Sikkim (सिक्किम) is the 22nd state of India occupies a total area of 7096 sq km and lies between 27° 5' and 28° 10'N Latitude and 88° 4' and 88° 58' E Longitude.

Sikkim was a sovereign kingdom, later became the 22nd state of India in 1975. Sikkim has four districts East Sikkim, West Sikkim, North Sikkim & South Sikkim is India's smallest state in terms of population and second smallest in area after Goa. It is considered as the land of tranquility, peace and hidden paradise. Sikkim comprise of beautiful valleys, historical sites, ages old religious shrines, where people share rich cultural and heritage. Sikkim is fast becoming the hot spot for both domestic and foreign tourists and it is also the most peaceful state in whole Indian Union. Sikkim's capital is Gangtok and other major towns are Gyalshing, Pelling, Yoksum and Jorethang. The Languages spoken are English, Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali and Hindi. The main source of revenue has been tourism, It shares its border with Bhutan to the east, Nepal to its west, Tibet (China) to the north and Indian mainlands to its south.

Contents 1 Physical Features 2 Climate 3 Natural Resource 4 Tourism 5 Economic 6 Education 7 Health Services 8 Religion institutions 9 Infrastructure 10 Media

Physical Features

Sikkim may be small in area, may be only second smallest after Goa, but it has rich physical features like forests, rivers and mountains that define it's boundaries. Most of the peaks above 6100 meters (2000ft) lie towards the western border of State. On the western border lies the third highest mountain of the world - the Kanchendzonga 8588 meters (28168 ft). Other peaks that stand at altitudes of above 6100 meters (20000ft) are Kabru, which is also the second highest mountain in the state. Sinilchu, Pandim, Rothong, Kokthang, Talung, Kanglakhang, Simvo & Jonsang. On the eastern border the most imposing peak is Paunhri, at an altitude of about 6700 meters(22000ft). The other mountains that are slightly less than 6100 meters (20000ft) are Masthonangye, Yabukjakchen, Narsing and Lamaonden. Most of the peaks of Sikkim have remained unscaled because the Sikkimese consider them sacred and feel that they will lose their sanctity if climbed.

Climate

The climate ranges from sub-tropical in the south to tundra in the northern parts. Most of the inhabited regions of Sikkim, however, enjoy a temperate climate, with the temperatures seldom exceeding 28 °C (82 °F) in summer or dropping below 0 °C (32 °F) in winter. The state enjoys five seasons: winter, summer, spring, and autumn, and a monsoon season between June and September. The average annual temperature for most of Sikkim is around 18 °C (64 °F). Sikkim is one of the few states in India to receive regular snowfall. The snow line is around 6,000 meters (19,600 feet). During the monsoon months, the state is lashed by heavy rains that increase the number of landslides. The state record for the longest period of non-stop rain is eleven days. In the northern region, because of high altitude, temperatures drop below -40 °C in winter. Fog also affects many parts of the state during winter and the monsoons, making transportation extremely perilous.

Natural Resource

Sikkim is amply blessed with all the bounty of nature. Nearly 26% of the flowering plants in India are found in Sikkim as endemic species. Sikkim has 362 types of ferns and 400 species of butterflies & moths, 227 natural mountains lakes out of which visitors have seen only two of them. Similarly, Sikkim has 28 mountains and peaks, 21 glaciers, 424 medicinal plants, 104 rivers and steams, 448 species of orchids, 37 rhododendrons, 21 species of bamboos, 30 species of primulas and 48 species of fish, so on and forth. Sikkim has 0.5% of the land area of India but have over 26% of the biodiversity. The hydro power potential in Sikkim alone is estimated to be a whopping 800 MW, the government is trying to tap on this huge potential in collaboration with NHPC. Five major power projects identified along with Teesta basin. 510 MW Teesta hydroelectric Project Stage V generates 2172 million units annually which could be exported to other parts of India, generating handsome revenue for the State. Besides Testa Projects, the Central Electricity Authority of India has recently Identified a total of 21 macro and mini Power schemes for the state located in places like Rolep, Ralang, Chakung chu, Chujachen and Dikchu.

Tourism

During few years tourist spots have been developed throughout the state and have been well published in all leading national and international magazines. By placing Tourism in the category of Industry, unlimited opportunities have been opened. The State is encouraging adventure sports, rafting, trekking and rock climbing, it represents the state in ASEAN car rally, mountain bike rally and exhibits para gliding. The state has opened up three mountain peaks for alpine expedition. Currently tourism has provided 15,000+ jobs in Sikkim state.

There has been an increase in the revenue earned through tourism. The revenue has reached INR 60 - 70 Crores (i.e between $14898318 - $17381372). To support this trend the state and central government is spending INR 25 Crores ($6207632) each year on tourism related projects. After 1995, under the guidance of tourism department 200+ travel agencies have been established and they are regularly trained and made sensitive to environmental issues. More passes are being issued to vehicles going to Nathula Tourist spot.

