Gangtok

Coordinates: 27°20′N 88°37′E / 27.33°N 88.62°E / 27.33; 88.62
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Gangtok
UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
737101
Telephone code03592
Vehicle registrationSK-01
Websitegangtokdistrict.nic.in

Gangtok (

temperate
climate, Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim's tourism industry.

Gangtok rose to prominence as a popular

British India. After India won its independence from the British Empire
in 1947, Sikkim chose to remain an independent monarchy, with Gangtok as its capital. After Sikkim's merger with India in 1975, Gangtok continued as the state capital.

Etymology

The precise meaning of the name "Gangtok" is unclear, though most agree that the meaning is "hill top".In

Sikkimese: སྒང་ཏོག་
Wylie: Sgang Tog [5]

History

See also: History of Sikkim

Like the rest of Sikkim, not much is known about the early history of Gangtok.

telegraph
in the area were built during this time.

In 1894,

Nathula and Jelepla passes, benefiting Gangtok. Trade declined with the Chinese crackdown in Tibet in 1959 and the passes were sealed after the Sino-Indian War in 1962.[10][11] The Nathula pass was finally opened to limited trade in 2006, fuelling hopes of economic boom.[12]

In 1975, after years of political uncertainty and struggle, including riots, the monarchy was abrogated and Sikkim became India's twenty-second state, with Gangtok as its capital after a referendum. Gangtok has witnessed annual landslides, resulting in loss of life and damage to property. The largest disaster occurred in June 1997, when 38 were killed and hundreds of buildings were destroyed.[13]

Geography

highest mountain in the world, near the Zemu Glacier
.

Gangtok is located at 27°19′57″N 88°36′50″E / 27.3325°N 88.6140°E / 27.3325; 88.6140 (coordinates of Gangtok head post office).[2] It is in the lower Himalayas at an elevation of 1,650 m (5,410 ft).[14] The town is on the side of a hill, with "The Ridge",[8][15] a promenade with the Raj Bhawan, the governor's residence, at one end and the palace, at an altitude of about 1,800 m (5,900 ft), at the other. The city is flanked east and west by two streams, Roro Chu and Ranikhola.[13] These two rivers divide the natural drainage into two parts, eastern and western. Both streams meet the Ranipul and flow south as the Ranikhola before joining the Teesta at Singtam.[13] Most roads are steep, with the buildings built on compacted ground alongside them.[16]

Banjhakri Falls – Gangtok

Most of

Kanchenjunga (8,598 m or 28,209 ft)—the world's third-highest peak—is visible to the west of the city. The existence of steep slopes, vulnerability to landslides, large forest cover and inadequate access to most areas have been a major impediment to the natural and balanced growth of the city.[13]

Densely forested regions surround Gangtok, temperate,

sunflower, marigold, poinsettia
and others bloom, especially in November and December.

Climate

Climate data for Gangtok (1991–2020, extremes 1966–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.9
(67.8) 		22.0
(71.6) 		27.6
(81.7) 		27.3
(81.1) 		28.5
(83.3) 		28.4
(83.1) 		28.4
(83.1) 		29.9
(85.8) 		28.5
(83.3) 		27.2
(81.0) 		25.5
(77.9) 		24.0
(75.2) 		29.9
(85.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 12.4
(54.3) 		14.3
(57.7) 		17.7
(63.9) 		20.4
(68.7) 		21.4
(70.5) 		22.0
(71.6) 		21.6
(70.9) 		22.1
(71.8) 		21.5
(70.7) 		20.4
(68.7) 		17.2
(63.0) 		14.1
(57.4) 		18.8
(65.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 5.5
(41.9) 		7.3
(45.1) 		10.1
(50.2) 		12.7
(54.9) 		14.9
(58.8) 		17.1
(62.8) 		17.7
(63.9) 		17.7
(63.9) 		16.7
(62.1) 		13.8
(56.8) 		10.2
(50.4) 		7.2
(45.0) 		12.6
(54.7)
Record low °C (°F) −2.2
(28.0) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		1.4
(34.5) 		2.9
(37.2) 		6.6
(43.9) 		10.0
(50.0) 		11.3
(52.3) 		10.8
(51.4) 		7.7
(45.9) 		4.3
(39.7) 		2.4
(36.3) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		−2.2
(28.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 26.2
(1.03) 		53.6
(2.11) 		133.2
(5.24) 		333.3
(13.12) 		496.1
(19.53) 		647.0
(25.47) 		655.2
(25.80) 		547.5
(21.56) 		427.7
(16.84) 		174.3
(6.86) 		36.9
(1.45) 		16.0
(0.63) 		3,574
(140.71)
Average rainy days 2.5 4.7 9.9 16.3 20.8 23.6 27.6 25.5 21.4 8.4 2.2 1.4 164.3
Average
relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST
) 		75 77 75 79 85 89 92 92 90 83 79 76 82
Source: India Meteorological Department[18][19][20][21]

