Sikkim
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INDIA 2012
A REFERENCE ANNUAL
Compiled by
RESEARCH, REFERENCE AND TRAINING DIVISION
PUBLICATIONS DIVISION
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Sikkim
Area : 7,096 sq km
Population : 6,07,688 (20011 Census Provisional)
Capital : Gangtok
Principal Languages : Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali
HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY
The early history of Sikkim starts in the 13th century with the signing of a bloodbrotherhood treaty between the Lepcha Chief Thekong Tek and Tibetan prince Khye- Bumsa at Kabi Lungtsok in North Sikkim. This follows the historical visit of three revered Lamas to Yuksam in 1641 in West Sikkim where they consecrated Phuntsog Namgyal, a sixth generation descendant of Khye-Humsa as the first Chogyal of Sikkim, thus heralding the beginning of the Namgyal dynasty in Sikkim.
With the march of history, events in Sikkim saw the process of democratisation and became an integral part of the Indian Union in 1975. Sikkim, the land blessed by Guru Padmasambhava during his sojourn to Tibet in 8th century, are inhabited by people from different communities and live in total harmony. Sikkim is perhaps the most peaceful State of the Indian Union to promote communal harmony and human relations, a feat which is much expected in a plural society like India.
The world’s third highest mountain, Mt. Khangchendzonga, is regarded as the guardian deity of Sikkim. Sikkim is one of the 18 biodiversity hotspots in the world. More than 5000 species of angiosperms are found in the State, nearly one third of the total species of angiosperm found in the country. There are over 4000 species of flowering plants, 362 species of ferns and allies, over 550 species of orchids, atleast 36 species of Rhododendrons besides many variations and wild natural hybrids, 11 species of Oaks, 30 species of Primulas, 28 Bamboos, over 700 species of Butterflies, probably thrice as many Moths, at least 48 species of freshwater Fish, around 50 epcies of Amphibians, over 80 Reptiles, 600 species of birds, and around 150 species of Mammals in the state.
Rare and globally threatened Snow Leopard, Tibetan Argali Sheep, Red Panda, as well as highest altitude domesticated bovid, the Yak, Black-necked Crane and Fairrieanum Orchid some of the important species found here.
TOURISM
Situated in the eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is one of the most beautiful States of the Indian Union. Sikkim is adorned with snowy mountains, luxuriant forests with exotic flora and fauna, pristine waterfalls, sacred lakes, holy caves, medicinal hotsprings, cascading rivers and gentle streams. It is a destination for all seasons.
AGRICULTURE
The State Government has encouraged agro-based industry in horticulture as well as agriculture keeping in view of the State's immense wealth in Natural Resources. Sikkim is proud to be the largest producer of large cardamom. In view of the changing trends of world eco-system, the Chief Minister has announced a paradigm shift in the agricultural/horticultural policy by endeavoring to become the first organic State of the country. The prime concern are environmental security, ecological susceptibility, product brand leading to better farm returns and inheritance of a highly developed mountain agriculture system, handed down through generations. Horticulture is one of the important sub-sectors that has involved into an engine of rural prosperity in the State. The major exportable items from the State comprises of horticultural produce such as ginger, large cardamom, flowers and Sikkim mandarin.
Thrust has been laid on development of traditional strengths such as large cardamom and orange, Diversification into floriculture, off-season vegetables, apiculture, organic farming and mushrooms has added new dimension to horticulture development initiatives.
The production of fruits has increased from 5250 tonnes to 20080 tonnes recording a growth of 282%. Special programmes on area expansion and rejuvenation of old orange orchards backed up by scientific technology and cost effective inputs have been launched.
For development of off-season vegetables, introduction of hybrid/improved varieties of vegetable seeds in area specific clusters is the strategy. The production of vegetables has increased from 22,130 tonnes to 75,200 tonnes thereby registering 240% growth.
The most remarkable growth is seen in floriculture where a record growth of 200 Ha with production of over 230 lakh numbers of cut flowers and planting materials has been recorded over a period of one and a half decade. The strategy lined up for development of floriculture includes programme implementation in cluster, use of elite planting materials, capacity building and skill development of growers and intensive follow-up.
Protected cultivation is one area that has recorded exponential growth in the State. Farmers are reaping huge profit by growing vegetables and flowers in greenhouses. So far, 10,360 low cost Polyhouses and 850 tubular structures have been constructed.
To mitigate water stress, 100 nos. of large community water tanks have been constructed. Flexible type of Genap tanks have been set up in many areas using imported Israeli and Holland technology. Dug out sunken ponds and roof water harvesting structures have been constructed in different vegetable fields and fruit orchards.
