Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary

A forest fire has continued to rage inside Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim, along the Indo-China border, for the past two days, officials said. The blaze, which broke out on January 20, is burning at an altitude of around 13,000 feet.

Extent of Damage

The fire has already affected nearly 12 hectares of forest land, raising concerns over fragile high-altitude ecosystems and wildlife habitats in the region.

Geographical Significance

The Pangolakha Range, located below the Chola Range, forms a natural boundary between Sikkim and Bhutan.

• Hathichirey—meaning “the place where elephants can penetrate”—marks the tri-junction of Bhutan, Sikkim and West Bengal.
• Further south, the forest continues into Neora Valley National Park in West Bengal, an Important Bird Area (IBA).

Ecological Importance of the Sanctuary

Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its rich altitudinal diversity, featuring:

• Alpine, temperate and subtropical vegetation,
• High-altitude lakes around Jelep La, and
• Forests of Rhododendron, Silver Fir and Juniper.

The sanctuary also contains moss-filled oak forests with dense bamboo thickets, which provide an ideal habitat for the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), the State Animal of Sikkim.