Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary

Source: TH

Subject: Mapping

Context: A forest fire has been raging since 20 January 2026 in Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, near the Indo-China border, affecting about 12 hectares of forest land.

About Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary:

What it is?

• Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary is a high-altitude protected area and a designated Important Bird Area (IBA), known for its exceptional alpine to subtropical biodiversity and strategic location along India’s eastern Himalayan frontier.

Located in: East Sikkim, Sikkim.

• Altitude (~1,300 m to >4,000 m): Wide elevation range creates subtropical, temperate and alpine ecosystems, supporting high biodiversity and climate-sensitive species.

• Area (~12,400 hectares): Large contiguous forest expanse enables ecological connectivity, wildlife movement, and functioning of high-altitude watersheds.

• Established (2002): Notified to legally protect fragile eastern Himalayan ecosystems and conserve rare flora, fauna, and migratory bird habitats.

Neighbouring states / nations

• Bhutan to the east

• China (Tibet Autonomous Region) to the north (via Nathu La–Jelep La corridor)

• Extends southwards towards West Bengal, connecting with Neora Valley National Park

Key features:

• Unique biogeography:

• Part of the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot Encompasses three biomes: Eurasian High Montane (Alpine & Tibetan) Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest

• Part of the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot

• Encompasses three biomes: Eurasian High Montane (Alpine & Tibetan) Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest

• Eurasian High Montane (Alpine & Tibetan)

• Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest

• Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest

• Rich flora:

• Rhododendron forests, Silver Fir, Juniper, oak forests with dense bamboo thickets Alpine pastures and high-altitude wetlands such as Bedang Tso Lake

• Rhododendron forests, Silver Fir, Juniper, oak forests with dense bamboo thickets

• Alpine pastures and high-altitude wetlands such as Bedang Tso Lake

• Diverse fauna:

• Tiger, Leopard, Takin, Musk Deer, Goral, Serow, Asiatic Black Bear Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Wood Snipe (Vulnerable), Tibetan Eared Pheasant (Near Threatened) Acts as a migratory corridor via Nathu La and Jelep La passes

• Tiger, Leopard, Takin, Musk Deer, Goral, Serow, Asiatic Black Bear

• Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Wood Snipe (Vulnerable), Tibetan Eared Pheasant (Near Threatened)

• Acts as a migratory corridor via Nathu La and Jelep La passes

• Strategic & military significance:

• Located along sensitive India–China–Bhutan tri-junction zone Area hosts Army deployments, affecting access and conservation operations

• Located along sensitive India–China–Bhutan tri-junction zone

• Area hosts Army deployments, affecting access and conservation operations

Significance:

• Critical habitat for endangered Himalayan species and high-altitude wetlands.

• Acts as a natural water regulator through forests and alpine lakes.

• Highly sensitive to climate change, forest fires and reduced snowfall.