Sikkim is hotspot in biodiversity : Japan

Preparation of digital maps and rapid survey for setting up biodiversity information base has been advised in the ‘biodiversity conservation’ component of the interim report of the preparatory study on ‘Integrated Project for Sustainable Development of Forest Resources in Sikkim’ by Japanese International Cooperative Agency (JICA).While presenting the biodiversity conservation component last week to the State government, the biodiversity conservation expert in the JICA study team, Dr. Pralad B Yonzon first underlined the importance of understanding why Sikkim is so important in terms of biodiversity hotspot.The continental shift millions of years ago linking Southeast Asia with other parts of Asia led Sikkim to become a faunal gate, said Dr. Yonzon. Species found here are not found elsewhere, he added.The JICA study team biodiversity expert then highlighted the constraints and opportunities and what Sikkim can secure in the sectors of rights & concession, stability of protected areas, inscription of Khangchendzonga, important bird areas and Sikkim Biodiversity Action Plan. The last one, he said, was very much people and army oriented.Regarding stability of protected areas, Dr. Yonzon said that 31 percent of protected areas in Sikkim are very small size with the medium size protected area being around 52 sq kms. Some of the protected areas here are only six sq kms which is the constraint, he said.The sizes of protected areas must be increased, said the JICA expert as priority areas for intervention. He pointed out that Sikkim has 3500 sq kms of forest while suggesting that the remaining forest areas could be amalgamated into the existing protected areas making them larger. National Park is the brand name for eco-tourism, he said. We also need accurate data for perfect policies through an institutional set up for land-based information, he said. Dr. Yonzon said that JICA is also trying to look into Kangchendzonga National Park as a world heritage list. He also suggested policy review and strategic planning of at least ten years for biodiversity conservation.Suggesting study of high-altitude ecosystem and flagship species of Sikkim, the JICA study team said that such study is very important because climate changes first occur in the high altitude areas.Dr. Yonzon suggested dividing ecosystem of Sikkim into four ecosystems – forest ecosystem, alpine ecosystem, fresh water ecosystem and agrobiodiversity ecosystem.It is also advisable to set up a biodiversity information base for Sikkim for digital map preparation by the State Forest department, he said.The JICA expert suggested a rapid biodiversity survey where 1200 plots in the forest areas of Sikkim will be computer generated. Samples will be taken from these plots and studied to where forests means in terms of biodiversity. We also need to study how much forest resources are being used by local people and whether such use is sustainable, he said. He further recommended more park boundary pillars and contribution from the Indian Army.Dr. Yonzon also stressed on research, development and promotion of ex-situ conservation at Himalayan Zoological Park, Sikkim Biodiversity Centre, Sikkim Biodiversity Trust Fund and Field Conservation Grant