Pangolakha Wildlife sanctuary

Pangolakha Wildlife sanctuary

News: Recently, the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary has been in the news because a Royal Bengal Tiger was sighted at an altitude of 3,640 meters within the sanctuary. This sighting, captured by the trap cameras of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), is the highest elevation at which a tiger has been recorded in India. The sanctuary serves as a corridor for tigers entering the forests of north Sikkim from Bhutan.

About:
• The Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve located in the Pakyong District of the state of Sikkim in India. It covers approximately 124 square kilometers and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.
• It is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Sikkim.
• The sanctuary is situated at the intersection of the Palearctic realm and the Indomalayan realm, resulting in a rich variety of species.
• The sanctuary is linked to the forests of Neora Valley National Park of West Bengal as well as forests of Samtse, Bhutan, and Haa district Bhutan.
• It is home to various species, including red pandas, snow leopards, Himalayan musk deer, goral, and black bears.
• Major rivers like Rangpo and Jaldhaka originate from nearby lakes within the sanctuary.