Biodiversity: all creatures great and small
Sikkim has an amazing natural environment, with a rich variety of fauna and flora within a very small geographical area. Indeed such is the variety, that the area is termed as a biodiversity ‘hotspot’ – one of only two in India (and thirty four worldwide). Much of this amazing diversity can be attributed to the enormous altitudinal range found within the State – from about 300m to over 8,500m and the contiguity of habitats, which range from sub-tropical forests to high altitude cold deserts. This booklet is intended to explain what biodiversity is, why it is important and what is being, and what can be done, to protect this remarkable heritage with particular reference to Sikkim.