Pakyong district is a district in the Indian state of

Sikkim Sikkim ( ; ) is a States and union territories of India, state in northeastern India. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Koshi Province of Nepal in the west, and West Bengal in the ...

, administered from

Pakyong Pakyong () is a city and district headquarters of Pakyong district in the Indian state of Sikkim, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. Pakyong Airport is the only airport of Sikkim. The "National Research Centre for Orchids" ( ICAR Insti ...

. The district was formed in 2021 from three former subdivisions of the East Sikkim district, viz., Pakyong Subdivision, Rangpo Subdivision and Rongli Subdivision. The remaining Gangtok Subdivision of the former district was named as the

Gangtok district Gangtok District is an administrative district of the Indian States and territories of India, state of Sikkim. It was renamed in 2021 as a result of administrative reorganisation of the state, which also saw three subdivisions of the East Sikki ...

, which now bounds the Pakyong district in the northwest. In addition, the district is now bounded by the Kalimpong district of West Bengal,

Bhutan Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country in South Asia, in the Eastern Himalayas between China to the north and northwest and India to the south and southeast. With a population of over 727,145 and a territory of , ...

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

and the

Namchi district Namchi District is a district of the Indian state of Sikkim. Its headquarters is at Namchi. Geography Namchi district lies at an altitude of 400 to 2000 metres and has a temperate climate for most of the year. Major urban centres include ...

of Sikkim.

Demographics

Pakyong District has the total area of . The total population as per 2011 census is .

Transport

Roadways

The major highways in Pakyong District are as follows: * National Highway 10 connecting

Siliguri Siliguri (, ; ), also known as Shiliguri, is a major Tier ii cities in india, tier-II city in West Bengal. It forms the twin cities, Twin Cities with the neighbouring city of Jalpaiguri. The city spans areas of the Darjeeling district, Darjeel ...

Gangtok Gangtok (, ) is the capital and the most populous city of the Indian state of Sikkim. The seat of East Sikkim district, eponymous district, Gangtok is in the eastern Himalayas, Himalayan range, at an elevation of . The city's population of 100 ...

, lies in Pakyong District from

Rangpo Rangpo is a Municipal town in Pakyong district in the Indian state of Sikkim. The town borders West Bengal's Kalimpong district and is situated along the Teesta river and Rangpo River. It is the first town of Sikkim lying on National Highway ...

Singtam Singtam is a town which lies mostly in Gangtok District and partly in Pakyong District in the Indian state of Sikkim about from the state capital Gangtok. The town lies on the banking of the rivers Teesta and Ranikhola, which join together ju ...

via

Majitar Majitar is the fastest growing urban village in Pakyong District in the Indian state of Sikkim. The nearest towns are Rangpo ( away) and Singtam (). Location It is about above sea level giving it a sub-tropical climate. Majitar lies on the ...

. * National Highway-717A connecting

Bagrakote Bagrakote is a village in the Mal CD block in the Malbazar subdivision of the Jalpaiguri district in the state of West Bengal, India. The main reason behind Bagrakote being called as a Tea Garden is that it was by the virtue of the Duncan Goe ...

, lies in the Pakyong District from Reshi,

Rhenock Rhenock () is a town, just 29 km from Pakyong, Pakyong City in the Pakyong district in Sikkim, India, located on the border with the Kalimpong district of West Bengal. It lies 63 kilometres east of Gangtok, and 47 kilometres north of Kalimpong on ...

to Setipool near

Ranipool Ranipool is a small suburban town located in the bank of river Ranikhola at the junction of National Highway 10 and National Highway 717A in Gangtok District of the Indian state of Sikkim. It is 12 km before from Gangtok capital. It has ...

via

Rorathang Rorathang is a town situated in the bank of Rangpo River on National Highway-717A, in Pakyong District of Sikkim, India. Transport Roadways Rorathang lies on National Highway-717A connecting Bagrakote to Gangtok via Labha- Algarah. Nat ...

and

. * National Highway-717B connecting

and Menla,

Sherathang Sherathang is a town in Gangtok district near the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim, India. The location has been identified as the site for excise, customs and checking for trade between India and China. Rinqingang is the corresponding location in Chin ...

via Zuluk and

Rongli Rongli is a town, in the Pakyong district of the Indian state of Sikkim. It lies on the banks of Rangpo River around from Pakyong city, the district headquarters, and around by road south of the state capital Gangtok. Rongli is also the headq ...

lies mostly in Pakyong District. * Atal Setu Bridge, the longest roadway bridge of sikkim connecting Pakyong District with

Kalimpong district Kalimpong district is a List of districts in India, district in the state of West Bengal, India. In 2017, it was carved out as a separate district to become the 21st district of West Bengal. The district is headquartered at Kalimpong, which g ...

