“Biotic Sikkim”

Efforts By:
1.Inder Kaur(116/2011)
2.Inu Khunger(128/2010)
3.Priyal Kandpal(287/2019)
Name of School: NEO Convent Sr. Sec. School
Class and Sec: IX B
Session:2020-21
Subject: Science
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR SPECIAL THANKS TO
OUR TEACHER MRS Nidhi Yadav Ma’am ,WHO GAVE
US THIS GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS
WONDERFUL PROJECT ON THE TOPIC "SIKKIM"
WHICH ALSO HELPED US IN DOING A LOT OF
RESEARCH AND WE REALLY THANKFUL TO THEM.
IT GIVES US IMMENSE PLEASURE TO THANK CBSE
FOR INTRODUCING SUCH PRACTICAL PROJECTS
THAT LET STUDENTS LEARN FROM MORE THAN
JUST BOOKS.
 INTRODUCTION
Sikkim is former Buddhist kingdom growing by the mountains shadow. The British during their days
in the Indian sub continent had a peaceful understanding with the Sikkimese people. After the British
left in 1947, Sikkim was an Indian protectorate until its incorporation into India as a state in 1975.

The Tibetan name for Sikkim is Drenjong which means "valley of rice", while the Bhutias call it
Bayul Demazong, which means '"the hidden valley of rice“

The Buddhist guru Padmasambhava visited Sikkim in the 8th century AD, introduced Buddhism and
foretold the era of the Sikkimese monarchy. Sikkim's Namgyal dynasty was established in 1642. Over
the next 150 years, the kingdom witnessed frequent raids and territorial losses to Nepalese invaders.
In the 19th century, it allied itself with British India, eventually becoming a British protectorate.

Sikkim is a beautiful land of manifold tribes and races of people living together.
 Introduction to Flora and Fauna
The ecosystem is a complex, interconnected network comprising biotic and abiotic elements. Biotic
elements include all living organisms such as plants, animals and microorganisms. Abiotic
components, on the other hand, include non-living entities that are vital for the survival of life and
these include soil, water, climate, etc. Among all biotic elements, Flora and Fauna are the most
fascinating ones.
 Flora Meaning
The term flora in Latin means “Goddess of the Flower.” Flora is a collective term for a group of plant
life found in a particular region. The whole plant kingdom is represented by this name.
Flora is classified and differentiated based on many factors. The best one among them is the area in
which they grow or are found. Some grow in desert regions or in water, some are found in hilly areas
while some are endemic to a specific geographic location.
According to the place at which they grow, they have adaptations also. For example, Cactus plants
are naturally seen in deserts. They have adaptations like modified leaves or prickles to preserve water
and protect themselves from predators.
The agricultural flora consists of plants cultivated by men for their use. Horticulture is the practice of
growing ornamental and decorative flowers, which are also known as garden flora .
 Fauna Meaning
Animal kingdom comprises a variety of animal life forms. Hence, the classification of fauna is much more
complex than the floral division. Therefore, for ease of classification;
● Birds are categorized under the name Avifauna.
● Fishes under Pisci Fauna.
● Microorganisms including bacteria and virus are generally considered under animal kingdom, they are
known as Microfauna.
● All unknown and undiscovered animals are named as cryptofauna.

Since time immemorial, there have been accounts of animals that have been thought to exist but have eluded the
scientific community, thereby classifying them as cryptofauna or cryptids.
Most of these reports are just tall tales but until recently, a few have documented through actual physical evidence
and scientific scrutiny. One such example is the colossal squid. This cryptid has been allegedly been sighted since
the 17th and 18th century, often being cited in the diaries and logbooks of sailors.
 Flora and Fauna of Sikkim
Sikkim is home to around 5,000 species of flowering plants, 515 rare orchids, 60 primula species, 36
rhododendron species, 11 oak varieties, 23 bamboo varieties, 16 conifer species, 362 types of ferns
and ferns allies, 8 tree ferns, and over 900 medicinal plants.A relative of the Poinsettia, locally known
as "Christmas Flower", can be found in abundance in the mountainous state. The Noble Dendrobium
is the official flower of Sikkim, while the rhododendron is the state tree.

