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Sikkim
Submitted by admin on Wed, 12/10/2008 - 15:49
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However, no development programme and orientation can remain the same for ever. It has to undergo a whole range of transformation depending upon the changing aspirations of the people, broadening nature of development instruments and agencies, new dimensions of social problems and economic ills, increasing resource crunch, sustainability imperatives of the State and the growing complexity in the functioning of both national and international systems. In other words, the development challenges in the 21st century for a State like Sikkim are formidable, enormous and complex. The devising of new strategies, approaches and instruments for meeting these challenges itself is a complicated and serious task. The State of Sikkim has been debating and deliberating on the entire spectrum of new challenges particularly in the context of globalisation during the last over one decade. Thus a very systematic thought has gone into the process of devising the new strategies, approaches and instruments that fit into the development needs and goals of the State. These are all duly reflected in the 10th Five Year Plan and forthcoming 11 Five Year Plan documents of the State.
Total Population - 2001 Census:(In Nos.)
Source: Sikkim A Statistical Profile 2006-07
District-wise Population - 2001 Census:
Source: Sikkim A Statistical Profile 2006-07
NSDP at factor cost by industry of origin at current prices (As on 28-02-2008):(Rs. lacs)
Source: Central Statistical Organisation (CSO)
NSDP at factor cost by industry of origin at 1999-2000 Prices (As on 28-02-2008):(Rs. lacs)
Source: Central Statistical Organisation (CSO)
Per Capita Income at factor cost by industry of origin at current prices (As on 28-02-2008):(Rs.)
Source: Central Statistical Organisation (CSO)
Per Capita Income at factor cost by industry of origin at 1999-2000 Prices (As on 28-02-2008):(Rs.)
Source: Central Statistical Organisation (CSO)
Agriculture is vital to the progress of Sikkim, because more than 64 per cent of population depend on agriculture for their livelihood. It has been the backbone of Sikkim's economy, representing about a third of State’s Gross Domestic Product.
The government has decided to adopt the policy of growth with sustainability, making Horticulture a priority sector for higher income generation to farming community as well as to concentrate more on securing maximum crop production of agricultural crops and managing primary agro-resources like soil, water and bio-diversity.
Sikkim is a hilly State in the Eastern Himalayas where agricultural practices and adaptations are highly variable in time and space due to varying altitudes and agro-climatic situations. The surveyed arable land in Sikkim is estimated to be around 1,09,000 hectares, i.e., 15.36 % of the total geographical area, and of which, about 9.50 % is the net sown area.
Mixed farming, an ideally suited system, is commonly followed by farmers in the State, and which fits well in the developmental process of making Sikkim an Organic State.
Cash and commercial crops like large cardamom, ginger, orange, seed potato, flowers and off-season vegetables , cereals like rice, wheat, maize, finger-millet, barley and buckwheat, pulses like urad, ricebean, rajmah, fieldpea, cowpea and cluster-bean, oilseeds like rapeseed, mustard, soybean and safflower, and other agricultural miscellaneous crops are grown with the active support of the government departments concerned.
Area and Production of Cereal Crops, 2006-07:
Source: Sikkim, A Statistical Profile 2006-07
Area and Production of Horticultural Crops, 2006-07:
Source: Sikkim, A Statistical Profile 2006-07
Area and Production of Oilseeds, 2006-07:
Source: Sikkim, A Statistical Profile 2006-07
Area and Production of Pulses, 2006-07:
Source: Sikkim, A Statistical Profile 2006-07
Number of Government Educational Institutions (as on 30.06.2006):
Source: Sikkim A Statistical Profile 2006-07
Number of Government Teacher (as on 30.06.2005):
Source: Sikkim A Statistical Profile 2006-07
Number of Private Educational Institutions and Enrolment For Session 2006:
Source: Sikkim A Statistical Profile 2006-07
The Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts was established in the year 1957 with the sole purpose of promoting and preserving the fine ethnic arts and crafts of Sikkim. The Directorate is a unique combination of training-cum-production spread over 20 centers in Sikkim. A Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation ltd has been formed which will facilitate effective marketing of quality based products and make more jobs and avenues for crafts persons.
