Flora and Fauna of Sikkim
Sikkim is really a natural wonder that is spread over a vast variety of altitudes from the sea level to the snowy peaks and tops. To understand the different regions here, the whole state can be divided into three zones. The Tropical about 1500 mts above sea level,the temperate about 1500 mts to 3500 mts and finally the Alpine region above 3500 mts. Till 3000 mts, you will find the growth of wheat, rice, maize, barley and millet grown along with other offerings like Cardamom, oranges, apples, potatoes and ginger that also grow very abundantly here.
This is also the great reason that you will find here huge varieties of Flora and Fauna that only Sikkim is gifted with and the geographical boundary which may seem small holds the world’s largest treasure of both Flora as well as Fauna. The lifeless northern plateau of Sikkim comprises of ducks and wild asses. Sikkim’s botanical and zoological richness and diversity is gifted with more than four thousand species of plants and thirty percent of all the birds found in the Indian Subcontinent.
The land of Sikkim is blessed with beautiful orchids like Cymbidiums, Vanda, Cattaleya, Hookeriana, Farmori, Dendrobium and Amoenum. The Nobile Orchid is the state flower of Sikkim. The Fauna is also very rich here and you will find everything from Leapord Cats, Common Langur, Red Panda, Musk Deer, Himalayan Black Bear& Flying Squirrel.
There are around 36 species of Rhododendrons within Sikkim. To see the bright blooming Rhododendrons in the valley of Sikkim, February to May will be the best months to do so. Above the normal altitude above 4500 mts you will see the medicinal plants like the Jethamasi, Kurki, Bikhuma, Yasagompoo, Sharmaguru, Panchamley and few others.
Red Panda is one of the rarest of animals which Sikkim is famous for and is found here between altitudes of 2400 mts and 3500 mts. You will also find many colorful birds like Emerald Doves, Fairy Blue bird, Kingfisher, Woodpeckers, Sultan tit and the amazing Emerald Cuckoo. Besides you will also find 690 species of butterflies here.