The fauna of Sikkim include the snow leopard,musk deer, Himalayan tahr, red panda,
Himalayan marmot, Himalayan serow, Himalayan goral, muntjac, common langur, Asian black bear,
clouded leopard, marbled cat, leopard cat,] dhole, Tibetan wolf, hog badger, binturong, and
Himalayan jungle cat. Among the animals more commonly found in the alpine zone are yaks, mainly
reared for their milk, meat, and as a beast of burden.
FLORA FAUNA
FAMOUS FLOWERS IN SIKKIM

1. Striking Dendrobium Nobile

2. Cymbidium
3. Gentiana
 1. Striking Dendrobium Nobile
The striking Dendrobium nobile is the state flower of
Sikkim, and has the distinctive long thin jointed stems
(referred to as canes) of many members of the genus
Dendrobium. The flowers of Dendrobium nobile are pale
to deep purple-pink with a characteristic dark velvety
centre. These orchids, like the majority of Sikkim’s
orchids, grow as epiphytes, on the trunks or on the
branches of host trees. Growing like this, with their roots
exposed, epiphytic orchids have to endure some
extremes in conditions – when it rains, they get drenched
and must take up the water they need, but in between
they are completely exposed and must be able to tolerate
long dry periods too.
 2. Cymbidium
Cymbidium commonly known as boat orchids, is a genus of evergreen
flowering plants in the orchid family Orchidaceae. Orchids in this genus
are epiphytic, lithophytic, terrestrial or rarely leafless saprophytic herbs
usually with pseudobulbs. There are usually between three and twelve
leaves arranged in two ranks on each pseudobulb or shoot and lasting for
several years. From one to a large number of flowers are arranged on an
unbranched flowering stem arising from the base of the pseudobulb. The
sepals and petals are all free from and similar to each other. The labellum
is significantly different from the other petals and the sepals and has three
lobes. There are about fifty-five species and sixteen further natural
hybrids occurring in the wild from tropical and subtropical Asia to
Australia. Cymbidiums are well known in horticulture and many cultivars
have been developed.
 3. Gentiana
Gentian is an herb. The root of the plant and, less commonly, the
bark are used to make medicine. Gentian is used for digestion
problems such as loss of appetite, bloating, diarrhea, and heartburn.
It is also used for fever and to prevent muscle spasms. Gentian is
applied to the skin for treating wounds and cancer. Gentian is used
in combination with European elderflower, verbena, cowslip flower,
and sorrel for treating symptoms of sinus infections (sinusitis). In
foods and beverages, gentian is used as an ingredient. In
manufacturing, gentian is used in cosmetics.Gentian root is not
related to the gentian violet dye (methylrosaniline chloride).If you
plan to make your own gentian preparation, be sure you identify
gentian correctly. The highly toxic white hellebore (Veratrum
album) can be misidentified as gentian and has caused accidental
poisoning when used in homemade preparations.
 FAMOUS ANIMALS IN SIKKIM
1. Snow Leopard
2. Musk Deer
3. Red Panda
 1. SNOW LEOPARD
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), also known as the ounce,
is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and
South Asia. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List
because the global population is estimated to number less
than 10,000 mature individuals and is expected to decline
about 10% by 2040. It is threatened by poaching and habitat
destruction following infrastructural developments.It inhabits
alpine and subalpine zones at elevations from 3,000 to 4,500
m (9,800 to 14,800 ft), ranging from eastern Afghanistan, the
Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau, to southern Siberia,
Mongolia, and western China. In the countries in the
northern part of its range, it also lives at lower elevations.
 2. MUSK DEER
Himalayan musk deer occurs in parts of northern Afghanistan, Pakistan,
Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and in northern India such as in Jammu and Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. It inhabits
