Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

RONGLI, MAY 28: : In one of a rare initiative of the state, an awareness plantation of fruits and vegetables saplings in the reserve forest of Baklakha was organized by the Scouts & Guides Unit and Generous Students of Dalapchand SS on May 25. The awareness plantation was held in presence of Scout Master, School teachers, S.M.C, Panchyat (GPU, Dalapchand), members of local NGOs and guardians. The press release reads, the idea was taken keeping in view the ongoing clash between wild animals and local people. The main objective was to provide sufficient food for animals in the forest such that they don’t have to invade the human’s habitation. Around 70 students that included Scouts & Guides Unit and Generous Students of Dalapchand SS from class vi to x had participated in the awareness program. The program started at 10 am with brief highlight by SD Bhutia, GT (Bio) and Scout Master of Dalapchand SS about the day long program. Mani Kr.Rai. Panchayat Secretary (GPU, D...

In my little knowledge, there are two instances that a tortoise was ever recorded in Sikkim, on both occasions the tortoise was reported to be Indotestudo elongata .     * The first recorded instance was during the last week of July 2008 a little yellow tortoise was found by two labours working at the site of a Rock Garden construction, at the base of nearby Tarey Bhir (South Sikkim) on the bank of a seasonal rivulet called Khanni Khola. that was later identified by Usha Lachungpa Sr. Research Officer (WL), she identified it as a male Sal Forest Tortoise Indotestudo elongata (Blyth) of the Family Testudinidae. * The second finding was from Chalamthang near Rhenock (East Sikkim) on June 27, 2011 . The yellowish color tortoise weighed around 3.5 to 4 Kg. It was later taken to Kitam Bird Sanctuary. It was rescued by Mani Kumar Pradhan, resident of Chalamthang. The department confirmed the species as Indotestudo elongata , an endangered species. This cold-bloo...

GANGTOK, August 01: A Wildlife Cinematographer from Sikkim has won the “Best Cinematography Award” in the historical Tara Devi Peace Award 2008 in a function held recently at the International Conference Hall, Nayabaneshwar, Nepal. Siddhartha Rana bagged the award for his documentary film “the Royal Chitwan” from among 27 documentary films from SAARC, Asian countries. The award was presented by Girja Prasad Koirala, Prime Minster of Nepal and National Wildlife Film Festival Board, Nepal-2008. Themed protection of wildlife, the Royal Chitwan-Part XI crew includes Prakash Shrestha from Nepal Channel (Photography), Siddhartha Rana from Sikkim, Cinematographer and Research Officers from Kenya Wildlife Services. Winner of a number of national and internal awards, Mr. R...