All About The Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary In Sikkim

From rugged mountains in the north to flower valleys in the south, Sikkim renews your mind and soul. The small state is extremely diverse with each region hosting its unique biodiversity, dialects, history, and geographies. It is also a fully organic state. The Himalayan wonderland also offers unique and off-the-beaten-track experiences.

A big draw in Sikkim are the sanctuaries and nature reserves. Looking for the red panda, trying to photograph the elusive snow leopard, or hiking through a rhododendron forest when the flowers are in full bloom are a few of the activities that make Sikkim exciting. One such place is the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, which was designated a protected biosphere in 1999. A Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) camera trap recently captured a Royal Bengal Tiger moving around Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in East Sikkim at an incredible altitude of 3,640 m (11,942 ft) in December 2023. It is the highest elevation at which a tiger has ever been recorded in the country. Here's your guide to the sanctuary located in East Sikkim.

A Biodiverse Landscape

The wildlife sanctuary, which covers approximately 124 square kilometres, is home to some cosy hamlets such as Aritar, Dakline Lingtam, Phadamchen, and Dzuluk.

Pangolakha lies at the crossroads of the Palearctic and Indomalayan realms and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The Pangolakha Range, which runs beneath the Chola Range, separates Sikkim from Bhutan. The Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary is in the Pakyong District of Sikkim, approximately 28 kilometres east of Rorathang and 40 kilometres from Rangpo city. It is linked to neighbouring Bhutan's forests and West Bengal's Neora Valley National Park. The forest continues further down as the Neora Valley National Park, an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).

Meet The Flora And Fauna In Pangolakha

The exceptional biodiverse landscape supports many species, including species that are endemic to the region and are not found anywhere else in the world. Due to the progressive conservation policies of the government that are supported by the highly benign Buddhist religious beliefs of locals, Sikkim has a very high percentage of its land under official protection as Protected Areas (PA) or Important Bird Areas (IBA). The State Forest Department has set up Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) around all wildlife protected areas. In this IBA, an EDC has been set up in the village of Gnathang or Nathag.

The vegetation in the sanctuary is typically alpine-temperate-subtropical. Visitors can walk through forests of rhododendrons, silver fir, juniper, and moss-covered oaks. The region is also frequented by tigers, leopards, red foxes, musk deer, yellow-throated martens, and the Himalayan weasel. It is also home to herpetofauna like the Himalayan salamander, and hillstream fish and brown trout. Migratory birds like the Himalayan monal, red kites, and certain eagle species pass through Nathu La and Jelep La (mountain passes). The area has some high altitude lakes like Lake Tsongmo also act as hotspots for migratory birds.

Home Of The Red Panda

The dense bamboo thickets are also ideal for red pandas. This chestnut-coloured, tree-dwelling mammal with pointed ears and bushy tail is the state animal of Sikkim and can be found on the coat of arms of the Sikkim Forest Department. They can be found in the deciduous broad leaf and coniferous forests of the eastern Himalayas, but World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports say that these forests are steadily being cleared for timber extraction, agricultural development and livestock grazing, and the species has been extensively hunted for its pelt—used in traditional hats and clothing across the border in China.

Spotting The Snow Leopard

Found in high altitude alpine and sub-alpine areas, this elusive animal has been captured on camera only a few times in northern and western Sikkim. But climate change and possibly vanishing food ecosystems has meant it is being seen in lower altitudes now. In January 2019, hidden cameras captured a snow leopard in the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary.

What To See Around The Sanctuary

Aritar

Easily accessible but far from the noisy crowd, Aritar, in east Sikkim, is an ideal place for those who want to spend a short vacation in the lap of nature. Enjoy a clear view of the Kanchenjunga range, the surrounding forests, and the lake. Pay a visit to the old Gumpha (monastery) belonging to the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Trek to Mankhim Dara for a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside the temple here belongs to the ethnic Rai community.

Kupup Lake

Also known as the Elephant Lake because of its shape, the lake is located near Kupup village. The nearby Yak Golf Course is maintained by the Indian Golf Union the Guinness Book of World Records has certified this as the world's highest altitude gold course in December 2006. Running through the golf course is a part of the famous Younghusband Track of the historical military expedition to Tibet in 1903.

Where To Stay

You have a variety of stay options from homestays like the Baichung Homestay or the Lamakhang Homestay, located in Phadamchen village in East Sikkim. Or try the Pangolakha Wilderness Homestay, an eco tourism project to host wildlife and nature enthusiasts. You could also base yourself in Gangtok, around an hour away. Bookmans BnB is a great option with an attached bookstore and a fab cafe.  

Getting There

The nearest well-connected airport is in Bagdogra, which is located about 120 km away from Gangtok. Gangtok which can be easily accessed from neighbouring cities like Darjeeling and Siliguri via a network of well-maintained roads. The nearest railway station to Gangtok is New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP), located about 120 km away. Gangtok to Pangolakha is around 42km. You can hire a vehicle to get there.