West Bengal West Bengal (; Bengali language, Bengali: , , abbr. WB) is a States and union territories of India, state in the East India, eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabi ...

lies in Pakyong District. Pakyong to Siliguri Bus Service undertaken by SNT

Railway

The under construction Sivok–Rangpo railway line will end in Pakyong District at the town of

. It is planned later to be prolonged to

Airways

Pakyong Greenfield Airport the only airport of Sikkim, lies on Pakyong District at the district Headquarter-

Assembly Constituencies

Assembly Constituencies falling under Pakyong District are as follows: *

Rhenock (Vidhan Sabha constituency) Rhenock is one of the 32 Legislative Assembly constituencies of Sikkim state in India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country ...

Chujachen (Vidhan Sabha constituency) Chujachen is one of the 32 Legislative Assembly constituencies of Sikkim state, in India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest coun ...

West Pendam (Vidhan Sabha constituency) West Pendam is one of the 32 assembly constituencies of Sikkim, a north east state of India. This constituency falls under Sikkim Lok Sabha constituency and lies in Pakyong district. Members of the Legislative Assembly Election results ...

* Gnathang-Machong (Vidhan Sabha constituency) and *

Namchaybong (Vidhan Sabha constituency) Namchaybong is one of the 32 Legislative Assembly constituencies of Sikkim, in India. It is part of Pakyong district. As of 2019, it is represented by Em Prasad Sharma of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (translatio ...

Important Towns and Cities

The major towns and cities of Pakyong District are *

Kumrek Kumrek is an urban village lying on the bank of River Rangpo in Pakyong District in the Indian state of Sikkim. The nearest towns are Rangpo ( away) and Rorathang (). It is about above sea level giving it a sub-tropical climate. Transport K ...

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Landscape of Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary East Sikkim India 13

Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary encompassing an area of in the Pakyong District of the Indian state of Sikkim. It was established in 2002 and includes the hamlets of Aritar, Dakline Lingtam, Phadamchen, Dzuluk, Gnathang M ...

lies in the Pakyong District. It is connected to

Neora Valley National Park Neora Valley National Park is a national park in Kalimpong district, West Bengal, India that was established in 1986. Spread over an area of , it is a rich biological zone in eastern India. It is the land of the red panda in the pristine undisturb ...

North Bengal North Bengal ( , Uttar Banga) is a cross-border cultural–geographic region consisting of the north-western areas of Bangladesh as well as the northern part of the West Bengal state of India. Bounded to the east by the Jamuna and in the south ...

via thick forest cover in Aritar Mulkharka Rachela region. Sumin Reserve Forest and

Saramsa Garden Saramsa Garden, also known as Ipecac Garden, is a public garden close to Ranipool, in Pakyong District, Sikkim, India. Established in 1922, the garden has served a variety of purposes. Initially dedicated to growing fruit for the local colonial ...

also lies in Pakyong District which is rich in varieties of floral plants and fauna. Blue-winged Laughingthrush Pangolakha Sikkim India 30

Flora and fauna

Variety of plants and wildlife are found in Pakyong District. The important ones are

red panda The red panda (''Ailurus fulgens''), also known as the lesser panda, is a small mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It has dense reddish-brown fur with a black belly and legs, white-lined ears, a mostly white muzz ...

the state animal,

blood pheasant The blood pheasant (''Ithaginis cruentus'') or blood partridge is a galliforme bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae and the only species in the genus ''Ithaginis''. It is a relatively small, short-tailed pheasant that is widespread in the lo ...

the state bird

Dendrobium nobile ''Dendrobium nobile'', also known as the noble dendrobium, is a member of the family Orchidaceae. It is one of the most widespread ornamental members of the orchid family. It is the List of Indian state flowers, state flower of the Indian state ...

the state flower and

Rhododendron ''Rhododendron'' (; : ''rhododendra'') is a very large genus of about 1,024 species of woody plants in the Ericaceae, heath family (Ericaceae). They can be either evergreen or deciduous. Most species are native to eastern Asia and the Himalayan ...

the state tree are found in the wildlife sanctuaries of Pakyong District. Other important wild animals include

Snow Leopard The snow leopard (''Panthera uncia'') is a species of large cat in the genus ''Panthera'' of the family Felidae. The species is native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because ...

Himalayan black bear The Himalayan black bear (''Ursus thibetanus laniger'') is a subspecies of the Asian black bear. It is distinguished from '' U. t. thibetanus'' by its longer, thicker fur and smaller, whiter chest mark. The species is considered an ecological ind ...