Gangtok has a monsoon-influenced

freezing are also rare.[17] During this season the weather can be unstable and change abruptly from bright sunshine and clear skies to heavy rain within a couple of hours. During spring and autumn the weather is generally sunny and mild. Owing to its elevation, Gangtok is often enveloped in fog
during the monsoon and winter months.

Economy

Dro-dul Chorten, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Mahatma Gandhi Marg is one of the main shopping and cultural activity streets in Gangtok.

Gangtok is the main base for Sikkim tourism.[24] Summer and spring seasons are the most popular tourist seasons. Many of Gangtok's residents are employed directly and indirectly in the tourism industry, with many residents owning and working in hotels and restaurants.[25]

Mahatma Gandhi Marg and Lal Market are prominent business areas and tourist spots in Gangtok.[26]

Ecotourism has emerged as an important economic activity in the region which includes trekking, mountaineering, river rafting and other nature oriented activities.[24] An estimated 351,000 tourists visited Sikkim in 2007, generating revenue of about ₹500 million (equivalent to ₹1.5 billion or US$18 million in 2023).[25]

The

Nathula Pass, located about 50 km (31 mi) from Gangtok, used to be the primary route of the wool, fur and spice trade with Tibet and spurred economic growth for Gangtok till the mid-20th century. In 1962, after the border was closed during the Sino-Indian War, Gangtok fell into recession.[10] The pass was reopened in 2006 and trade through the pass has helped to boost the economy of Gangtok.[24] Back in 2008 the Sikkim government stated that it was keen to open a Lhasa–Gangtok bus service via the Nathula Pass[27] though 15 years later no such service has materialised. Sikkim's mountainous terrain limits the area's potential for rapid industrial development.[24] The government is the largest employer in the city,[13]
both directly and as conttractors.

Gangtok's economy does not have a large manufacturing base, but has a thriving

Indian army maintains a large presence in the vicinity of Gangtok. This leads to a population of semi-permanent residents who bring money into the local economy.[29] The Sikkim government started India's first online lottery Playwin to boost government income, but this was later closed by a ruling from the Sikkim High Court.[30]

Agriculture is a large employer in Sikkim and in 2003 the Sikkim state government declared the goal of converting the whole sector to organic production.[31] The goal of 100% organic was achieved in 2016.[31] This achievement offers new export opportunities to grow the agriculture sector, to achieve premium prices and new opportunities for agritourism.[31]

Civic administration

  • The "White Hall" complex on "The Ridge" houses the residences of the Chief Minister and Governor of Sikkim.
    The "White Hall" complex on "The Ridge" houses the residences of the
    Chief Minister
    and Governor of Sikkim.
  • Sikkim Legislative Assembly in Gangtok. Fog is common in Gangtok.
    Sikkim Legislative Assembly in Gangtok. Fog is common in Gangtok.

Gangtok is administered by the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) along with the various departments of the Government of Sikkim, particularly the Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) and the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).[13][32] These departments provide municipal functions such as garbage disposal, water supply, tax collection, licence allotments, and civic infrastructure. An administrator appointed by the state government heads the UDHD.[33]

As the headquarters of

Inspector General of Police oversees the town.[35] Sikkim is known for its very low crime rate.[36] Rongyek jail in Gangtok is Sikkim's only central jail.[37]

Gangtok is within the

Vidhan Sabha. The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) won both the parliamentary election in 2009 and the state assembly seat in the 2009 state assembly polls.[38][39]

Utility services

Electricity is supplied by the power department of the

Rateychu River, located about 16 km (9.9 mi) from the city, at an altitude of 2,621 m (8,599 ft). Its water treatment plant is located at Selep. The river Rateychu is snow-fed and has perennial streams. Since there is no habitation in the catchment area except for a small army settlement, there is little environmental degradation and the water is of very good quality.[13]
40 seasonal local springs are used by the Rural Management and Development Department of Sikkim Government to supply water to outlying rural areas.

