Flora and Fauna Sikkim is well-known for its biodiversity. From the plains ofnorthern Bengal, the top of Kanchendzonga lies only about 80 kmaway as the crow flies. These 80 km involve a steep verticalclimb of 8,000 m and represent one of the world's steepestaltitude gradients. This accounts for the incredible variety offlora and fauna found in the region, from tropical to subarctic.

The spectacular Himalayan Primula. (Download Realplayer)

Rainforests of Sikkim Credit: Karamjeet Singh

Sikkim is a botanist's paradise. It is home to over 4,000species of plants. About 454 species of orchids can be found inthe region. Sikkim has seen a wide range of famous explorers,some of whom visited the region in the 19th century. One ofthese explorers was Sir Joseph Hooker, who identified a largenumber of Sikkim flora and published his findings in hisHimalayan Journals sometime in the middle of the 19th century.Incidentally, Sir James Hooker also worked with Charles Darwinon the latter's book The Origin of Species, which explained histheory of evolution.

Among the delights the region offers are the Sikkimese primulasand over 30 varieties of rhododendrons. The most majesticamong the famous rhododendrons is the R. grande, a tree thatgrows up to 30-40 ft in height and up to 5 ft in girth.

Sikkimese Primulas Credit: Karamjeet Singh

Sikkim exhibits a large variety in the animal world to matchits floral delights. Birds, species and reptiles are allpresent in Sikkim's animal kingdom. The tremendous variety canbe comprehended from the fact that 50% of the 1,400 butterflyspecies that exist in the Indian Subcontinent are to be foundin Sikkim. The Red Panda is found in the mountain forests atbetween 6,000-12,000 ft above sea level. Among other animalspecies are the elusive Snow Leopard and the rare CloudedLeopard. However, little information is available about thelarger animals of Sikkim.