INDUSTRY
Though Sikkim is a tiny Himalayan State, the Government and its people are very conscious about the environment and therefore have paid priority for setting up eco-friendly industries and the thrust areas are Agro-Horticulture and Floriculture based, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, Handloom & Handicrafts; Tourism, Precision Oriented high value low volume products, Hydel Power, Tea, Health, Education etc. After the announcement of North-East Industrial and Investment Policy, 2007, to North-East Region, including Sikkim w.e.f. 1 April 2007, a number of industrial units have been set up especially in pharmaceutical and other activities like packaging etc., besides the existing famous units like, Government Fruit Preservation Factory (G.F.P.F.), Temi Tea Estate and Directorate of Handloom & Handicrafts. The Sikkim Industrial Development & Investment Corporation and NEDFI are providing long term loans to micro and medium industrial activities and other service oriented units.
IRRIGATION AND POWER
The Department of Irrigation and Flood Control has covered 3701.03 hectares of agricultural land till the mid of Eleventh Five Year Plan. The target for Eleventh Five Year Plan was to irrigate 10,000 hectares of agricultural land. Further, 225 schemes were sanctioned during 2010-11 which have potential target to irrigate 8244.12 hectare of agricultural land.
Power Sector is one of the vital Sectors for the State. Its development is important because it will have two fold effects on the economy of the State. With the easy availability of electricity, the socio-economic condition of the people of Sikkim would favorably rise on the one hand while on the other hand revenue from the export of power will help the State to strengthen its revenue base. Thus, the sector has to be speedily developed to cater to the demand within and outside the State.
The total Hydro Power Potential of Sikkim is assessed by Central Water Commission, Government of India is around 8,000 MW, out of which around 2,000 MW is in the Micro, Mini and Small Hydro Category. Remaining 6,000 MW would fall either in the small or mega size hydro scheme.
With the aim of achieving total Installed Capacity of 5,500 MW by the end of 12th Plan, the Energy & Power Department has so far allotted 27 hydroelectric power projects with a total installed capacity of 5,334 MW to various Independent Power Producers including NHPC.
The Projects have been allotted to Private Power Developers on BOOT arrangement i.e. Build, Own, Operate and Transfer Basis for a period of 35 years and at the end of 35th year the projects shall be reverted back to the State free of cost in good operating condition by the developers.
TRANSPORT
Roads : Gangtok is connected by roads with Darjeeling district of West Bengal and also with all the district headquarters within Sikkim. The total road length of the State is 2,933.49 km which includes 873.40 km road maintained by the Border Roads Organisation.
Railways and Aviation: The closest railway stations are Siliguri (113) and New Jalpaiguri (125 km) connecting Kolkata, Delhi and other important cities and Bagdogra airport. Green field airport is being constructed at Pakyong in East Sikkim. There is a regular helicopter service between Gangtok and Bagdogra.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The creation of new Department of Information Technology in the year 2000 was a landmark event at a time when most of the States in the country did not have Department of Information Technology. This showed the State Government's commitment to leverage information technology to benefit the citizens. However, the department has made rapid stride in the sphere of information technology since its creation. The Official website of Sikkim hosted and maintained by the Department of Information Technology, Government of Sikkim is www.sikkim.gov.in.
GOVERNMENT
Governor : Shri Balmiki Prasad Singh
Chief Secretary : Shri N.D. Chingapa
Chief Minister : Shri Pawan Chamling
Jurisdiction of High Court
- Sikkim
AREA, POPULATION AND HEADQUARTERS OF DISTRICTS
S. No. District Area (sq km) Population Headquarters (Prov. as per 2011 Census)
1. East 954 2,81,293 Gangtok
2. North 4,226 43,354 Mangan
3. South 750 1,46,742 Namchi
4. West 1,166 1,36,299 Gyalshing
40 years of statehood
The Times of India May 30 2015
Jigme Pazo
Sikkim at 40: Small state with surprising success
In the 40 years since Sik kim became India's 22nd state, the erstwhile Himalayan kingdom has been flying under the radar in accomplishing the near-impossible.Its impressive record in literacy, poverty alleviation, sanitation and organic farming makes it nearly unparalleled not just in the region but in, perhaps, all of Asia. With a population of just 6,10,000 Sikkim, the least populated state in India, has its per capita GDP growing in double digits since 200405 -similar-sized northeastern states barely registering 5% growth.
Sikkim slashed its poverty ratio by 22% to 51,000 (8.2%) in 2011-12 from 1.7 lakh (30.9%) in 2004-05. In 1994, it stood at 41%. The reduction catapulted Sikkim into the nation's top five states in battling poverty. Only Goa (5.1%), Kerala (7.1%) and Himachal (8.1%) fared better.
