http://www.sikkimreporter.com/archive/23%20Feb/index.html Sikkim SHIVADEEP RAI Gangtok: “Sikkim is a biodiversity hotspot hosting over 26 percent of the nation’s biodiversity. Within a distance of 114 km, we find all five climate zones, from Tropical to Alpine, where diverse shades of flora and fauna coexist amid quiet splendor and brilliance radiated by nature. We have taken extra care to conserve our environment and ecology while undertaking development works”. This was said by Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling in his address after inaugurating Sikkim Science Centre at Marchak, Ranipool, Gangtok, on February 22. He said, “Over the decades, we initiated many innovative environmental conservation measures, including the ban of the use of non-biodegradable materials like plastic and poly bags in the State, ban on the felling of green trees, ban on grazing, the institution of Smriti Ban ...