Mangan district

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Mangan district
Sunset om Kangchengyao in North Sikkim.jpg
Kangchenjunga in Mangan district, Sikkim
Mangan district
Mangan district
Location in Sikkim
Coordinates: 27°31′N88°32′E / 27.517°N 88.533°E / 27.517; 88.533
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
State Flag of the Government of Sikkim.svg Sikkim
Headquarters Mangan
Government
  District Collector (DC)Mr. A B Karki [1]
Area
  Total4,226 km2 (1,632 sq mi)
Elevation
610 m (2,000 ft)
Population
 (2011)
  Total43,709
  Density10/km2 (27/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+05:30 (IST)
ISO 3166 code IN-SK
Vehicle registration SK-03
Website mangan.nic.in

North Sikkim (now officially named as Mangan District) [2] is a district of the Indian state of Sikkim. Its district headquarters is Mangan. It is the seventh least populous district in the country (out of 640). [3]

Contents

Geography

Wildflowers of North Sikkim Flowers and nature of North Sikkim India.jpg
Wildflowers of North Sikkim
Flowering trees along stream valleys A bridge wildflowers nature Himalayas Yumthang Valley Sikkim India.jpg
Flowering trees along stream valleys

The district is the largest of the four districts of Sikkim.

The landscape is mountainous with dense vegetation all the way up to the alpine altitude before thinning out to desert scrub towards the northern tundra. Numerous waterfalls astride the main road make the trip to this district extremely picturesque.

The most prominent effect of the steepness of the valleys is the prevalence of landslides that at times drop to anything between 3000 and 5,000 ft (1,500 m) carrying devastation along their course. Most of them are caused either by the melting snow beds on top of the mountains or by erosive action of the rains.

Most of the people of the state reside near Mangan, the district headquarters which is about 2,000 feet (610 m) above sea level. Further north the elevation increases with the vegetation turning from temperate to alpine to tundra. Temperatures range from about 25° to below −40° in the extreme high reaches where the altitude is in excess of 6,000 metres. Kanchenjanga is the highest peak at over 8,000 m, straddling its western border with Nepal and can be seen clearly from the town of Singhik. [4]

Assembly Constituencies

Since 2002, the district is divided into 3 assembly constituencies.

  1. Kabi Lungchok (BL)
  2. Djongu (BL)
  3. Lachen-Mangan(BL)

Economy

Mangan is known as the Large Cardamom Capital of the world. The climate and terrain best suit the cultivation of the larger variety of Cardamom here.

The region has many power projects and enjoys almost uninterrupted electricity. The steep gradient and the innumerable lakes on the higher reaches facilitate ideal conditions for generation of hydro electric power.

In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named North Sikkim one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640). [5] It is the only district in Sikkim currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF). [5]

Tourism

Most of North Sikkim is restricted to travellers and permits are needed to visit these areas. The area, which shares a sensitive border with the People's Republic of China is heavily patrolled by the Indian army. However, in view of exquisite scenic beauty, a large number of tourists have started visiting the region overcoming all sorts of hardship. Often unregulated tourism becomes a major conservation issue in fragile ecosystem such as high mountains. [6]

Divisions

Administrative divisions

Crows Lake in North Sikkim.jpg
Crows Lake
Yumthangnorth.jpg
Yumthang Valley
Gumpa.jpg
Gumpa dance at Lachung monastery
View from Zero Point, North Sikkim.jpg
View from Zero Point, North Sikkim
Zero Point Sikkim - North Sikkim.jpg
Zero Point Sikkim – After Earthquake, November 2011
Yuemsamdong, Zero point.jpg
Yumesamdong, Zero Point, North Sikkim

Scenes from the district

North Sikkim is divided into two sub-divisions: [7]

A clickable map of North Sikkim exhibiting its two subdivisions. North Sikkim Subdivisions All.png
A clickable map of North Sikkim exhibiting its two subdivisions.
NameHeadquartersNumber of villages [8] Location
Chungthang Chungthang 9
North Sikkim Subdivisions Chungthang.png
Mangan Mangan 46
North Sikkim Subdivisions Mangan.png

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Mangan district has a population of 43,709, [3] roughly equal to the nation of Liechtenstein. [9] This gives it a ranking of 634th in India (out of a total of 640). [3] The district has a population density of 10 inhabitants per square kilometre (26/sq mi). [3] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 5.66%. [3] North Sikkim has a sex ratio of 769 females for every 1000 males, [3] and a literacy rate of 77.39%. 10.62% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 2.25% and 65.70% of the population respectively. [3]

The people are mainly of Lepcha and Bhutia descent. Other groups include the Tibetan community. It also has one of the lowest populated regions of the state.

