ABOUT PANGOLAKHA

Located in the East Sikkim district of Sikkim, the altitudinal range of the sanctuary varies from 1760 metres to 4390 metres. The sanctuary was declared in 2002. It is connected to the forests of Bhutan and Neora Valley National Park of West Bengal. The sanctuary comprises few hamlets like Lingtam, Phadamchen, Zuluk, Gnathang valley and Kupup

The high altitude lakes present in the sanctuary are a hotspot for migratory birds. Rivers are frozen from December to March (winter season) but flow with full volume frommid April to mid-October).

The sanctuary has typical alpine-temperate subtropical vegetation. It is covered with forests of Rhododendron, Silver Fir, Juniper, Oak and dense Bamboo thickets. Lying at the junction of Palearctic ecozone and Indomalaya ecozone, it supports rich fauna. Mammals found here include red panda, Asiatic black bear, yellow-throated marten, takin and red fox ,Himalayan striped squirrel and hoary bellied squirrel. The high altitude areas like Jalepa make it a favourite ground for birds like Blood pheasant, red-tailed minla, blood pheasant, white-browed shrike babbler, Oriental honey buzzard, brown dipper, rusty-flanked tree creeper, and speckled wood pigeon.

WHEN TO GO ?

The best time to visit the sanctuary is from April to May when the nature is at its best.