high alpine environments above altitudes of 2,500 m (8,200 ft).White-bellied
musk deer are very well adapted for high altitudes; they demonstrate such
adaptations as well-developed dew claws, broad toes that provide increased
stability on steep slopes, and a dense coat of coarse hairs with air-filled cells
to insulate against the extreme temperature. While they lack antlers, a trait
notable among all musk deer, they do possess a pair of enlarged and easily
broken canines that grow continuously. The maximum length of these tusks
is about 10 cm (4 in). These deer have a stocky body type; their hind legs are
also significantly longer and more muscular than their shorter, thinner
forelimbs. In place of running or leaping, this species tends to "bound."
Finally, fawns of this species have white spots to help with camouflage, but
as they mature these spots disappear.
 3. RED PANDA
The red panda has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy
tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs; it
is roughly the size of a domestic cat, though with a
longer body. It is arboreal and feeds mainly on
bamboo, but also eats eggs, birds, and insects. It is a
solitary animal, mainly active from dusk to dawn, and
is largely sedentary during the day. It is also called the
lesser panda, the red bear-cat, and the red cat-bear.In
India, it is found in Sikkim, western Arunachal Pradesh,
Darjeeling district of West Bengal and parts of
Meghalaya. It is also the state animal of Sikkim.
 SOIL OF SIKKIM
Sikkim enjoys a wide range of climate, mapped, physiographic, geology and vegetation that
influence the formation of different kinds of soils. These soils have been mapped described,
analyzed, characterized and classified under 5 broad physiographic units. Soils occurring in
different landforms are studied in respect of their morphology, physical and chemical
characteristics. In accordance with the physiographic sequence of the terrain features, 78 soil
families were identified in Sikkim State and mapped into 69 mapping units. It revealed that soils
of Sikkim belong to 3 orders, 7 suborders, 12 great groups and 26 subgroups. It is observed that
Inceptisols are dominant (42.84%) followed by Entisols and Mollisols occupying 42.52% and
14.64% respectively.Sikkim has been divided into five broad physiographic units. The relationship
between these physiographic units and their soils are established and discussed under the
following heads.
The hills of Sikkim mainly consist of gneiss and schist which
weather to produce generally poor and shallow brown clay soils.
 SOILS OF SUMMITS AND RIDGES
❖ Ridges with 30% Slope: Soils developed in these areas are deep, somewhat excessively
drained, fine-loamy with loamy surface, have slight stoniness and moderate erosion.
These soils are classified as Typic Haplumbrepts and Pachic Haplumbrepts
❖ Ridges with 15-30% Slope: Soils are deep, well to somewhat excessively drained,
coarse-loamy to fine with loamy surface, having slight stoniness and slight to moderate
erosion. They are classified as Typic Hapludolls and Umbric Dystrochrepts. Soil are
moderately acidic in nature and rich in humus content and have medium base saturation
❖ Ridges with <15% slope : Soils are deep, well drained, fine-loamy soils with loamy
surface, having slight stoniness and moderate erosion. They show a slight degree of
profile development and are classified as Cumulic Haplumbre and Pachic Haplumbrepts
 SOILS OF SIDE SLOPES OF HILLS
➢ Thermic soil temperature regime: These soils are moderately deep to deep, developed on
very steeply sloping hillside. They are somewhat excessively drained, coarse-loamy to fine-
loamy soils with slight surface stoniness and moderate erosion. They are classified as Typic
Hapludolls, Typic Dystrochrepts and Entic Hapludolls.
➢ Mesic soil temperature regime: These soils are moderately shallow to moderately deep,
developed on very steeply sloping side hill slopes. They are somewhat excessively drained,
loamy-skeletal to coarse- loamy soils with moderate surface stoniness and moderate erosion.
Dominant soils are Typic Haplumbrepts and Fluventic Hapludolls.
