User:Gangtok999/Gangtok

Coordinates: 27°20′N 88°37′E / 27.33°N 88.62°E / 27.33; 88.62
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Gangtok
capital
UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
737101
Telephone code03592
Vehicle registrationSK-01, SK-02, SK-03, SK-04

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 Britain in 1947, Sikkim chose to remain an independent monarchy, with Gangtok as its capital. In 1975, after the integration with the union of India, Gangtok was made India's twenty-second state capital.

The precise meaning of the name Gangtok is unclear, though the most popular meaning is "hill top".[2] Today, Gangtok is a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning, with the presence of several monasteries, religious educational institutions, and centres for Tibetology.

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,

Jelepla passes, offshoots of the ancient Silk Road near Gangtok. These border passes were sealed after the Sino-Indian War in 1962, which deprived Gangtok of its trading business.[7] The Nathula pass was finally opened for limited trade in 2006.[8]

In 1975, the monarchy was abrogated and Sikkim became India's twenty-second state, with Gangtok as its capital. 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.[dead link][9]

Geography

Kanchenjunga
, the world's third-tallest peak, is visible from Gangtok.

Gangtok is located at 27°20′N 88°37′E / 27.33°N 88.62°E / 27.33; 88.62.

East Sikkim district. The town lies on one side of a hill, with "The Ridge",[5][12] a promenade housing the governor's residence, at one end and the palace, situated at an altitude of about 6,000 ft (1,829 m), at the other. The city is flanked on east and west by two streams, namely Roro Chu and Ranikhola, respectively.[dead link][9] These two rivers divide the natural drainage into two parts, the eastern and western parts. Both the streams meet the Ranipul and flow south as the main Ranikhola before it joins the Teesta at Singtam.[dead link][9] Most of the roads are steep, with the buildings built on compacted ground alongside them.[13]

Most of

Kanchenjunga (8,598 m or 28,208 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 has been a major impediment to the natural and balanced growth of the city.[dead link][9]

There are densely forested regions around Gangtok, consisting of temperate,

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

Climate

Climate data for Gangtok
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 13
(55) 		14
(57) 		18
(64) 		21
(70) 		22
(72) 		22
(72) 		22
(72) 		22
(72) 		22
(72) 		21
(70) 		18
(64) 		14
(57) 		19
(66)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 4
(39) 		5
(41) 		9
(48) 		11
(52) 		14
(57) 		16
(61) 		17
(63) 		16
(61) 		15
(59) 		12
(54) 		9
(48) 		6
(43) 		11
(52)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 31.9
(1.26) 		79.4
(3.13) 		122.2
(4.81) 		270.9
(10.67) 		527.7
(20.78) 		611.3
(24.07) 		628.6
(24.75) 		563.2
(22.17) 		463.4
(18.24) 		177.9
(7.00) 		41.7
(1.64) 		21.1
(0.83) 		3,539.3
(139.35)
[citation needed]

Gangtok features a monsoon-influenced

freezing are also rare.[dead link][14] 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

The hospitality industry is the largest industry in Gangtok as the city is the main base for Sikkim tourism.[dead link][16] 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.[17][failed verification]

MG Marg (Road) is one of the central attractions in Gangtok

Ecotourism has emerged as an important economic activity in the region which includes trekking, mountaineering, river rafting and other nature oriented activities.[dead link][16] An estimated 351,000 tourists visited Sikkim in 2007, generating revenue of about Rs 50 crores (Rs 500 millions).[17]

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.[7] The pass was reopened in 2006 and trade through the pass is expected to boost the economy of Gangtok.[dead link][16] The Sikkim government is keen to open a Lhasa–Gangtok bus service via Nathula pass.[18] Sikkim's mountainous terrain results in the lack of train or air links, limiting the area's potential for rapid industrial development.[dead link][16] The government is the largest employer in the city,[dead link][9]
both directly and as contractors.

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.[20] 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.[21]

Civic administration

Chief Minister
and Governor of Sikkim.
Sikkim Legislative Assembly in Gangtok. Fog is common in Gangtok.