Seven new Training Centers were opened during the last seven years where training in various traditional arts and crafts are imparted.
Modernization of looms has resulted into production of better quality carpets. The Directorate also introduced ‘Hire Purchase Scheme’ for issuance of Handicrafts & Handloom items to the State Government Employees on monthly installment basis. This scheme has been a great success and has resulted into high sales revenue.
Craft Fairs are organized at Gangtok as yearly feature and DHH has been participating at various fairs in the State as well as at the National level. Because of the keen interest shown by the Government and the thrust given in the development of the Handicrafts and Handloom Sector.
In Sikkim, forests constitute the major Land Use.
The State supports luxuriant tropical, temperate and alpine vegetation in its most pristine and virgin form. Its unique geographical position, varied topography, high annual precipitation, minimum demographic pressure makes the area one of the richest botanical treasure houses of the country.
Forest cover accounts for 45% of the total geographical area and 42.46% of the geographical area has been set aside by the State Government for the Protected Area Network (PAN) consisting of National Park, Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserve, as against a figure of 5% or so for the entire country.
The State Government has banned the grazing in forest areas. Further, to overcome the situation, it is required to increase the participation of the local people in the conservation and management of forest resources of the State and to maintain the ecology of the state without hampering development activities
A massive need-based and time-bound ‘Programme of Afforestation and Tree Planting’ has been taken up with greater emphasis on production of fuel wood , fodder , timber, medicinal plants, NTFPs , bamboos etc. on degraded and denuded lands, both forest and non-forest.
Special efforts are being relied upon for greater input of recent technological advancements in the field of tree improvement, modern nursery techniques, modern forest fire fighting technology, improved communication system, use of Remote Sensing, geographical information system, use of global position system, use of information technology in setting up of management information system for efficient management of natural resources & improvement of forest productivity.
The State of Sikkim, lying in the Eastern Himalayas, has a total geographical area of 7096 sq. km. The topography is wholly mountainous with varying altitudes from 300 m. in the sub-tropical belt to 5500 m in the temperate alpine zone. The state has vast Water resources in the form of lakes, snow-fed rivers and streams, some with marshy area.
Fisheries Department in Sikkim was established at the fag end of the Fifth Five Year Plan.
Livestock population in Sikkim is widely distributed. In the high altitude areas yaks, sheep and local goats known as "Chengra" predominate whereas in the mid hill and low lying areas the important breeds are siri-cows, jersey and H.F. crossbred, goats, poultry and pigs are reared. In almost all these livestock the exotic blood inheritance level is increasing due to continuous introduction of genetically superior germplasm. In Sikkim the first official livestock census was conducted in 1977. There is no dramatic increase in livestock population except pigs and yaks. However, the crossbred of productive animals especially cattle have increased over the years.
Sikkim does not have any airports or railheads because of its rough terrain. The closest airport, Bagdogra Airport, is near the town of Siliguri, West Bengal. The airport is about 124 km away from Gangtok. A regular helicopter service run by the Sikkim Helicopter Service connects Gangtok to Bagdogra; the flight is thirty minutes long, operates only once a day, and can carry 4 people. The Gangtok helipad is the only civilian helipad in the state. The closest railway station is New Jalpaiguri which is situated sixteen kilometres from Siliguri.
National Highway 31A links Siliguri to Gangtok. The highway is an all-weather metalled road which mostly runs parallel of the river Teesta, entering Sikkim at Rangpo. Numerous public and privately run bus and jeep services connect the airport, railway station, and Siliguri to Gangtok. A branch of the highway from Melli connects western Sikkim. Towns in southern and western Sikkim are connected to the northern West Bengal hill stations of Kalimpong and Darjeeling. Within the state, four wheel drives are the most popular means of transport, as they can navigate rocky slopes. Mini-buses link the smaller towns to the state and district headquarters.
