Welcome to Khangchendzonga Landscape-India
A house of highland keystone species-Yak
Webinar on post harvest and value chain management
of large cardamom in Khangchendzonga Landscape
organized at SRC, Gangtok
Inauguration of Biodiversity Monitoring Centre at Sikkim
Regional Centre of GBPNIHESD
by Hon'ble secretary MoEF&CC, Govt of India
Director GBPNIHE with hon'ble MP of Sikkim
Khangchendzonga Landscape - Gorkhey

Silent forest village with Rich Biodiversity
Welcome to the Khangchendzonga Landscape - INDIA

A rich hotspot of biodiversity and culture in the Eastern Himalayas . . .

Learn more
Welcome to the Khangchendzonga Landscape - INDIA

A rich hotspot of biodiversity and culture in the Eastern Himalayas . . .

Learn more

As a tourist, researcher, or visitor to the Kangchenjunga Landscape you will have the opportunity to enjoy incredible biodiversity, natural beauty, and the warm hospitality of your local homestay hosts. Your visit will also have an effect on the local environment, culture, and livelihoods. As a responsible guest of this community it is important to understand some "Dos and Don'ts" for a respectful and enjoyable stay.

The Khangchendzonga Landscape, covering over 25,000 square kilometers in India, Bhutan, and Nepal, is a part of a global biodiversity hotspot. It supports life for over 7.25 million people and ranges in altitude from 40 meters above sea level in the plains of West Bengal to 8586 meters at the summit of Mount Khangchendzonga in Sikkim. Mean temperature varies from 2°C to 19°C in Darjeeling, 7°C to 27 °C in Gangtok and 11°C to 32°C in Jalpaiguri.

The Khangchendzonga landscape represents the biological, social and cultural entity, which is celebrated by the community living in the landscape through equitable access and conservation of natural resources.

Organisation

This website is part of the Khangchendzonga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KLCDI). KLCDI-India is a collaborative effort between GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development (GBPNIHESD),...

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KLCDI-INDIA : PROCESS Multi-stakeholders Involvement (local, national, regional and specific groups / authorities)

Developed Feasibility Assessment Report

Analysis: existing status of KL, India (i.e., bio-physical, socio-cultural, management practices, institutional mechanisms, and policy dimensions)

Assessing threats and identifying priority actions under challenging circumstances through generated baseline information on Ecosystem and Socio-economics

Developed Conservation and Development Strategy (CDS)

Guidelines and specific strategies for conserving, maintaining, and promoting
i) biodiversity;
ii) cultural values,
iii) eco-friendly sustainable and equitable livelihood development options

Implemented Activities in three Pilot Sites as:

Implementation of KLCDI-India activities in four major components as:
i) Livelihood diversification and economic development
ii) Ecosystem Management
iii) Long-Term Environmental & Socio-ecological Monitoring (LTESM)
vi) Regional cooperation among three partner countries (Bhutan, Indian & Nepal)

FAQ's

Here you will find frequently asked questions about visiting the Khangchendzonga Landscape.

As a foreigner do I need a permit to enter Sikkim?

Yes, you need an inner-line permit to enter the state of Sikkim. This permit can be obtained at the permitting office at the border of the state and requires that you bring your passport including your visa, a passport photocopy including your visa, and a passport size photo.

Is it true that the Khangchendzonga landscape is part of a global biodiversity hotspot?

Yes! And you can learn more about the diverse types of flora and fauna in different locations by checking out the pages for each village.

PUBLICATION

KLCDI, India Programme

Guiding Agency
Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt. of India.

Facilitating agency International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal

Lead Agency G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment & Sustainable Development, India

National partners Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Govt. of Sikkim Directorate of Forests, Govt. of West Bengal

Partners

The Mountain Institute (TMI)-India, Gangtok.
Himalayan Nature & Adventure Foundation (HNAF), Siliguri
Mutanchi Lom Aal Shezum (MLAS), Dzongu
Sikkim University, Gangtok
Department of Animal Husbandry, Livestock and Fisheries, Govt. of Sikkim
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Gangtok
Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee (KCC), Yuksam
Diocesan Integrated Society for Holistic Action (DISHA), Kalimpong
Consultant: Mr. Renzino Lepcha (Ecotourism Expert)

Team

Dr. R. S. Rawal
National Coordinator: KLCDI (India)

Dr. Rajesh Joshi
Nodal Person:KLCDI (India)

Dr. Kailash S. Gaira
Investigator:KLCDI (India)

Dr. Aseesh Pandey
Project manager:KLCDI (India)