Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resource Management for Sustainable Development in Gangtok

Situated in close proximity to the Eastern Himalayan global biodiversity hotspot, the city of Gangtok is the capital and the largest urban centre in Sikkim. It also is the headquarters of the East Sikkim district. Gangtok is located in the Eastern Himalayan range, at an elevation of 1,650 m. The city’s population of 1,00,286 is comprised of people of different ethnicities such as Nepali, Lepchas and Bhutia. Gangtok accounts for more than 65% of the total urban population of Sikkim (Housing and Urban Department Cooperation). According to Census of India (2011) the population of Gangtok city is 1,00,286Gangtok has historically and consistently recorded very high growth rate of population except for the decade 1981-91 that recorded a negative growth rate of 31.90% (Housing and Urban Department Cooperation). The last decade i.e. 2001-2011 has observed the most exceptional growth rate of 241.64%.

Rapid urbanization has led to reduction and exploitation of the natural resources like surface and ground water and also led to dwindling of traditional resource utilization and management practices which were earlier followed by the communities. Urbanization has also led to acceleration of pollution, which has in turn had an impact on the biodiversity of the city-region (area comprising of the city and its vicinity).

Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation and natural resource management into urban planning is thus needed to ensure sustainable development.

In this context, ICLEI South Asia will conduct the following:

1. Develop Natural Asset Map for Gangtok
2. Undertake baseline assessment and stakeholder consultation to develop the local biodiversity strategy action plan for Gangtok