The climate ranges from sub-tropical in the south to tundra in the northern parts. Most of the inhabited regions of Sikkim, however, enjoy a temperate climate, with the temperatures seldom exceeding 28°C (82°F) in summer or dropping below 0°C (32°F) in winter. The state enjoys five seasons: winter, summer, spring, and autumn, and a monsoon season between June and September. The average annual temperature for most of Sikkim is around 18°C (64°F). Sikkim is one of the few states in India to receive regular snowfall. The snow line is around 6,000metres (19,600feet).During the monsoon months, the state is lashed by heavy rains that increase the number of landslides. The state record for the longest period of non-stop rain is eleven days. In the northern region, because of high altitude, temperatures drop below −40°C in winter. Fog also affects many parts of the state during winter and the monsoons, making transportation extremely perilous.
Sikkim is a small state with population of half a million as per 1991 census. The nearest airport is Bagdogra in West Bengal (120 Km) and the nearest railway head is New Jalpaiguri (110 Km) also in West Bengal. However, an airport has been sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation & Airports Authority of India which has been accorded top priority. Construction of the airport is underway and should be operational in the near future. Besides, proposals have also been sent to the Union Government for a railway link connecting Siliguri and Nathula.
Sikkim is a comparatively peaceful state having skilled manpower, a wide network of road communication, banking facilities and no Labour problem.
The Government has identified certain areas for the establishment of Growth Centers mainly is South and West districts. Further the Government has approved the proposal for declaring the following areas as Industries Belt Areas viz. Melli-Legship, Rangpo-Ranipool, and Ranipool-Saramsa areas as Industries Belt Areas viz. Melli-Legship, Rangpo-Ranipool, and Ranipool-Saramsa corridors. Setting up a Public Sector undertakings in four District head quarters and Small Scale Industrial Units at the Gram Panchayat Levels are also proposed so that avenues area created for the unemployed youths.
The following are the Thrust Areas identified by the Government
Information technology-development of electronic parks etc.
Single Window Clearance are issued for the investors within a very short period and therefore it is considered as one of the best place for investment, Government encourages only the projects, which are high value, low volume eco-friendly and not detrimental to its cultural heritage.
So far, the State government has been the major employer in the state. The government has felt the need create more private sector jobs and is actively pursuing a policy of educating youth on the need to become entrepreneurs and pursue economic activity on their own with active support from the government.
There are various thrust areas of investment and priority which the government has been focusing on. They are area where the State has a huge potential for industry where the State enjoys a comparative advantage. The major endowments of the State are its nature and natural resources, flora and fauna. The State has also a huge potential for hydel power and trade prospects of opening up of the international border trade through Nathula.
The crucial inputs that the State can make available for industry are its manpower, rich varieties of flora and fauna and various horticultural produce. Sikkim has a potential for medicinal herbs.
Sikkim is a politically stable State with virtually no law and order problem as people are peace loving. The State does not suffer from any labour related problem either. Sikkim probably is the only State in the north-eastern areas, which is free from any insurgency related problems. The friendly environment and pollution free atmosphere is absolutely conducive to investment. There could not have been a better situation.
Given the fragility of the eco-system, the approach towards industry is a cautions one and primarily environment friendly. Industries should be entirely pollution free and effluents should be bare minimum with nature friendly disposal of wastes. The strategy would be to build on State’s comparative advantages in terms of raw materials and cheap labour surmounting State’s handicaps. In other words, promotion of the industries should be in tune with the development strategy.
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Sikkim is a strategically located tiny hill State with an area of 7096 sq km. One of the special category States in the country Sikkim is also the 8th Member of the North Eastern Council. The lofty mountains, perennial glaciers, lush green hills, valleys and the rich bio-diversity constitute the magnificent watershed for sustainable social and economic development and also for enriching the traditional and cultural heritage of the State. Sikkim is encircled by three different international boundaries. To its west lies Nepal and Bhutan, to its east Tibet Autonomous Region of People’s Republic of China and to its south Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council of West Bengal. The State joined the democratic mainstream of the Indian Union only 32 years ago in 1975. Since then progress in democratic and planned development has generated ample social and economic security to the masses. Their choices are broadened and their hopes transformed into opportunities. The journey so far has been rewarding and the development efforts satisfactory.