Top 9 Famous Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim

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Sikkim Wildlife Sanctuary :

Nestled in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim is a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Sikkim’s pristine landscapes, ranging from dense forests to towering peaks, provide a sanctuary for an incredible array of flora and fauna. Amidst this enchanting scenery, Sikkim boasts several renowned wildlife sanctuaries that are pivotal in preserving its unique biodiversity.

In this blog, we journeyed to uncover the magic of Sikkim’s famous wildlife sanctuaries. From the UNESCO World Heritage site of Khangchendzonga National Park to the vibrant blooms of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, we’ll traverse the diverse landscapes and introduce you to the fascinating creatures that call these sanctuaries home. Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or simply seeking a connection with nature, Sikkim’s wildlife sanctuaries offer an opportunity to witness Mother Nature’s finest creations.

Wildlife Sanctuary of Sikkim :

1- Khangchendzonga National Park

Here are some details about Khangchendzonga National Park:

Khangchendzonga National Park is a national park and a biosphere reserve in Sikkim, India. It was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in July 2016, becoming India’s first “Mixed Heritage” site.
The park is named after the mountain Kangchenjunga, the third-highest peak in the world at 8,586 meters (28,169 ft) tall.
The park is home to various animals, including the snow leopard, the red panda, the Himalayan tahr, the musk deer, the Himalayan serow, the leopard, the clouded leopard, and the black bear.
It also has a wide variety of plant life, including rhododendrons, oaks, and fir trees.
The park is a popular tourist destination accessible by road from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.

The park is divided into three zones: the inner zone, the buffer zone, and the transition zone. The inner zone is the most protected and is only accessible to researchers and scientists. Most of the park’s tourism activities occur in the buffer zone. The transition zone is between the buffer zone and the outside world.

The park is home to several trekking trails, including the Goechala trek, one of the most popular treks in the Himalayas.

The park faces several threats, including climate change, deforestation, and poaching. The park authorities are working to address these threats and to conserve the park’s unique biodiversity.

2- Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary

Here are some details about Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary:

Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in the East Sikkim district of the Indian state of Sikkim
It is contiguous with Khangchendzonga National Park and located around 30 km (19 mi) west of Gangtok.
It hosts a few small hamlets inside, namely Dikchu, Pangthang, and Mangan and is managed by State Forest Department.
The sanctuary is spread over an area of 51 km2 (20 sq mi) and has an elevation ranging between 1524 to 2749 metres (5001 to 9016 ft).
The sanctuary is home to various animals, including the red panda, the Himalayan black bear, the barking deer, the yellow-throated marten, and the Himalayan tahr.
It is also rich in flora with abundance of rhododendron and orchids.
The sanctuary is a popular tourist destination and is accessible by road from Gangtok.

Some of the things you can do in Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary include:

Trekking: There are some trekking trails in the sanctuary, including the Tinjurey trek, which is a moderate trek that takes you to the highest point in the sanctuary.
Birdwatching: The sanctuary is home to various birds, including the rufous-headed hornbill, the laughingthrush, and the satyr tragopan.
Wildlife viewing: You can spot several animals in the sanctuary, including the red panda, the Himalayan black bear, and the Himalayan tahr.
Nature photography: The sanctuary is a beautiful place to take photos of the natural surroundings.

The best time to visit Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary is during the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) seasons, when the weather is pleasant.

3- Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary

Here are some details about the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary:

Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is a protected area in the West Sikkim district of the Indian state of Sikkim. It is located at an altitude of 2,700 to 3,600 meters (8,858 to 11,811 ft).
The sanctuary was established in 1996 to protect the rhododendron trees, which bloom in March and April.
It is home to over 600 species of rhododendrons, making it one of the richest rhododendron sanctuaries in the world.
The sanctuary is also home to various other plants and animals, including the Himalayan tahr, the musk deer, and the red panda.
The sanctuary is a popular tourist destination and is accessible by road from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.

Some of the things you can do in Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary include:

Trekking: There are several trekking trails in the sanctuary, including the Barsey Rhododendron Trek, a moderate trek that takes you through the heart of the sanctuary.
Birdwatching: The sanctuary is home to various birds, including the rufous-headed hornbill, the laughingthrush, and the satyr tragopan.
Wildlife viewing: You can spot several animals in the sanctuary, including the Himalayan tahr, the musk deer, and the red panda.
Nature photography: The sanctuary is a beautiful place to take photos of the natural surroundings.

The best time to visit Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is during the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) seasons, when the weather is pleasant and the rhododendrons are in bloom.

4- Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary

Here are some details about Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary:

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is a nature park in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is located in the Yumthang Valley of North Sikkim district, and is famous for its rhododendron trees, which bloom in March and April.
The sanctuary is spread over 43 ha (106.9 acres) and lies at an altitude of 3,048 to 4,575 m (10,000 to 14,993 ft).
It is home to over 40 species of rhododendrons, making it one of the richest rhododendron sanctuaries in the world.
The sanctuary is also home to various other plants and animals, including the Himalayan tahr, the musk deer, and the red panda.

Some of the things you can do in Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary include:

Trekking: There are several trekking trails in the sanctuary, including the Yumthang Valley Trek, a moderate trek that takes you through the heart of the sanctuary.
Birdwatching: The sanctuary is home to various birds, including the rufous-headed hornbill, the laughingthrush, and the satyr tragopan.
Wildlife viewing: You can spot some animals in the sanctuary, including the Himalayan tahr, the musk deer, and the red panda.
Nature photography: The sanctuary is a beautiful place to take photos of the natural surroundings.

The best time to visit Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is during the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) seasons, when the weather is pleasant and the rhododendrons are in bloom.

5- Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary

Here are some details about Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary:

Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in East Sikkim, India. It is located around 31 km (19 mi) east of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.
The sanctuary is spread over 31 km2 (12 sq mi) and has an elevation of 2,700 to 4,000 metres (8,858 to 13,123 ft).
The sanctuary is home to various animals, including the snow leopard, the Himalayan tahr, the monal pheasant, the blood pheasant, and the musk deer.
It is also rich in flora with abundance of rhododendron and orchids.
The sanctuary is a popular tourist destination accessible by road from Gangtok.

Some of the things you can do in Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary include:

Trekking: There are several trekking trails in the sanctuary, including the Kyongnosla Alpine Trek, a moderate trek that takes you through the heart of the sanctuary.
Birdwatching: The sanctuary is home to various birds, including the rufous-headed hornbill, the laughingthrush, and the satyr tragopan.
Wildlife viewing: You can spot some animals in the sanctuary, including the snow leopard, the Himalayan tahr, and the monal pheasant.
Nature photography: The sanctuary is a beautiful place to take photos of the natural surroundings.

The best time to visit Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is during the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) seasons, when the weather is pleasant.

6- Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary

Here are some details about Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary:

Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve in India’s Pakyong District of Sikkim. It is about 28 kilometres (17 mi) east of Rorathang and about 40 kilometres (25 mi) by road from Rangpo city.
The total notified area of the park is around 124 square kilometres (48 sq mi) while inside the wildlife sanctuary there are a few hamlets: Aritar, Dakline Lingtam, Phadamchen, Dzuluk, Gnathang Monastery Kupup. This wildlife sanctuary is linked to the forests of Neora Valley National Park of West Bengal and the forests of Samtse, Bhutan and Haa district Bhutan.
Altitudinal range of the sanctuary lies between 1,760 and 4,390 m (5,770 and 14,400 ft). Pangolakha range in the east separates Sikkim from its eastern neighboring country Bhutan. In contrast, it is linked through forest patches to the south with Neora Valley National Park in West Bengal. Some high altitude lakes are present there, including Lake Tsongmo, which act as a biodiversity hotspot for migratory birds. Rivers and their tributaries from the north are frozen from December to March; whereas they all flow with an enormous volume of water during rainy season from mid-April to mid-October.
The sanctuary was established in 2002 to protect the red panda, the state animal of Sikkim.
The sanctuary is also home to a variety of other animals, including the Himalayan tahr, the leopard, the clouded leopard, and the musk deer.
The sanctuary’s flora is also diverse, with over 500 species of plants, including rhododendrons, oaks, and fir trees.
The sanctuary is a popular tourist destination accessible by road from Gangtok.

Some of the things you can do in Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary include:

Trekking: There are some trekking trails in the sanctuary, including the Pangolakha Trek, which is a moderate trek that takes you through the heart of the sanctuary.
Birdwatching: The sanctuary is home to various birds, including the rufous-headed hornbill, the laughingthrush, and the satyr tragopan.
Wildlife viewing: You can spot many animals in the sanctuary, including the red panda, the Himalayan tahr, and the leopard.
Nature photography: The sanctuary is a beautiful place to take photos of the natural surroundings.

The best time to visit Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary is during the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) seasons, when the weather is pleasant and the rhododendrons are in bloom.

7- Tendong Hill Wildlife Sanctuary

Tendong Hill Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in the South Sikkim district of the Indian state of Sikkim. It is spread over an area of 255 hectares (630 acres) and has an elevation ranging between 2,200 to 3,000 meters (7,220 to 9,840 ft).