Gangtok is not administered by a municipality but directly by the various departments of Government of Sikkim, particularly the Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) and Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).[dead link][9][22] These departments look after the civic functions such as garbage disposal, water supply, tax collection, license allotments, and civic infrastructure. An administrator appointed by the state government heads the UDHD. The Sikkim Municipal Act, 2007 has approved the formation of Gangtok Municipal Corporation to be made up of 12 wards and which shall take over the administration from the UDHD.[dead link][23]

As the headquarters of

Inspector General of Police oversees the town.[25] Sikkim is known for its very low crime rate.[dead link][26] Rongyek jail in Gangtok is Sikkim's only central jail.[27]

Gangtok is within the

2004 state assembly polls.[28][29]

Utility services

Unplanned urban expansion has strained the city's resources

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.[dead link][9]
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.[

River Teesta, 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 storm water and waste water from the buildings.[dead link][9] The estimated solid waste generated in Gangtok city is approximately 45 tonnes.[dead link][9] Only around 40% of this is collected by UDHD, while the remainder is indiscriminately thrown into Jhora, streets and valleys.[dead link][9] 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.[dead link][9]

Transport

The Teesta River runs along the National Highway 31A connecting Gangtok to Siliguri
Gangtok cable car

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.[32]

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

New Jalpaiguri, a suburb of Siliguri, situated 124 km (77 mi) away from Gangtok. The closest airport is Bagdogra Airport, 16 km (10 mi) from Siliguri. Although Gangtok does not have an airport, it is linked to Bagdogra airport via a daily helicopter service.[33]

Demographics

Gangtok population
YearPop.±%
19512,744—    
19616,848+149.6%
197113,308+94.3%
198136,747+176.1%
199125,024−31.9%
200129,354+17.3%
Population 1951-2001.[dead link][16]
negative growth attributed
to reduction of notified town limits

According to the 2001

Tadong.[dead link][16] Gangtok has an average literacy rate of 69.7%,[dead link][9] higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77.9%, and female literacy is 61.5%.[dead link][9] In Gangtok, about 8% of the population is under 6 years of age.[34] 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.[dead link][35] Of the total urban population of Sikkim, Gangtok Notified Town Area 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.[dead link][9]

Ethnic

Bengalis
.

Muslim minority.[dead link][16] The North East Presbyterian Church, Roman Catholic Church and Anjuman Mosque in Gangtok are places of worship for the religious minorities.[dead link][37] The town has remained secular, having never witnessed any sort of inter-religious strife in its history.[dead link][38][39] Nepali is the most widely spoken language in Sikkim as well as Gangtok.[40] English and Hindi being the official language of Sikkim and India respectively, are also widely spoken and understood in most of Sikkim, particularly in Gangtok.[41][42] Other languages spoken in Gangtok include Bhutia (Sikkimese), Tibetan and Lepcha
.

Culture

Buddhist
statues.

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.[dead link][16][dead link][43]

A popular food in Gangtok is the

whiskey, rum and brandy
are frequently consumed by both locals and non-locals.

Residents of Sikkim are music lovers and it is common to hear

Chhaams are vividly costumed monastic dances performed on ceremonial and festive occasions, especially in the monasteries during the Tibetan new year.[dead link][43]

City institutions

Rumtek Monastery, one of Buddhism's holiest monasteries, located on the outskirts of Gangtok.
Himalayan Black Bear
seen here in the Himalayan Zoological Park.
Temple of the Maharajas, Gangtok. 1938.

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

Dro-dul Chorten is a stupa which was constructed in 1945 by Trulshi Rimpoché, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism.[dead link][37] Inside this stupa are complete set of relics, holy books, and mantras. Surrounding the edifice are 108 Mani Lhakor, or prayer wheels.[dead link][37]
The complex also houses a religious school.

The

Tibetan Buddhist scriptures and religious objects in its reliquary. Constructed in the 1960s, the building is modeled after a similar monastery in Lhasa, Tibet.[citation needed] 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.[46][47]

The

Ganpati and Hanuman and housing important Hindu temples, are located in the upper reaches of the town.[49][50]

The

spotted deer amongst the others.[51] Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Gardens, near Rumtek, houses many species of orchid and as many as fifty different species of tree, including many oaks.[52]

Education

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

Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences and Manipal Institute of Technology.[dead link][9] There are other institutions offering diplomas in Buddhist literature, catering and other non-mainstream fields.[dead link][9] District Institute of Education and Training and State Institute of Education conduct teacher training programs.[dead link][55][56][failed verification] Students usually go to large cities in the vicinity such as Siliguri or Kolkata
in pursuit of higher education.

Media

More than 50 newspapers are published in Sikkim,[

The Times of India, which are printed in Kolkata. Sikkim Herald, the newsweekly of the Government of Sikkim is published in thirteen languages of the state.[dead link][57]

Gangtok has two cinema halls featuring Nepali,

Reliance and Airtel have the three largest cellular networks in the town.[citation needed] There is a Doordarshan TV tower in Gangtok.[60]

References

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    .
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External links

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