Title: Preparation of land use maps, vegetation cover and biodiversity status report of Upper Teesta – Khangchendzonga Landscape, Sikkim
KeyWords: Review of Existing Biodiversity in Sikkim, Presence of Biodiversity, Ecoregion wise, KNP
Year of Publication: 2018
ISSN No: NA
Author Name: IORA ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS PRIVATE LIMITED
Details:
INTRODUCTION
Mountains occupy 24% of the global land surface area and are home to 12% of the world’s population. Mountains have an ecological, aesthetic, and socioeconomic significance, not only for those living in the mountain areas but also for people living beyond them (ICIMOD, 2011)1. About 10% of the world’s population depends directly on mountain resources for their livelihoods and wellbeing, and an estimated 40% depends indirectly on mountain resources for water, hydroelectricity, timber, Biodiversity and niche products, mineral resources, flood control, and recreation (Schild 2008)2. As per India’s State of Forest Report 2015, total forest and tree cover in Sikkim is 47.80 % of the total geographical area. About 5841.39 sq. Km. or 82.32% of the total geographical area is under the administrative control of the State Forest Department. The forest area is divided into Reserve forest and Protected forests. The reserved forest area constitutes 93.3% of the total forest area. Sikkim forests are rich in Biodiversity with diverse flora and fauna spread across its length and breadth.
In Sikkim, the forest is one of the richest natural resources and has been the major land use in the State. Around 82.31% of the total geographical area of the State is under the administrative control of the State Forest Department. Management of these biodiverse resources, especially in the North District of Sikkim has remained a key force in shaping human attitude towards sacred conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources. Sacred landscape, forests and groves are patches of vegetation traditionally protected by local communities which form excellent examples of in-situ biodiversity conservation. Considering the vast significance of these resources, IORA has applied geospatial as well as ground based approach for its mapping. Six biodiversity indicators (Spatial, Phytosociological, Economic, Social, Physical and Ecological) have been integrated to stratify the Biological Richness of the landscape. This will finally, identify and quantify indicators for monitoring the ecological health of various land use areas over time.