West Sikkim district


West Sikkim is a district of the
Indian 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 Yuksom. Local people also call as Pallo- Sikkim and Sano- Sikkim as commonly.

History

is the site of the ancient state capital Yuksom. It served as Sikkim's capital beginning in 1642 for almost 50 years until it was shifted to Rabtense. The district was under the occupation of the Nepalese for 30 years in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. After Anglo-Nepalese War, the district was returned to Sikkim.

Geography

covers an area of. Attractions include the Khecheopalri Lake, where, according to legend, not a leaf is allowed to fall on the surface of the lake and the Dubdi Monastery, the first monastery of the state.

Assembly Constituencies

The district was previously divided into 8 assembly constituencies.
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 census West Sikkim district has a population of 136,435, roughly equal to the nation of Grenada. This gives it a ranking of 608th in India. The district has a population density of . 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%.
At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 58.14% of the population in the district spoke Nepali, 18.59% Limbu, 6.96% Lepcha, 4.95% Sikkimese, 3.06% Sherpa, 2.44% Hindi, 2.04% Tamang and 1.75% Rai as their first language.
The people are mainly of Limbu descent. Other ethnic groups include the Lepcha and Bhutia communities. Nepali is the most widely spoken language in the district.

Flora and fauna

West Sikkim houses a great diversity of flora and fauna, many of which are used by Indigenous and local communities.
Since most of the district is hilly it enjoys a temperate climate. Above 3,800 m the slopes are full of rhododendron forests.
In 1977 West Sikkim district became home to Khangchendzonga National Park, which has an area of. It shares the park with North Sikkim district.

Divisions

Administrative divisions

West Sikkim is divided into two sub-divisions:
NameHeadquartersNumber of villagesLocation
GyalshingGyalshing
SorengSoreng