The sanctuary was established in 1997 to protect the red panda, the state animal of Sikkim. The sanctuary is also home to various other animals, including the Himalayan tahr, the leopard, the clouded leopard, and the musk deer.

The sanctuary’s flora is also diverse, with over 500 species of plants, including rhododendrons, oaks, and fir trees.

The sanctuary is a popular tourist destination and is accessible by road from Namchi.

Some of the things you can do in Tendong Hill Wildlife Sanctuary include:

Trekking: There is a 6-km trek to the top of Tendong Hill, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Birdwatching: The sanctuary is home to various birds, including the rufous-headed hornbill, the laughingthrush, and the satyr tragopan.
Wildlife viewing: You can spot many animals in the sanctuary, including the red panda, the Himalayan tahr, and the leopard.
Nature photography: The sanctuary is a beautiful place to take photos of the natural surroundings.

The best time to visit Tendong Hill Wildlife Sanctuary is during the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) seasons, when the weather is pleasant.

8- Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary

Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in Ravangla, near Namchi City in the Namchi district of the Indian state of Sikkim. It is spread over 36.34 square kilometers (14 square miles).

The literal meaning of maenam-la is “treasure-house of medicines”, and the sanctuary’s flora is rich in several medicinal plants. Established in 1987, Maenam wildlife sanctuary lies 34 kilometres (21 mi) from Namchi City, the district headquarter, 65 kilometres (40 mi) southwest of the state capital Gangtok and is a popular tourist destination.

The sanctuary is home to a variety of animals, including the red panda, the Himalayan tahr, the leopard, the clouded leopard, the barking deer, the Himalayan serow, the common hill partridge, the blood pheasant, and the Blue necked Pita.

The sanctuary is also home to some medicinal plants, including the saussurea costus, the aconitum heterophyllum, and the podophyllum hexandrum.

The sanctuary is a popular tourist destination and is accessible by road from Gangtok.

Some of the things you can do in Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary include:

Trekking: There are a number of trekking trails in the sanctuary, including the Maenam Gompa Trek, which is a moderate trek that takes you through the heart of the sanctuary.
Birdwatching: The sanctuary is home to a variety of birds, including the rufous-headed hornbill, the laughingthrush, and the satyr tragopan.
Wildlife viewing: You can spot a number of animals in the sanctuary, including the red panda, the Himalayan tahr, and the leopard.
Nature photography: The sanctuary is a beautiful place to take photos of the natural surroundings.

The best time to visit Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary is during the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) seasons, when the weather is pleasant.

9- Shyangboche (Sangachoeling) Wildlife Sanctuary

Shyangboche (Sangachoeling) Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in the eastern part of Sikkim, India. It is spread over an area of 51 km2 (20 sq mi) and has an elevation of 1,524 to 2,749 metres (5,001 to 9,016 ft).

The sanctuary was established in 1983 to protect the red panda, the state animal of Sikkim. The sanctuary is also home to various other animals, including the Himalayan tahr, the leopard, the clouded leopard, the barking deer, the Himalayan serow, and the common hill partridge.

The flora of the sanctuary is also diverse, with over 500 species of plants, including rhododendrons, oaks, and fir trees.

The sanctuary is a popular tourist destination accessible by road from Gangtok.

Some of the things you can do in Shyangboche (Sangachoeling) Wildlife Sanctuary include:

Trekking: There are many trekking trails in the sanctuary, including the Tinjurey trek, which is a moderate trek that takes you to the highest point in the sanctuary.
Birdwatching: The sanctuary is home to various birds, including the rufous-headed hornbill, the laughingthrush, and the satyr tragopan.
Wildlife viewing: You can spot many animals in the sanctuary, including the red panda, the Himalayan tahr, and the leopard.
Nature photography: The sanctuary is a beautiful place to take photos of the natural surroundings.

The best time to visit Shyangboche (Sangachoeling) Wildlife Sanctuary is during the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) seasons, when the weather is pleasant.

Final Note:

These sanctuaries are not merely places of natural beauty but symbols of hope and resilience. They remind us of the importance of preserving our planet’s ecological balance, protecting endangered species, and nurturing the fragile ecosystems that sustain life.

Visiting Sikkim’s wildlife sanctuaries isn’t just a journey into the heart of nature; it’s an invitation to become stewards of our planet. It’s a call to protect and cherish the wild for generations.

As you bid adieu to this virtual exploration of Sikkim’s wild wonders, remember that the magic of these sanctuaries is not confined to words and images. It awaits you in the forest’s depths, the rustling of leaves, and the whispers of the wind. So, when the time is right, pack your bags, embark on an adventure, and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Sikkim’s famous wildlife sanctuaries.