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

Singtam, February 17 : Arpan Pradhan, amateur biodiversity photographer from Shantinagar, Singtam rescued an Indian Cormorant from the fishing net thrown at the Rani Khola near Badminton Court, Shantinagar. He was returning home from the market; at the river Rani Khola, he saw two Indian Cormorants locally called Pani Haas taking a dip in the water. . Indian Cormorant is a winter bird that visits River Teesta at Singtam every year for fresh fish.  He took his mobile camera and started to film the interesting water moment of the birds, he found that one of the birds flew off as soon as he got close to them from the walkway. The other bird was floating on the water sometimes getting inside the water. Arpan Pradhan thought it to be the bird’s play until he found that the poor bird was trapped in a thrown-away fishing net. Since the bird was on the opposite side of the river, he saw a man walking on that side. He asked him to help the bird. The man reached the bird but was unable ...

  SINGTAM, MARCH 20:     For the second successive year, Sakyong Chisopani JHS observed the World Sparrow Day at its school today. In a small function held in a class room, a photo exhibition of birds clicked by Shital Pradhan, teacher, Sakyong Chisopani JHS around the Chisopani locality was also organised. Teachers and students of the school were present on the occasion. A short workshop about the conservation of birds was also held. Shital Pradhan and Monu Hang Khewa, GT (Bio) was the resource person of the day. Monu Hang Khewa in his word told the students that the whole world is in caring sparrows and we too should come together for the support. It might not be too late that we might see these beautiful creatures in photographs in coming days. This does not mean we have to protect sparrows only, for us every bird whether big or small is special and we need to provide them an equal chance to survive, added Khewa. Shital Pradhan, Primary Teacher of the school, ...

Gnathang at the height of 13000 ft is a beautiful place compared to Ladhak in north India. I have been to this place few times and each time the charm of this silent valley attracts me. Be it the famed British cemetery or the Baba Dham nearby, this place do have visitors all the year. My last visit to Ganathang that was on 14.09.2014 had something new to add to my readers. I came upon a white capped redstart. Basically, I had been much familiar with this bird species at Shantinagar, Singtam, my home that I find every time I visit the nearby river. The elevation of my place is around 1400 ft and it did amaze me to find one at the height of 13000 ft. Later I get to know that that this bird was in a breed phase. It was normal for this bird to reach for higher altitudes for breeding. Only one bird was found at an undergoing construction house, moving around. White capped redstart is popular river water bird and can be prominently distinguished with its white pattern on its head...

SINGTAM, MARCH 21:   The students and teachers observed World Sparrow Day at its school building on March 20. The day marked with an awareness workshop followed by competitions on activities related to preservation and conservation of birds. Santosh Sharma (pursuing PhD on Avian diversity of Sikkim, Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar) and Krishna Prasad Dahal, (pursuing M.Sc on Forestry, NERIST, Arunachal Pradesh) were the speakers of the day. Mahesh Dahal, Headmaster, Chisopani JHS and his staff were present on the occasion. More than hundred students attended the programme. The best part of the day was when a few students submitted their catapults to the school and vowed not to shoot the birds in the near future. Altogether 8 catapults were received by the school. Competitions were held for the students that included nest making, treehouse making, placards, and short speeches on the importance of birds. More than 40 students had participated on the competitions. Following wer...

Despite being a botany student in recent times my interest in birds and butterflies of Sikkim is developing and I am sure there are people around who despite little knowledge like me do follow them.  Ornithology as it is generally termed means a study of birds and the person studying ornithology is called an ornithologist.  I found a checklist of birds of Sikkim compiled by Sumit K Jain (2008) while surfing the internet which I would like to share with my readers. Hope my readers love to know them. BIRDS OF SIKKIM  Lerwa lerwa Snow Partridge Tetraogallus tibetanus Tibetan Snowcock Perdix hodgsoniae Tibetan Partridge Coturnix coturnix Common Quail Turnix sylvatica Small Buttonquail Turnix tanki Yellow-legged Buttonquail Turnix suscitator Barred Buttonquail Arborophila torqueola Hill Partridge Arborophila rufogularis Rufous-throated Partridge Arborophila mandellii Chestnut-breasted Partridge Ithaginis cruentus (Blood Pheasant) Tragopan s...