Economic

Three big industries and 245 small scale industries have come up in the state. They are running successfully. Sick industries are also being uplifted, privatized or closed down. There are 496 cooperative societies and 94 consumer cooperatives in the state which are being provided loan through SISCO bank. Till now 1270+ people and organizations have been benefited. Former prime minister of India, Shri Atal Behari vajpayee during his visit to Sikkim Announced an economic package of INR 500 crores ($124152658) for the State.

Education

Today there are total of 783 state Government Schools, with 503 Primary Schools, 146 Junior High Schools, 93 Secondary Schools, 93 Secondary Schools and 41 Senior Secondary Schools in Sikkim. Pre-primary sections are attached to all the State Government schools to prepare the children to enter into the school system. The total enrollment during 2005-2006 in the State Government schools was 1,32,414 (including primary sections) with 65,080 boys and 67,334 girls. Growth rate of female literacy has been higher than those of boys in Sikkim. There are 7 central Government Schools with total enrollment of 1862 students. 341 private schools are functioning throughout the state with a total enrollment of 32,264.There are 12 Sanskrit Pathsalas, 70 Monastic schools and 7 Islamic schools. The foreign Language training for capacity building for unemployed youth in English, Tibetan, Chinese, French, German, Thai and Japanese started from 2006. Currently Literacy is 69.68+% in State. The State Government is committed to make Sikkim literacy rate up to 100% by 2015.

Health Services

Health services are free in all Government Health centers in Sikkim. There are 24 Primary health centers and 147 PHSCs in the State. Most of the Health centers of the state are better than the national Average. In comparison to the national indicators, the health indicators of Sikkim are three times better. In Sikkim the ratio of hospital bet :people is 1:530 whereas it is 1:1451 (2004-2005) at the national level. Similarly, the ratio of patients: doctor is 2504:1; the ratio of population:nurse is 3359:1; whereas the same ratios at the national level are 3500:1 and 5000:1, respectively, in the state, on an average, a doctor attends 4.72 beds and nurses 6.33 beds. Sikkim is the first state to launch Hepatitis B immunization from 14th August 2001. Leprosy prevalence rate is 0.68%/10,000, elimination level already achieved. More than 90% of the children are vaccinated against life threatening diseases. Sikkim is the first state, which has succeeded in vaccinating all the children below the age of one with Hepatitis B vaccines. Under this program more than 30,000 children have been inoculated. From sept 2004 aged 1 to 5 are being vaccinated free of cost with Hepatitis-B vaccine. Till now more than 10,000 children have been vaccinated.

Smoking is banned in all public places, the sale of Gutka is prohibited. A rehabilitation center of drug addicts and liquor addicts have been opened at Nimtar, east Sikkim.

Religion institutions

On 14th February 2004, a 135 ft. tall statue of Sikkim's Patron Saint, Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) was installed at Samdruptse, Namchi. At Solophok in Namchi, a 108 ft. tall statue of Laor Shiva, the holy Char Dham of Hindus with idols of various gods and goddess of different communities of Sikkim have been installed. Presently there are 723 religious institutions of different faiths in Sikkim.

Infrastructure

936 km roads of state has been carpeted, the construction of 309 km new link roads also completed. A sum of Rs. 500 crore ($124152658) has been sanctioned by the central government for construction of an alternative highway to connect Sikkim with the rest of the country. Plans are underway out to connect Melli of Sikkim with Mamring; and Jorethang with Namchi through alternative highways. The State Government has linked the entire villages of Sikkim with roads and upgraded existing roads by carpeting them. CC footpaths have been constructed in almost all the villages of Sikkim. To modernize means of transport helicopter services have been introduced in Sikkim, till now eight helipads have been constructed throughout the state. New structures such as Chintan Bhawan, Samman Bhawan, Janta Bhawan, SREDA bhawan, Ashirbad Bhawan, Circuit House, Youth Hostel, Kanchenjunga Shopping Complex, Car parks in Deorali and Baluwakhani in Gangtok and in Ranipool have been constructed. Strom drainage system was constructed in National Highway between Gangtok & Ranipool. At Pakyong, East Sikkim the construction of airport has already begun, and Sikkim occupies the first position in Tele density. Sikkim has a number of hydroelectric power stations, providing a steady electricity source.

Media

Before 1994 there were only 20 accredited newspapers in Sikkim, Today there are more than 70 daily, bi-weekly and weekly newspapers are published in Sikkim. For the protection of the rights of the journalists "Press Club of Sikkim" has also been established. Number of net-Cafes are also established in Sikkim, after introduction to broadband in State, surfing has been quite faster in these Cafes. Also the paid satellite dish TVs have been introduced in Sikkim, now people have choices between Cable Operators and Dish TVs. And almost all major towns have cellular network coverages in Sikkim, the major service providers are BSNL, Reliance Infocomm, Hutch, Airtel & BSNL.