Clouded leopard The clouded leopard (''Neofelis nebulosa''), also called mainland clouded leopard, is a wild cat inhabiting dense forests from the foothills of the Himalayas through Northeast India and Bhutan to mainland Southeast Asia into South China. It w ...

Large Indian civet The large Indian civet (''Viverra zibetha'') is a viverrid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The global population is thought to be decreasing due to hunting and trapping driven by the deman ...

etc. Forest Department, Government of Sikkim has also confirmed the presence of

Royal Bengal Tiger The Bengal tiger is a population of the '' Panthera tigris tigris'' subspecies and the nominate tiger subspecies. It ranks among the largest wild cats alive today. It is estimated to have been present in the Indian subcontinent since the Late ...

in the

of Pakyong District in January 2019. Blue-fronted Redstart Aritar Sikkim India 7th January 2014

Rivers and Lakes

Rivers

River Teesta Teesta River is a long river that rises in the Pauhunri Mountain of eastern Himalayas, flows through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal and subsequently enters Bangladesh through Rangpur division. In Bangladesh, it merges with Jamuna ...

, the largest river of state flows in Pakyong district from

Rangpo River River Rangpo is a river in the Indian state of Sikkim. A major tributary of the Teesta River, it originates from Menmecho Lake near Dzuluk and flows through Rongli and Pakyong subdivision villages in Pakyong District towards Rorathang, Ku ...

the third largest river of Sikkim originates from

Lake Menmecho Menmecho Lake is a mountain lake located in Gangtok district in the Indian state of Sikkim. It lies on the way to the Jelep Pass and is situated ahead of the Lake Tsomgo. It is the source of the river Rangpo chu, a tributary of the Teesta Ri ...

at Rongli Subdivision of Pakyong District and flows through Pakyong Subdivision and Rongli Subdivision villages and towns of Pakyong District before meeting river

Teesta Teesta River is a long river that rises in the Pauhunri Mountain of eastern Himalayas, flows through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal and subsequently enters Bangladesh through Rangpur division. In Bangladesh, it merges with Jamuna ...

at Rangpo Town. River Jaldhaka which originates near Dzuluk in Pakyong District and flows towards Bhutan, West Bengal and Bangladesh. Other major rivers of Pakyong District are Richu Khola, Rongli Khola, Pachey Khola, Reshi Khola etc.

Lakes

Important lakes of Pakyong District are : * Lampokhari, Aritar * Gnathang Heart Lake * Rangpo Dam lake Below Rolep. * Mulkharka Lake (lies in sikkim-west bengal border).

Sports

Mining Cricket Stadium Sikkim Cricket Ground is a cricket stadium in Rangpo, Pakyong District, Sikkim. It is the official cricket ground of Sikkim that has been leased to Sikkim Cricket Association in 2002 for 20 years by Government of Sikkim. The ground was establ ...

located at

, Pakyong district is the largest cricket stadium of entire Sikkim. The stadium belongs to Sikkim Cricket Association and hosts important cricket tournaments like

Ranji Trophy The Ranji Trophy is a premier domestic first-class cricket championship played in India and organized annually by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The teams representing regional and state cricket associations participate. BCCI ...

CK Nayudu Trophy The Colonel C. K. Nayudu Trophy is a domestic cricket championship played in India between 38 under-23 teams representing various state and regional cricket associations. It is organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and is ...

Cooch Behar Trophy The Cooch Behar Trophy is India's national four-day cricket tournament for under-19 players. It has been held annually since the 1945–46 season. It is run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. History The trophy was donated by, and na ...

Vijay Merchant Trophy Vijay may refer to: People *Vijay (name), people with the name *Vijay (actor) (born 1974), Indian Tamil actor and upcoming politician *Vijay (director) (1936–2020), Indian film director Films * ''Vijay'' (1942 film), a 1942 Indian Hindi film * ...

etc.It is the home ground of

Sikkim cricket team The Sikkim cricket team is a cricket team that represents the state of Sikkim in Indian domestic competitions. In July 2018, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named the team as one of the nine new sides that would compete in domes ...

. Other major sports grounds of Pakyong district are St. Xavier's Football ground - Pakyong, Rongli Mela Ground, Rhenock SSS Ground, Chujachen SSS Ground, Central Pendam SSS Ground etc.

Education

SIKKIM MANIPAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - panoramio

Pakyong District has many educational institutions. Some important ones among them are as follows: *

Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology is a private institute located in Majitar, Pakyong district, Sikkim, India. The institution offers various undergraduate and post-graduate courses in engineering, management, computer application and basi ...