Around 40% of the population has access to sewers.

sullage is discharged into the drains.[13] Without a proper sanitation system, the practice of disposing sewage through septic tanks and directly discharging into Jhoras and open drains is prevalent.[13] The entire city drains into the two rivers, Ranikhola and Roro Chu, through numerous small streams and Jhoras. Ranikhola and Roro Chu rivers confluence with Teesta River, the major source of drinking water to the population downstream. The densely populated urban area of Gangtok does not have a combined drainage system to drain out the stormwater and wastewater from the buildings.[13] The estimated solid waste generated in Gangtok city is approximately 45 tonnes.[13] Only around 40% of this is collected by UDHD, while the remainder is indiscriminately thrown into Jhora, streets and valleys.[13] The collected waste is disposed in a dump located about 20 km (12 mi) from the city. There is no waste collection from inaccessible areas where vehicles cannot reach, nor does any system of collection of waste exist in the adjoining rural areas. The city is under a statewide ban on the use of polythene bags.[13]

Transport

Road

Four wheel drives are used to easily navigate the steep slopes of the roads. The 1 km (0.6 mi) long cable car with three stops connects lower Gangtok suburbs with Sikkim Legislative assembly in central Gangtok and the upper suburbs.[42]

Gangtok is connected to the rest of India by an all-weather metalled highway,

National Highway 31A, which links Gangtok to Siliguri, located 114 km (71 mi) away in the neighbouring state of West Bengal. The highway also provides a link to the neighbouring hill station towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, which are the nearest urban areas. Regular jeep, van and bus services link these towns to Gangtok. Gangtok is a linear city that has developed along the arterial roads, especially National Highway 31A.[13] Most of the road length in Gangtok is of two lane undivided carriageway with footpath on one side of the road and drain on the other. The steep gradient of the different road stretches coupled with a spiral road configuration constrain the smooth flow of vehicular as well as pedestrian traffic.[13]

Rail

The nearest railhead connected to the rest of India is New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station (station code - NJP) in Siliguri, 124 km (77 mi) from Gangtok via NH10. Another railway station near Gangtok is Siliguri Junction (station code - SGUJ). There are quite many trains that connect Siliguri Junction with Sealdah railway station in Kolkata and others parts of north-east India. Work has begun on a broad-gauge railway link from Sevoke in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim,[44] which is planned for extension to Gangtok.[45]

Air

Runway at Pakyong Airport, the first greenfield airport to be constructed in Northeast India.

Pakyong Airport[46] is spread over 400 ha (990 acres) at Pakyong, about 35 km (22 mi) south of Gangtok.[47] At 1,400 m (4,500 ft), it is one of the five highest airports in India,[48] and also the first greenfield airport to be constructed in the Northeastern Region of India,[49] the 100th operational airport in India, and the only airport in the state of Sikkim.[50][51]

The airport was inaugurated by India's Prime Minister

Kolkata.[53]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1951 2,744—    
1961 6,848+149.6%
1971 13,308+94.3%
1981 36,747+176.1%
1991 25,024−31.9%
2001 29,354+17.3%
2011 98,658+236.1%
Population 1951–2011.[24] Negative growth attributed to reduction of notified town limits.

According to the Provisional Population Totals 2011 census of India, the population of Gangtok Municipal Corporation has been estimated to be 98,658. Males constituted 53% of the population and females 47%. The Gangtok subdivision of the East Sikkim district had a population of 281,293, Gangtok has an average literacy rate of 82.17%, higher than the national average of 74%: male literacy is 85.33%, and female literacy is 78.68.[54] About 8% of Gangtok's population live in the nine notified slums and squatter settlements, all on Government land. More people live in areas that depict slum-like characteristics but have not been notified as slums yet because they have developed on private land.[55] Of the total urban population of Sikkim, Gangtok Municipal Corporation has a share of 55.5%. Including Gangtok, East District has a share of 88% of the total urban population. The quality of life, the pace of development and availability of basic infrastructure and employment prospects has been the major cause for rapid migration to the city. With this migration, the urban services are under pressure, intensified by the lack of availability of suitable land for infrastructure development.[13]

Ethnic

Bengalis.[57]

