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

Silver Oak Tree planted by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 I  am sure many of us have seen this Silver Oak tree at  Amdo Golai, near Tadong opposite the traffic point that leads to Indira Bye Pass. More than a decade back there used to be a foundation stone that had words inscribed -  Planted by Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India in 1984 . Today I look at this heritage tree and feel sad it seems to have lost its glory and its history. I am sure in the near future the concerned department will surely look into this matter. 22.11.23 : Even after ten years of this post, the tree is strong and beautiful. I am sure someday this tree will have her moment and will be declared a national heritage. 

The letter Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal wrote to Indira Gandhi when Sikkim Royal Palace was attacked by the Indian Army I believe this piece of the article was more of a documentary as the title suggests "The Story of Sikkim". A part of many stories in opinions24x7 blog. The article gives a simple narration about Sikkim in brief. What I liked the most was the annexation part and as in my part what I see I share. So this interesting piece of the  extract is provided here which did touch my heart, especially the "letter" sent by our Chogyal (King) to Indira Gandhi when Sikkim Royal Palace was attacked by the Indian Army. What actually happened with Priyanka Tiwari, air hostess at Kingfisher Airline in Kolkata ?     High profile case better you don’t speak was told on the phone- Father Sikkim Rock Star keeps promises; send two to Kolkata auditions Sikkim Rock Star, a dance and singing-based musical show keeping up its promises has sent two of its part...

I found these things very fascinating out at Nepal, most of the trees that grow around roadside small mandirs have their roots covering the entire construction. The first look at the natural splendor gave me an image of the famed Angkor Wat. This was a wonderful find for me and I really enjoyed it. It is more than unexpected how mother nature plays with her creation. On most occasions, these trees are banyan or peepal and their long roots resemble more of a serpent hovering over its prey.

Ever since the search for Heritage Trees started in Sikkim, I was very curious to be part of this competition. I still remember when the first preliminary results were published in one of the local dailies of Gangtok, the headline of the report read like “ Can this record be broken ”. More than two months later I seem to have the reply.  The search for the biggest tree of Sikkim was an exciting journey for me and my adventure gave me an opportunity to be in the wilds that I had never gone beyond still being a botany student. I have always believed that the land of Sikkim has many amazing ‘things’ to be discovered. It is debatable about the origin of the landforms of Sikkim. I still remember one of my lecturers at Sikkim Government College laughing at me when I asked him about the possibility of fossils in Sikkim. His answer is Sikkim is a young fold mountain and there is no possibility of any fossils in both plants and animals. But yet I have collected a petrified fossil with...

I simply loved the theme.....a search for the biggest / oldest tree of Sikkim. No doubt this hunt for the Biodiversity Heritage Trees is an opening in understanding the floras of ancient Sikkim.  Sikkim celebrates the centenary of the Sikkim Forest Department and the motive behind this exploration is worth an applause from the Government. It is also said that the person providing the information of such trees shall also be awarded. The result of the preliminary survey has the following statistics: North Sikkim:  9 trees including a Juniper with girth of c 42 ft. South Sikkim:  13 trees including a  pipalay kabra  with girth of 29 ft, height 95 ft. East Sikkim:  10 trees including a “bar” with girth 33 ft, height 150 ft. West Sikkim:  Three famous pine in Dubdi, Yuksom complex with girth 21 ft, height 150 ft. source: Now Newspaper