Wildlife Of Sikkim
Kanchendzonga National Park
is spread across an
area of 850sq km, and is the largest wildlife reserve in Sikkim. The third highest peak on the planet – the Kanchendzonga, straddles the western boundary of the park, from which the reserve gets its name. The reserve also includes the vast Zemu Glacier. Situated in such an inaccessible expanse, the region has remained untouched to quite a large extent.
In fact it said that a large area of the park remains yet unexplored by man! The reserve is home to the snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, Tibetan antelope, wild ass, barking deer, musk deer, flying squirrel and the red panda who live in blissful isolation amongst giant magnolias, rhododendrons and pine forests. Entry to the park remains restricted to mountaineers and to more serious expeditions. If interested, contact a local travel agent in Gangtok for the permit and other formalities.
Best Season to Visit
March - May and September - November.erious expeditions. If interested, contact a local travel agent in Gangtok for the permit and other formalities.
Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary
Best Season to Visit March to late May and September to mid- December.
Area 51.76 sq km
Distance 20 km( from Gangtok )
Altitude 1280 - 2652 m
Note : Entry to Sanctuary is permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok .
This is located about 20 kilometers from Gangtok and covers an area of about 5,200 hectares above the road between Singtam and Dikchu with the highest point at a place called Tinjure at 7,000 ft. where a wooden observation tower of the Forest Department exists. The Sanctuary is the home of Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda, Civet cat and many varieties of birds and butterflies. The Binturong or Bear-Cat (Arctictis binturong) is a rare civet reported from here.
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary
Southern Sikkim has the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, spread across 3,500ha of land. The temperate forest is home to the red panda, leopard, black eagle and civet cat amongst other animals and birds found in the region.
The 3,260ft high Maenam Peak also lies within the confines of the reserve. Rabongla is the closest town to the Sanctuary.
Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
Kyongnosala Alpine 
Sanctuary is located at a distance of 31 km east of Gangtok on the way to Nathu La. Its present area of 31 sq km extends from 15th Mile police check post upto and along the Edges bordering Rong Chu and Tsongu Lake. The sanctuary is rich both in flora and fauna. Rare, endangered ground orchids and rhododendrons interspersed among tall junipers and taller silver firs are among the important plants present. Rhododendron nevium the State Tree of Sikkim and Cypripedium tibeticum the ground slipper orchid on the verge of extinction, have been introduced here.
The area is snow covered often upto May when primulas pop up through the snow and rhododendrons come into bud. By June July they are in full bloom. Flowering succession by the many species continues right through to October when Polygonum is the last to flower, dries up. First snowfall is normally by December - January.
Best Season to Visit
April - August and October - November
Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary
Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is located in North Sikkim in the famous Lachung Valley at a distance of 137 km from Gangtok.The sanctuary is bounded on its southern periphery by the Yakchey La and on the northern periphery by the Yumthang Valley known for its alpine meadow and hot springs.
It is hemmed in on the east by the high rugged Chuba-Sagochen mountain ranges and on the west by part of Chomzomei Tso extending upto Lava pass. The picturesque Yumthang Chhu (river) flows through the sanctuary, which is known for its unique abundance of Rhododendron trees and shrubs, 40 species/varieties of which are recorded from Sikkim alone.
Rhododendron nevium the state tree occurs only in this sanctuary which is also rich in ground flora such as primulas, potentillas, gentians, saxifrages, poppies and aconites. Brown Trout were introduced into Yumthang Chhu at Phunyi in 1978 and have been flourishing since. Lachung is the last frontier village before reaching the sanctuary. There is a Forest Rest House here, as well as one at Yumthang.
Best Season to Visit
March - May, October - December