Religion

Religion in Mangan district (2011) [10]
Buddhism
53.35%
Hinduism
34.05%
Christianity
6.09%
Kirat Mundhum
2.11%
Sikhism
1.87%
Islam
1.86%
Other or not stated
0.67%

Buddhism is followed by majority of the people in Mangan district. Hinduism followed by a considerable population. [11]

Languages

Languages of Mangan (2011)

   Lepcha (31.71%)
   Nepali (23.24%)
   Sikkimese (14.41%)
   Limbu (8.51%)
   Hindi (6.40%)
   Sherpa (3.63%)
   Tamang (2.56%)
   Punjabi (1.75%)
   Bhojpuri (1.62%)
   Rai (1.22%)
   Bengali (1.08%)
  Others (3.87%)

At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 31.71% of the population in the district spoke Lepcha, 23.24% Nepali, 14.41% Sikkimese, 8.51% Limbu, 6.40% Hindi, 3.63% Sherpa, 2.56% Tamang, 1.75% Punjabi, 1.62% Bhojpuri, 1.22% Rai and 1.08% Bengali as their first language. [12]

Transport

Roads are in a poor condition owing to the frequent landslides.

Flora and fauna

North Sikkim is home to the red panda (Ailurus fulgens), a vulnerable species. [13] This animal is the pride of Sikkim and is also the State Animal. It is generally found between heights of 2000 m to 4000 m. It is as big as a domestic Siamese cat (approximately 2 ft long), has a triangular shaped face with a stripe on its cheek, with red fur and black eyes. It has a sprinkling of white on its back and chest. The tail is bushy, black or brown in colour and long like that of a skunk. They generally live on treetops.

In 1977 North Sikkim district became home to Khangchendzonga National Park, which has an area of 1,784 km2 (688.8 sq mi). [14] It shares the park with West Sikkim district. It is also home to the Shingba (rhododendron) Wildlife Sanctuary, which was established in 1984 and has an area of 43 km2 (16.6 sq mi). [14]

Important Towns and Cities

Banking Facilities

The following Banks provide banking facilities in North Sikkim, district of Sikkim:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teesta River</span> River that flows from the eastern Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal

Teesta River is a 414 km (257 mi) long river that rises in the Pauhunri Mountain of eastern Himalayas, flows through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal and subsequently enters Bangladesh through Rangpur division. In Bangladesh, it merges with Brahmaputra River which after meeting some other major rivers of the Bengal delta finally falls into the Bay of Bengal. It drains an area of 12,540 km2 (4,840 sq mi). In India, the Teesta flows through Mangan District, Gangtok District, Pakyong District, Kalimpong district, Darjeeling District, Jalpaiguri District, Cooch Behar districts and the cities of Rangpo, Jalpaiguri and Mekhliganj. In Bangladesh, it flows through Lalmonirhat District, Rangpur District, Kurigram District and Gaibandha District. It joins the Brahmaputra River at Phulchhari Upazila in Bangladesh. 305 km (190 mi) of the river lies in India and 109 km (68 mi) in Bangladesh. The Teesta is the largest river of Sikkim and second largest river of West Bengal after the Ganges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gangtok district</span> District in Sikkim, India

Gangtok District is an administrative district of the Indian state of Sikkim. It was renamed in 2021 as a result of administrative reorganisation of the state, which also saw three subdivisions of the East Sikkim district spawned off as a separate Pakyong district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gyalshing district</span> District in Sikkim, India

Gyalshing District or Geyzing District is a district of the Indian state of Sikkim. Its headquarter is Geyzing, also known as Gyalshing. The district is a favourite with trekkers due to the high elevations. Other important towns include Pelling and Yuksom. Local people also call it as Pallo-Sikkim and Sano-Sikkim commonly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Namchi district</span> District in Sikkim, India

Namchi District is a district of the Indian state of Sikkim. Its headquarters is at Namchi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lachung</span> Hill station in Sikkim, India

Lachung is a town and hill station in northeast Sikkim, India. It is located in the North Sikkim district near the border with Tibet. Lachung is at an elevation of about 9,600 feet (2,900 m) and at the confluence of the Lachen and Lachung Rivers, both tributaries of the River Teesta. The word Lachung means "small pass". The town is approximately 125 kilometres (78 mi) from the capital Gangtok.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lachen River</span> River in India

The Lachen River is a tributary of the Teesta River in the state of Sikkim, India. It is one of the two main tributaries of the Teesta along with the Lachung River, which rise on opposite sides of the Donga Range in neighbouring Bhutan and converge in Chungthang in the North Sikkim district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lachung River</span> River in Sikkim, India

The Lachung River is a tributary of the Teesta River located in the East Indian state of Sikkim. It is a chief tributary of the Teesta, which is an important river in Sikkim along with Rangeet River. The village of Lachung is perched on the craggy bank of the river approximately 23 kilometres (14 mi) from Chungthang. It is at Chungthang where the Lachung and Lachen rivers converge and give rise to the Teesta. The river is 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) above sea level.

