment & wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim under the Ministry Letter No. given in the margin, a

sum of Rs.48.84 lakhs has been utilized for implementation of Management Action Plan (MAP) for Conservation and Management of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve for which it was sanctioned and that the balance of Rs.1.156 lakhs remaining unutilized as on 31st March 2009 will be utilized during the 2009-10 financial year.

2. Certified that I have satisfied myself that the condition on which the grant-in-aid was sanctioned has been duly fulfilled and that I have exercised the following checks to see that the money was actually utilized for the purpose for which it was sanctioned.

Kinds of check exercised:

1. Spot checking. 2. Materials checking 3. Bill & M.B checking.

( N. T. Bhutia, IFS )

ADDL. PR.CCF-CUM- CHIEF WILDLIFE WARDEN

FORESTS, ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

Counter signature of the Pr.CCF-cum-Secretary

Sl. No.

Letter No. & dated

Amount (Rs. in Lakhs)

1

No.9 / 09/2008-CS/BR Dated: 6th.November,2008,

Rs.65.355

TOTAL Rs.65.355

271

PROGRESS REPORT IN RESPECT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF MANAGEMENT

ACTION PLAN (MAP) FOR CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE- SIKKIM FOR THE YEAR 2008-2009.

Sl.

No.

Item/

head

Unit/Cost

(Rs./Unit)

Phy.

target Location

Fin. target

(Rs.in lakhs.)

Phy. target

achieved Ha./Nos.

Fin. target

achieved

A ECO- DEVELOPMENTS ACTIVITIES

1 Toilets 0.35/-each 15

familiesPoor families of Buffer village

5.25 15

Families 5.25

B SOCIAL WELFARE ACTIVITIES

1 Cattle immunization

LS 180 Nos.

Chungthang, Yuksom & Dzongu

3.00 180

livestock 3.00

2 Nature trip

LS 22 Nos. Trip to Jaldapara WL Sanctuary

1.00 22 Nos. 1.00

C HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1

Bamboo

Plantation

Rs.25143/-ha 30 ha

Chungthang,

Yuksom & Dzongu

7.54 30ha. 6.19

2

Maintenance of 2nd yr.pltn.

Rs.8000/- 30 ha 2.40 30.ha 2.40

3

Improvement

&maintenance of high altitude

1-00.lakh /each

6 Nos.

Bikmatar,Talem

,Kishong,Dzongri & Saumitey, West

6.00 6 Nos. 6.00

272

water-bodies

D INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

1 Approach road 16.00.lakhs/ Km

0.5 km.

Wildlife Interpretation Centre at Yuksom

8.00 0.5. Km. 8.00

2 Renovation of Log-Hut

4.00 lakhs

1No. Sangnok-I No.

4.00 1No. 4.00

3

Development of

camping sites

2.00

lakhs/each

2. Nos (Dzongri &

Kishongla) 4.00 2 No. 4.00

4 Drinking water supply

LS. LS

Labdang

Forest Check-post.

5.00 - 5.00

E FOREST RESEARCH,EXTENSION OF EDUCATION

1 Awareness on protection of natural resources of KBR

LS Selected buffer villages

2.00 -- 2.00

2 Sinage, natural resource posters

Ls. -- Natural Resources

on KBR

1.00 -- 1.00

F Over Head Expenses 100

Total 50.19

30.ha.31.nos 15

fam. 180 cattles

48.84.

lakhs

J.B.Subba

Joint Director (KNP/KBR)

Forests, Environment and Wildlife Management Department.

273

Annexure - XXXX

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Lepcha, G. 1997. Forests, Env. & Wildlife Department, GOS, 1998: Overview of Kanchenjunga Area, Sikkim. In WWF Nepal Programme and

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ICIMOD on Regional Consultation on Conservation of the Kanchenjunga Mountain Ecosystem Workshop held in Kathmandu, Nepal in October.

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Annexure - I

BIO-DIVERSITY OF KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, SIKKIM

FLORA - HIMALAYAN FLOWERS: Himalayan Rhubarb Rheum emodi Arisaema spp. Cordyceps sinensis Aconitum ferox Fungi Meconopsis discigera Meconopsis horridula Primula spp. Primula spp. Primula sikkimensis Saussurea lappa

BIO-DIVERSITY OF KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, SIKKIM FLORA - RHODODENDRONS

BIO-DIVERSITY OF KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, SIKKIM FLORA - ORCHIDS Paphiopedilum spp. Dendrobium nobile (State Flower) Dendrobium spp. Catlea Dendrobium spp. Paphiopedilum spp. Dendrobium spp.

BIO-DIVERSITY OF KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, SIKKIM

FAUNA: MAMMALS

Red Panda or Cat-Bear (State Animal) Snow Leopard Himalayan Tahr Ailurus fulgens fulgens Uncia uncia Hemitragus jemlahicus Schaeferi

Great Tibetan Sheep Kiang or Tib. Wild Ass Himalayan Red Fox Ovis ammon. Equus kiang Vulpes vulpes

Tibetan Gazelle Yak Himalayan Marmot Procapra picticaudata Bos grunniens Marmota himalayana

Flying Squirrel Himalayan Langur Goral Petaurista magnificus Semnopithecus entellus Naemorhedus goral

Bharal or Blue Sheep Pseudois nayaur

This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.daneprairie.com.The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only.

BIO-DIVERSITY OF KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, SIKKIM

FAUNA: BIRDS Impeyan or Monal Pheasant Satyr Tragopan Blood Pheasant (State Bird) Lophophorus impejanus Tragopan satyra Ithaginis cruentus Snow Pigeon Ruddy Shelduck Crested Goshawk Columba leuconota Tadorna ferruginea Accipiter trivirgatus Kalij Pheasant Hill Partridge Greybacked or Tibetan Shrike Lophura leucomelana Arborophila torqueola Lanius tephronotus Himalayan Griffon Hill Pigeon Himalayan Snow Cock Gyps himalayensis Columba rupestris Tetraogallus himalayensis

BIO-DIVERSITY OF KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, SIKKIM

LAKES AND GLACIERS LAKES: Inwa Pokhri (Lake) Mujur Pokhri (Lake) Chopta Tso (Lake) Nir Pokhri (Lake) Gurudongmar Tso (Lake) Samiti Pokhri (Lake) GLACIERS: Zemu Glacier, 26 km long & 300m wide Rathong Glacier Tent Peak Glacier one of the largests in Asia. Tongshiong Glacier Talung Glacier

BIO-DIVERSITY OF KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, SIKKIM RIVERS AND WATERFALLS RIVERS

Teesta-Rangit Rivers confluence Chopta Chu Kanaka Chu Lashar Chu WATERFALLS Famrong Waterfall Tsangnok Waterfall Tarum Waterfall Linzya Waterfall Tholung Waterfall Sakyong Waterfall

BIO-DIVERSITY OF KHANGCHENDZONGA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, SIKKIM

MOUNTAINS AND PEAKS

Mt. Khangchendzonga (8586 m.), the third highest mountain of the world. (as seen from western side) Mt. Khangchendzonga (8586 m) Tent Peak (7365 m) (as seen from northern side)

Mt. Siniolchu (6886 m) Chhumakhang (6212 m) Jhopuno Peak (5936 m) Mt. Narsing (5825 m)

Khangchendzonga Mountain Range with several peaks