. * Pakim Palatine College, Pakyong. * Government Degree College,

. * Advance Technical Training Centre, Bardang. * Himalayan Pharmacy Institute, Majitar. * Government Industrial Training Institute, Mining. *

National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), formerly known as the DOEACC Society, is a society that offers Information Technology and Electronics training at different levels. It is an autonomous scientific society und ...

Pacheykhani Pacheykhani is a village located in Pakyong tehsil of Pakyong District in Sikkim, India. It is situated from the district headquarters at Pakyong and from the state capital Gangtok. The 2011 Census of India recorded it as having a populat ...

. *

Eklavya Model Residential School Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) is a Government of India scheme for model residential school, specifically for Scheduled Tribes across India. It is one of the flagship interventions of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India ...

, Thekabong. *

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) is a system of central schools for students predominantly from rural areas in India, targeting socially and economically backward students who lack access to accelerated learning due to financial, social and rura ...

Achievements

*Pakyong District of Sikkim achieved the 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐭 𝟕𝟓 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 which were selected for 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐳𝐚𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐲𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝟗𝟎 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧. *Pakyong Police Station of Pakyong in Pakyong District of Sikkim is ranked seventh among the top ten best performing police stations in the country according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India in 2020. * Vivanta Sikkim, a Five Star hotel of Pakyong district wins HICSA best hotel of the year award. * Jetshen Dohna Lama, 9 year old girl from Pakyong, Sikkim won singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs aired on

Zee TV ZEE TV also known as Z TV is an Indian Hindi language general entertainment pay television channel owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises. It was launched on 1 October 1992 as the oldest privately owned television channel in India. History ...

on 22nd January 2022.

Gallery

File:Zuluk at dawn.jpg, Dzuluk, Pakyong District Sikkim File:Landscape of Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary East Sikkim India 13.02.2016.jpg, Diverse flora of

, Pakyong District, Sikkim File:Thambi view point.jpg, Thambi View Point Dzuluk, Pakyong District Sikkim File:Viswa vinayaka.jpg, Viswa Vinayak Temple

, Pakyong District, Sikkim File:Pakyong Airport, Gangtok.png, Pakyong Airport, Pakyong District, Sikkim File:Pakyongsikkim.jpg, Runway at

Pakyong Airport Pakyong Airport is a domestic airport serving Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, India. It has been operationalized under the UDAN Scheme of the Government of India. Spread over , the airport is located at Pakyong, about 31 km (22 m ...

, Pakyong District Sikkim File:Riverteesta.jpg,

Teesta River Teesta River is a long river that rises in the Pauhunri Mountain of eastern Himalayas, flows through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal and subsequently enters Bangladesh through Rangpur division. In Bangladesh, it merges with Jamu ...

near

, Pakyong District Sikkim File:Kanchenjungha from Thambi.jpg, Mt. Kanchenjunga as seen from Thambi View Point, Dzuluk, Pakyong District Sikkim File:Lampokhari.jpg, Lampokhari (lake) of

Aritar Aritar is a region in the Pakyong District under Rongli, Rongli Sub-Division of the Indian state of Sikkim. Geography It is located on the edge of the Himalayas, 67 kilometres from Gangtok, 52 kilometres from Kalimpong, 40 kilometres from P ...

, Pakyong District Sikkim File:Zuluk village.jpg, Zuluk View from Thambi Dara View Point, Pakyong District Sikkim File:Nathang Pano 1.jpg, Gnathang Village Pakyong District Sikkim File:Gnathang Krishna Mandir.jpg, Gnathang Krishna Mandir Pakyong District Sikkim File:Drongo Cuckoo from East Pendam Budang birding area in Sikkim, India.jpg, Drongo Cuckoo in Budang, Pakyong District Sikkim File:Blue-winged Laughingthrush Pangolakha Sikkim India 30.10.2016.jpg, Blue-winged Laughingthrush in Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary Pakyong District Sikkim File:Grey-sided Laughingthrush Pendam East district, Sikkim India 05.07.2018.jpg, Grey-sided Laughingthrush at Pendam, Pakyong District Sikkim File:Silk Route Snow.jpg, Lungthung, Pakyong District Sikkim File:Sunrise from Lungthung view point.jpg, Sunrise from Lungthung View Point, Pakyong District Sikkim File:Aritar, Sikkim, India - panoramio.jpg, Aritar, Pakyong District Sikkim File:Gnathang in winter.jpg, Gnathang Pakyong District Sikkim during Winters

References

{{authority control Districts of Sikkim