Dhemaji is a town in Assam, India and it is the headquarters of Dhemaji district, Assam, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chungthang</span> Town in Sikkim, India

Chungthang is a town in Mangan District in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is situated at the confluence of the Lachen and Lachung rivers, which combine to form the Teesta River. Located at a distance of 95 kilometres (59 mi) from the state capital Gangtok, the Indian Army has a major forward base with a medical centre in Chungthang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mangan, India</span> Town in Sikkim, India

Mangan is a town and the headquarter of the district of Mangan District in the Indian state of Sikkim. The town lying near River Teesta is connected to the capital Gangtok by a metalled road. Mangan District is the largest district of Sikkim in terms of area. The town lies in the geographic south of the district. After the opening up of the district, Mangan has witnessed a spurt in its economy, mostly due to organic farming. The town opens up the Tibetan Plateau. Mangan also serves the towns of Lachung, Chungthang and Lachen in the far north. Owing to its elevation, the town enjoys a temperate climate.

Lachen Forest Block is a village in Chungthang subdivision, North Sikkim district, Sikkim, India. The Ministry of Home Affairs has given it a geographical code of 260864.

Lachung Forest Block is a village in Chungthang subdivision, North Sikkim district, Sikkim, India. The Ministry of Home Affairs has given it a geographical code of 260866.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chungthang subdivision</span> Subdivision in Sikkim, India

Chungthang subdivision is one of the two sub-districts of North Sikkim district, in the state of Sikkim, India. Chungthang is the headquarters. It contains nine census-designated villages:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mangan subdivision</span> Subdivision in Sikkim, India

Mangan subdivision is one of the two sub-districts of North Sikkim district, in the state of Sikkim, India. Mangan is the headquarters. It contains 46 census-designated villages:

Kabi is a village in Mangan subdivision, North Sikkim district, Sikkim, India. The Ministry of Home Affairs has given it a geographical code of 260906.

Phodong Forest Block is a village in Mangan subdivision, North Sikkim district, Sikkim, India. The Ministry of Home Affairs has given it a geographical code of 260912.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dikchu</span> Town in Sikkim, India

Dikchu is a small town in the Gangtok District of the Indian state of Sikkim. The town lies at the confluence of the Dikchu River with the Teesta River and is the site of the 96 MW Dikchu River Hydroelectric Power Project as well as 510 MW Teesta V Hydroelectric Power Project. Dikchu is the last town of Gangtok District that lies on the North Sikkim Highway connecting Singtam to Chungthang, after crossing the town we enter Mangan District. Small market north of river Dikchu also lies on Mangan District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Bank of Sikkim</span> Publicly owned bank

State Bank of Sikkim (SBS) is a state owned banking institution headquartered at Gangtok, Sikkim, India. In addition to banking services, State Bank of Sikkim handles treasury functions of the Sikkim State Government.

Lachen-Mangan Assembly constituency is one of the 32 assembly constituencies of Sikkim, a north east state of India. This constituency falls under Sikkim Lok Sabha constituency.

Makha is an important town lying on the bank of Teesta River in Gangtok district of Sikkim, India. Makha lies between Singtam and Dikchu.

References

  1. "District Collectors". sikkim.gov.in.
  2. "thetelegraph.com".
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "District Census Hand Book – Sikkim" (PDF). Census of India . Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  4. O'Neill, Alexander (29 March 2017). "Sikkim claims India's first mixed-criteria UNESCO World Heritage Site" (PDF). Current Science. 112 (5): 893–994. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  5. 1 2 Ministry of Panchayati Raj (8 September 2009). "A Note on the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme" (PDF). National Institute of Rural Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  6. Choudhury, A.U. (2011). Tourism pressure on high elevation IBAs. Mistnet 12(1): 11–12.
  7. Sikkim Administrative Divisions (PDF) (Map). The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, New Delhi, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  8. "MDDS e-Governance Code (Sikkim Rural)" (PDF). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  9. US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011. 212 Liechtenstein 35,236 July 2011 est.The district was under the occupation of the Nepalese for 30 years in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
  10. "East Sikkim District Religion Census 2011".
  11. "Table C-01 Population by Religion: Sikkim". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  12. "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Sikkim". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  13. Choudhury, A.U. (2001). An overview of the status and conservation of the red panda Ailurus fulgens in India, with reference to its global status. Oryx 35(3):250–259
  14. 1 2 Indian Ministry of Forests and Environment. "Protected areas: Sikkim". Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  15. "AXIS BANK, LACHEN".
  16. "CENTRAL BANK OF INDIA, MANGAN".
  17. "CANARA BANK, MANGAN".
  18. "IDBI BANK, MANGAN".
  19. "STATE BANK OF INDIA, CHUNGTHANG".
  20. "STATE BANK OF INDIA, MANGAN".
  21. "STATE BANK OF INDIA, KABI SAB".
  22. "STATE BANK OF INDIA, LACHUNG".
  23. "STATE BANK OF INDIA, PHODONG".
  24. "STATE BANK OF INDIA, DIKCHU".
  25. "UNION BANK OF INDIA, MANGAN".
  26. "UCO BANK, MANGAN".

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