Sikkim's literacy rate shot to 82.2% from 68.8% in 2001, among the country's highest. Male literacy 86.6%, female literacy 66.4%. Its rural literacy rate of 79.8% surpassed the national rate of 68.9%. The state aims to make Sikkim India's second 100% literate state.
Sikkim's evolution into a fully organic state since embracing the mission in 2003 received a fillip from PM Narendra Modi earlier this year. Speaking at a reception by Indian expats in Germany, Modi waxed eloquent on huge advances made by Sikkim in organic farming. Of the state's 60,000 ha farmland, 40% is organic.
The UN hailed Sikkim for its Human Development Report indices as a global best-practice in February 2014. Terming its achievements as `incredible', UN's India representative Lise Grande said there was no other government under similar conditions that had achieved such success, acknowledging the tiny state's 15% growth in less than a decade as among the highest for all Indian states and one of Asia's highest.
Sikkim was also declared to be the first state to achieve 100% sanitation coverage becoming completely free of public defecation on December 8, 2008, in a country where large parts of the population still defecate in the open.
Sikkim: The Scheduled Tribes Census Of India 2001
Population: Size & Distribution
2. The Bhutia shares 63.1 per cent of the total ST population of the state. The highest concentration of Bhutia has been reported from East The population of Sikkim in 2001 Census has been 540,851. Of these 111,405 are Scheduled Tribes (STs), which constitute 20.6 per cent of the total state’s population. The state has registered 22.6 per cent decadal growth of ST population in 1991-2001. The Bhutia and Lepcha are the two notifi ed STs in the state. (48.3%) district, while the Lepcha are confined in North (33.4%). The Bhutia has recorded 10.9 per cent urban population and Lepcha 4.5 per c ent. Thus, the tribal population is typically concentrated in the rural areas.
Sex Ratio
3. As per 2001 Census, the sex ratio of the ST po pulation is 957, which is quite low in comparison with the aggregated national average for STs (978). The child sex ratio (0-6 age group) of 964 is also lower than the national average of 9 73 for all STs. The sex ratio of total population among Bhutia (966) is higher than Lepcha (945). But, child sex ratio among Bhutia is slightly lower (954) than that of Lepcha (979).
Literacy & Educational Level
4. 67.1 per cent of the ST population is literate with male literacy rate of 73.8 per cent and female of 60.2 per cent. The Bhutia with 67.9 per c ent literacy rate are slightly ahead of Lepcha (65.7%).
5. Three fourth of the ST population (76%) in the age group 5-14 years is attending any of the educational institutions. The Bhutia are marginally ahead in this regard (78.2%) than Lepcha (72.8 %).
6. Of the total literates, 4.4 per cent of the ST population has been recorded having educational level graduate and above. The Bhutia is the better off group with 5.5 per cent than Lepcha (2.4%).
Work Participation Rate (WPR)
7. In 2001 Census, 48.6 per cent of the ST popula tion has been recorded as workers. Of which 77.6 per cent are main workers and 22.4 per cent ma rginal workers. The female WPR of 42.3 per cent is slightly lower than that of male (54.6%). W hile 85.2 per cent have been registered as main workers among males, this proportion is 67.5 per ce nt in case of female main workers.
8. Slightly higher WPR (49.8%) has been recorded among Lepcha as compare to Bhutia (47.9%). Three fourth of total workers are main wor kers among both the STs.
Category of Workers
9. Of the total ST main workers, 54.2 per cent ar e cultivators, 3.8 per cent agricultural labourers, and another 3.5 per cent are engaged in farming related activities (e.g. plantation, livestock, forestry, etc.). The Lepcha are predomin antly cultivators. Of the total main workers, 69 per cent population among Lepcha is cultivator, against 45.8 per cent among Bhutia.
Marital Status
10. The distribution of ST population by marital status shows that 58.5 per cent is ‘never married’, 37.4 per cent ‘currently married’, 3.4 pe r cent ‘widowed’, and 0.8 per cent ‘divorced/ separated’.
11. Merely 1.7 per cent of the female population below 18 years - the minimum legal age for marriage – has been reported as ever married. It is 1.8 per cent among Bhutia and 1.6 per cent among Lepcha. Ever married male below 21 years, whi ch is their minimum legal age for marriage, constitutes only 1.6 per cent. Thus the incidences of child marriage are not common among the tribes of Sikkim.
Religion
12. Of the total of 70,308 ST population, 88.6 pe r cent are Buddhists, 6.6 per cent Hindus, and 4.4 per cent Christians.
