West Sikkim
Encyclopedia
West Sikkim is a district of the
India
n state
of Sikkim
. Its capital is Geyzing
, also known as Gyalshing. The district is a favourite with trekkers due to the high elevations. Other important towns include Pelling
and Jorethang
.
. It served as the capital beginning in 1642 for almost 50 years until it was shifted to Rabtense. The district was under the occupation of the Nepal
ese for many decades in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. After the Gorkha War, the district was returned to Sikkim.
has a population
of 136,299 , roughly equal to the nation of Grenada
. This gives it a ranking of 608th in India (out of a total of 640
). The district has a population density of 117 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
over the decade 2001-2011 was 10.58 %. West Sikkim has a sex ratio
of 941 females
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
of 78.69 %.
The people are mainly of Nepal
i descent. Other ethnic groups include the Lepcha
and Bhutia
communities. Nepali
is the most widely spoken language in the district.
climate. Above 3,800 m (12,000 ft) the slopes are full of rhododendron
forests.
In 1977 West Sikkim district became home to Khangchendzonga National Park
, which has an area of 1784 square kilometre. It shares the park with North Sikkim district.
West Sikkim is divided into two sub-divisions:
India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Sikkim
Sikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
. Its capital is Geyzing
Geyzing
Gyalshing or Geyzing is the capital of the district of West Sikkim in the Indian state of Sikkim. The town is connected to the capital Gangtok by a metalled road. Geyzing is also connected to the West Bengal towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong via Jorethang. A few kilometres north is the town of...
, also known as Gyalshing. The district is a favourite with trekkers due to the high elevations. Other important towns include Pelling
Pelling
Pelling has a helipad ground though there is no regular air service. Helicopters can connect Pelling with Gangtok on request....
and Jorethang
Jorethang
Jorethang is a major town in South Sikkim district in the Indian state of Sikkim. The town is situated at an altitude of about 300 m above sea level and has a temperate climate. Jorethang lies on the Rangeet River, a tributary of the River Teesta. Jorethang lies on the way to Pelling from...
.
History
West Sikkim has the ancient capital of the state YuksomYuksom
Yuksom is a historical town in Geyzing subdivision of West Sikkim district in the Northeast Indian state of Sikkim. It was the first capital of Sikkim established in 1642 AD by Phuntsog Namgyal who was the first Chogyal of Sikkim. The coronation site of the first monarch of Sikkim is known as the...
. It served as the capital beginning in 1642 for almost 50 years until it was shifted to Rabtense. The district was under the occupation of the Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
ese for many decades in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. After the Gorkha War, the district was returned to Sikkim.
Geography
West Sikkim is 1166 square kilometers. Attractions include the Khecheoperi lake which as legend has it, not a leaf is allowed to fall on the surface of the lake and the Dubdi Monastery, the first monastery of the state.Economy
The economy is mainly agrarian, despite most of the land being unfit for cultivation owing to the precipitous and rocky slopes.Transport
The region has many power projects and enjoys almost uninterrupted electricity. Roads are in poor condition owing to the frequent landslides.Demographics
According to the 2011 census2011 census of India
The 15th Indian National census was conducted in two phases, houselisting and population enumeration. Houselisting phase began on April 1, 2010 and involved collection of information about all buildings...
has a population
Demographics of India
The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...
of 136,299 , roughly equal to the nation of Grenada
Grenada
Grenada is an island country and Commonwealth Realm consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea...
. This gives it a ranking of 608th in India (out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
). The district has a population density of 117 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
Family planning in India
Family planning in India is based on efforts largely sponsored by the Indian government. In the 1965-2009 period, contraceptive usage has more than tripled and the fertility rate has more than halved , but the national fertility rate is still high enough to cause long-term population growth...
over the decade 2001-2011 was 10.58 %. West Sikkim has a sex ratio
Sex ratio
Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. The primary sex ratio is the ratio at the time of conception, secondary sex ratio is the ratio at time of birth, and tertiary sex ratio is the ratio of mature organisms....
of 941 females
Women in India
The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful...
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
Literacy in India
Literacy in India is key for socio-economic progress, and the Indian literacy rate grew to 74.04% in 2011 from 12% at the end of British rule in 1947. Although this was a greater than sixfold improvement, the level is well below the world average literacy rate of 84%, and India currently has the...
of 78.69 %.
The people are mainly of Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
i descent. Other ethnic groups include the Lepcha
Lepcha people
The Lepcha or Róng people , also called Róngkup , Mútuncí Róngkup Rumkup , and Rongpa , are the aboriginal people of Sikkim, who number between 30,000 and 50,000...
and Bhutia
Bhutia
The Bhutia are ethnic Tibetans who speak Sikkimese, a Tibetan dialect fairly mutually intelligible to standard Tibetan. In 2001, the Bhutia numbered around 70,300...
communities. Nepali
Nepali language
Nepali or Nepalese is a language in the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family.It is the official language and de facto lingua franca of Nepal and is also spoken in Bhutan, parts of India and parts of Myanmar...
is the most widely spoken language in the district.
Flora and fauna
The district has a wide variety of fauna and flora to offer. Since most of the district is hilly it enjoys a temperateTemperate
In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold...
climate. Above 3,800 m (12,000 ft) the slopes are full of rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers...
forests.
In 1977 West Sikkim district became home to Khangchendzonga National Park
Khangchendzonga National Park
Khangchendzonga National Park also Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve is a National Park and a Biosphere reserve located in North Sikkim district in the Indian state of Sikkim....
, which has an area of 1784 square kilometre. It shares the park with North Sikkim district.
Administrative divisions
West Sikkim is divided into two sub-divisions:
| Name | Headquarters | Number of villages | Location |
| Gyalshing | Gyalshing | ||
| Sorreng | Sorreng |