Sikkim Geography for UPSC: Interactive Map, Rivers and Protected Areas
a small Himalayan state rising to Kangchenjunga on the Nepal border
5
Protected areas mapped
2
Rivers mapped
At a glance
Capital
Gangtok
Language
Nepali, English
Dance
Singhi Chham
Area
7,096 km²
Coastline
Landlocked
Highest peak
Kangchenjunga · 8,586 m
Borders
West Bengal, Nepal (international), China (international), Bhutan (international)
Why UPSC asks about Sikkim
Sikkim is the Kangchenjunga state: the Teesta valley, the Kanchenjunga National Park (UNESCO), and the Nathu La corridor to Tibet. UPSC tests the Teesta water-sharing with Bangladesh, Kanchenjunga biosphere reserve, and India's first fully organic state.
Teesta
Rises Tso Lhamo (Cholamu) lake near the Tibetan border; flows to joins the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) in Bangladesh
The Teesta is Sikkim's lifeline; the Teesta water-sharing with Bangladesh remains unresolved.
Rangit
Rises Western Sikkim, near the Kanchenjunga range; flows to Joins the Teesta near Melli
Khachoedpalri Wetland
A sacred lake in West Sikkim (Khecheopalri) designated Ramsar in 2025, revered by Buddhists and Hindus, surrounded by temperate forest.
Ramsar (2025); sacred Khecheopalri lake of West Sikkim.
Khangchendzonga Biosphere
A biosphere reserve in north-west Sikkim around Khangchendzonga NP, a UNESCO mixed heritage site, spanning tropical valleys to glaciers, with snow leopard, red panda and sacred lakes.
Around Khangchendzonga, a UNESCO mixed heritage site.
Khangchendzonga NP
A park in north-west Sikkim around the world's third-highest peak, Kangchenjunga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (India's first 'mixed' natural-cultural site) with glaciers, alpine meadows and the snow leopard.
UNESCO mixed World Heritage Site; Kangchenjunga and snow leopard.
Singhba Rhododendron WLS
A sanctuary in Yumthang valley of North Sikkim, famous for its rhododendron forests that bloom in spring across the alpine slopes.
Yumthang valley; spring rhododendron blooms.
Fambong Lho WLS
A sanctuary near Gangtok with oak and rhododendron forests, home to the red panda and a rich bird diversity.
Near Gangtok; red panda habitat.
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