East Sikkim district

East Sikkim
District
The Teesta River flows for almost the entire length of Sikkim. The Teesta River flows for almost the entire length of Sikkim.
East Sikkim's location in Sikkim
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	Sikkim
Headquarters	Gangtok
Area
• Total	964 km2 (372 sq mi)
Elevation	610 m (2,000 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	281,293
• Density	290/km2 (760/sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
ISO 3166 code	IN-SK-ES
Website	http://esikkim.gov.in

East Sikkim is one of the four administrative districts of the Indian state of Sikkim. Geographically, East Sikkim occupies the south-east corner of the state. The capital of East Sikkim is Gangtok, which is also the state capital. It is the hub of all administrative activity in the state.

The civilian region is administered by a district collector, appointed by the Union Government and the military area by a Major General. As of 2011 it is the most populous of the four districts of Sikkim.

History

East Sikkim was part of the kingdom of Sikkim for most of its history. In the 19th century, the district was under the rule of the Bhutanese. After the Anglo Bhutan War, the territory was virtually under the command of the British forces. After India's independence in 1947, the area was part of the kingdom of Sikkim under the protection of India. During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Nathula Pass witnessed a few skirmishes between India and China. In 1975, the Sikkim formally became part of the Indian Union as India's 22nd state.

Geography

The district occupies an area of 964 km².

Military-wise, the district is a very sensitive area with the Indian army having control over most areas east of Gangtok and near its borders with People's Republic of China and Bhutan. Visitors to this region are restricted and just a few areas are open to tourists in the areas east of Gangtok. Popular tourist locales are the Tsongmo Lake, Baba Mandir and the Nathu La pass. The pass formed the offshoot of the ancient Silk Road which connected Lhasa to India. The pass and Baba Mandir are open to Indian nationals only. To enter this region a special permit is required; the Inner Line Permit has to be obtained one day prior to departure. This permit is made through local tourist offices. Other tourist areas include Gangtok and the famous Phodong Monastery north of Gangtok and the internationally famous Rumtek Monastery.

Assembly Constituencies

The district was previously divided into 12 assembly constituencies.

• Khamdong-Singtam
• West Pendam(SC)
• Rhenak
• Chujachen
• Gnathang-Machong(BL)
• Namcheybung
• Shyari(BL)
• Martam-Rumtek (BL)
• Upper Tadong
• Arithang
• Gangtok(BL)
• Upper Burtuk

Demographics

According to the 2011 census East Sikkim district has a population of 281,293, roughly equal to the nation of Barbados. This gives it a ranking of 574th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 295 inhabitants per square kilometre (760/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 14.79%. East Sikkim has a sex ratio of 872 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 84.67%.

People in East Sikkim are mostly of Nepali ethnicity, arriving in search of jobs after the British appropriated the state in the 19th century. Other ethnicities include the Bhutias, the Tibetans and the Lepchas. Nepali is the predominant language in the region.

Flora and fauna

East Sikkim district is home to four wildlife sanctuaries: Barsey Rhododendron, Fambong Lho, Pangolakha and Kyongnosla Alpine.

Divisions

300px

View of Kanchengaga from Gangtok

Gangtok at night

300px

A young monk

Scenes from the district

Administrative divisions

East Sikkim is divided into three sub-divisions:

Name	Headquarters	Number of villages	Location
Gangtok	Gangtok		120px
Pakyong	Pakyong		120px
Rongli	Rongli		120px

External links

• Official district government website
• East Sikkim travel guide from Wikivoyage