Religion in Gangtok city (2011)[58]
Hinduism
 
 58.81%
Buddhism
 
 28.15%
Christianity
 
 9.07%
Islam
 
 3.14%
Other or not stated
 
 0.83%
Languages spoken in Gangtok City (2011)[57]
  1. Nepali 59.01 (59.0%)
  2. Hindi
    14.13 (14.1%)
  3. Bhutia
    10.11 (10.1%)
  4. Bhojpuri 2.74 (2.74%)
  5. Bengali 2.71 (2.71%)
  6. Lepcha 2.68 (2.68%)
  7. Tibetan 1.04 (1.04%)
  8. Tamang 1.01 (1.01%)
  9. Sherpa 0.9 (0.90%)
  10. Limbu 0.84 (0.84%)
  11. Marwari 0.72 (0.72%)
  12. Urdu
    0.6 (0.60%)
  13. Marathi 0.42 (0.42%)
  14. Odia 0.34 (0.34%)
  15. Malayalam
    0.33 (0.33%)
  16. Rai 0.28 (0.28%)
  17. Telugu 0.23 (0.23%)
  18. Assamese 0.19 (0.19%)
  19. Tamil 0.18 (0.18%)
  20. Manipuri 0.18 (0.18%)
  21. Maithili 0.11 (0.11%)
  22. Others 1.29 (1.29%)

Tibetan and Lepcha
.

Culture

  • The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Museum displays rare Lepcha tapestries, masks and Buddhist statues.
    The
    Buddhist
    statues.
  • View of downtown Gangtok city from Crown Prince Tenzing Kunzang Namgyal Walkway.
    View of downtown Gangtok city from Crown Prince Tenzing Kunzang Namgyal Walkway.
  • Rumtek Monastery, located on the outskirts of Gangtok, is one of Buddhism's holiest monasteries.
    Rumtek Monastery, located on the outskirts of Gangtok, is one of Buddhism's holiest monasteries.

Apart from the major religious festivals of

Lhabab Duechen and Drupka Teshi are some other festivals, some distinct to local culture and others shared with the rest of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet.[24][64]

A popular food in Gangtok is the

Churpee, a kind of hard cheese made from cow's or yak's milk is sometimes chewed. Chhang is a local frothy millet beer traditionally served in bamboo tankards and drunk through bamboo or cane straws.[66]

Chhaams are vividly costumed monastic dances performed on ceremonial and festive occasions, especially in the monasteries during the Tibetan new year.[64]

City institutions

A centre of Buddhist learning and culture, Gangtok's most notable Buddhist institutions are the

Do-drul Chorten is a stupa which was constructed in 1945 by Trulshik Rimpoché, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism.[59] Inside this stupa are complete set of relics, holy books, and mantras. Surrounding the edifice are 108 Mani Lhakor, or prayer wheels.[59]
The complex also houses a religious school.

The

Tibetan Buddhist scriptures and religious objects in its reliquary. Constructed in the 1960s, the building is modelled after a similar monastery in Lhasa, Tibet. Rumtek was the focus of international media attention in 2000 after the seventeenth Karmapa, one of the four holiest lamas, fled Lhasa and sought refuge in the monastery.[67][68]

The

spotted deer, amongst the others.[74] Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Gardens, near Rumtek, houses many species of orchid and as many as fifty different species of tree, including many oaks.[75]

Education

Gangtok's schools are either run by the state government or by private and religious organisations. Schools mainly use English and

Kendriya Vidyalaya.[77]

Colleges conferring graduate degrees include

Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences and Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology.[13] The Indira Gandhi National Open University also has a regional centre in the city. There are other institutions offering diplomas in Buddhist literature, catering and other non-mainstream fields.[13] District Institute of Education and Training and State Institute of Education conduct teacher training programmes.[78][79]

Media

More than 50 newspapers are published in Sikkim.[80] Multiple local Nepali and English newspapers are published,[81] whereas regional and national Hindi and English newspapers, printed elsewhere in India, are also circulated.

Gangtok has two cinemas featuring Nepali,

Hindi and English-language films.[59] The town also has a public library.[59]

The main service providers are Sikkim Cable, Nayuma,

Jio and Airtel have the four largest cellular networks in the town with 4G services available within the city limits. There is a Doordarshan TV station in Gangtok.[84]

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gangtok.
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