Sikkim Wildlife

Flora
Sikkim's local name "Denzong" translates as the Valley of Rice which is the chief crop of the State. Basically, Sikkim can be divided into three zones- the tropical, temperate and the alpine.
The terraced farmlands have rice, maize and barley as the main crops. Other crops like ginger, potatoes and oranges are also grown. One of the chief cash crops of the state is Large Cardamom. The jungles in the South District teem with plantains, bamboo tree ferns, walnut, sal and oak, while the North abounds in Pine and Silver Fir.
Terraced Rice Fields

Rhododendrons

There are about 36 rhododendrons in Sikkim found at 10,000 ft. Their variety is as diverse as the colours. From the giant Rhododendrqn (over 40ft) to the Rhododendron Nivale (a few inches off the ground), and from the pale white.

The delicate but hardy found at heights of 12,000 ft and above. The Himalayan rhubarb is a unique future Primulae area, standing upright like candles in the arid vast.

Orchids

Sikkim's orchids are world-famous State has more than 450 species of them, colours range from the richest to the species as varied as Cymbidiums, Cattlelyas, Dendrobiums, Hooheriana, F-ar Amoneum. The State flower is the Nobile^riKidjQf the Dendrobium family.

Fauna

Since the area of Sikkim ranges from the tropical to the alpine, the flora and fauna is unique in it's diversity. Nowhere else on earth does such a small area comprise of so many species and varieties. Even the seemingly Himalayan desert landscape in the North has a plethora of wild ducks and wild asses that roam the plains.

The natural wealth of Sikkim has been surveyed in detail by, among others, DrJ.D.Hooker in the mid 20th century and more recently by the celebrated orinthologist of India, Dr Salim Ali, who was also known as the "Birdman".

Sikkim has more than 500 species of avifauna ranging from the majestic Bearded Vulture with a wing-span of over 10 ft to the Olive Ground Warbler, just a few inches in length.

Other delightful species include the Emerald Dove, woodpeckers, cuckoos, kingfishers, and the fairy blue bird.

Sikkim also has more than 600 species of Butterflies many of them rare and endangered. The forests resound to the bark of the Barking Deer which shares it's habitat with the adorable little Red Panda ( also the State animal. The Musk Deer, Leopard cats, and flying squirrels to name a few.

The higher regions have Blue Sheep known commonly as the Bharal, the, Shapi which is similar to the Himalayan Tahr, the Tibetan Wild Ass, locally known as the Kyang and the Himalyan Black Bear.