➢ Escarpments: These soils have developed under Thermic soil temperature regime and udic
soil moisture regime. They are moderately deep, excessively drained, loamy-skeletal soils
with slight surface stoniness and moderate to strong erosion. Dominant soils are classified as
Typic Udorthents and Umbric Dystrochrepts.
➢ Steeply sloping hilt sides (30-50%): Soils under steeply sloping hill side experience a wide
variation of temperature and rainfall. Two soil moisture regimes viz. udic and periodic prevail
in these areas.
➢ Thennic soil temperature regime: These soils are moderately shallow to deep, developed on
steeply sloping hillside. They are well drained to somewhat excessively drained, fine-silty to
fine-loamy soils with slight to moderate surface stoniness and moderate erosion.
➢ Mesic soil temperature regime: These soils are shallow to moderately shallow, somewhat
excessively drained, coarse- loamy with gravelly-loamy surface and severe erosion. They are
moderate to strongly acidic and rich in humus. They are Typical Hap and Lithic Udorthents.
They show a lack of profile development.
➢ Iso Frigid soil temperature regime: These soils are shallow, somewhat excessively drained,
loamy skeletal with gravelly loamy surface, moderate surface stoniness and moderate
erosion. They are classified as Lithic Cryorthents and Lithic Cryumbrepts.
 SOILS OF VALLEYS
➔ Thermic soil temperature regime: These soils are moderately deep to deep, developed on
moderately sloping to moderately steep slopes on Tista bank. They are somewhat excessively
drained, loamy-skeletal soils with slight surface stoniness and moderate erosion. These soils
are classified as Cumulic Hapludolls, Typic Haplumbrepts. They are acidic and rich in
humus. They occur in association with moderately shallow, somewhat excessively drained,
coarse-loamy soils which are classified as Typic Udorthents.
➔ Mesic soil temperature regime: These soils are moderately deep, developed on
moderately steep slopes on the banks of river Tista and its tributaries in North district. They
are somewhat excessively drained coarse-loamy soils with slight stoniness and moderate
erosion. They are Typic Haplusterts. They are associated with moderately shallow, somewhat
excessively drained, loamy skeletal Typic Udorthents.
 ENVIRONMENT OF SIKKIM
Sikkim is bestowed with majestic mountains, beautiful hills
and valleys, crystal clear water falls, springs and lakes, rivers
and streams, steep and undulating terrains, snow clad
mountains, low lying land ranging from altitude of 310 m
(Jorethang) to 8586m (Mount Khangchendzonga) from MSL.
Forest land is interspersed with varied forms of flora and
fauna. State lies in the Eastern Himalayas which is a
biodiversity hotspot. Forests in Sikkim harbor host of endemic
flora, rare and endangered species of plants and animals, high
value medicinal plants etc. Sikkim is a botanist’s paradise.
There are mainly five forest types in Sikkim namely Sub
Tropical, Moist Mixed Deciduous, Wet Temperate, Conifer
and Subalpine forest.
Within an area of 7096 sq km, the state has 30.77% of forest as
protected area comprising of seven wildlife sanctuaries and
one national park which is highest in the country.
Khangchendzonga National Park, the only National Park in the
state is also the UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in July
2016.The forest cover of the State has increased by 4%
approximately over the last 20 years. Rural water sources have
got rejuvenated, wildlife populations have gone up, forest gaps
have been filled and soil erosion has been to checked larger
extent. Water bodies have increased by 2 km² due to protection
of forest with strict enforcement of relevant Forest Laws and
Rules in the State. Many afforestation activities under different
programmes and schemes to rejuvenate the degraded forest
lands, implementation of Non – forest and Private Land Tree
Felling Rules have been taken up.
 ENERGY OF SIKKIM
With the opening of this sector for
private developers , sikkim can
look forward for developing and
exploiting its huge hydro power
potential which has been assessed
to 8000 MW. at present the total
Installed capacity of the state is
95.70 MW