Say it with flowers in Sikkim
Kavita Kanan Chandra
The drive to North Sikkim might be a little adventurous as roads in hilly terrain might get inundated with rains or covered with boulders rolling down the hill. However, the gushing waterfalls and the wildflowers sprouting from just anywhere make the scenic drive a memorable experience. Flowers are everywhere in Sikkim and this makes a road journey across the state a beautiful affair.
During spring and summer, the Himalayan foothills are a delightful palette of vibrant hues. The eastern state of Sikkim revels in rich biodiversity and blessed with dense forests, alpine pastures and lush hillsides. There is a splash of colours as wildflowers bloom among them and enliven the scenery.
While travelling in north, stay at the beautiful villages of Lachen and Lachung. Though a drive from Lachen to Gurudongmar lake at the height of 17,800 feet presents a barren landscape and low oxygen but the pristine lake offers a spectacular view. En route to Lachen, the view of Chopta valley covered with blooms look amazing. Next day proceed to Lachung at 9,000 feet. Further onward journey takes one to Yumthang at 11800 feet known as the valley of flowers. The Shingba rhododendron sanctuary here has over 40 species of rhododendrons. Nature is in full splendour during March to May as rhododendrons overshadow the forest with its showy shrubs and gorgeous red, yellow, pink, white, purple and blue blossoms. The forest is ablaze with colours. As you move towards higher elevation in this alpine zone, there are vast green meadows where yaks graze and violet primulas spring up from ground.
The other much sought-after place for rhododendrons is the Barsey rhododendron sanctuary spread over 104 square km in Singalila range of west Sikkim at an altitude of 10,000 feet. The trekking trail is accessible through roads via Hilley, Dentam and Soreng. The trekkers swear by the spectacular bursts of pink and red blooms of rhododendrons during spring. With myriad birds, flowers, fauna like red panda and a dazzling sight of Mt. Kanchenjunga; Barsey is any nature lover’s dream destination.
If blue poppy, primulas and rhododendrons grow in alpine zone, then the fragrant cardiocrinum lily, the colourful orchids and magnificent white blossoms of magnolia campbelli blooms in temperate zone. In the tropical and temperate zone, orchids festoon the forests. There are around 523 orchid species found in Sikkim, making it the state flower. Whether terrestrial or epiphytes, orchid flowers come in varied shapes, sizes and colour.
A lot of botanists and nature lovers have scoured the area collecting and studying the diverse flowering species of Sikkim. One of the most famous British naturalists was Joseph Hooker who surveyed the hilly terrain of Sikkim in mid-19th century and detailed account of his findings could be found in ‘Himalayan Journal’, still considered an authority on eastern Himalayan flora. With lowlands of South Sikkim having tropical climate at 800 feet to temperate zone at above 5000 feet to alpine zone above 11000 feet, Sikkim has luxurious forest due to its range of elevation and humid climate. It has over 4000 species of flowering plants, many of which are rare and endemic to the State only.
Every house looks inviting adorned with flowers in garden, potted plants hanging from railings or displayed in the windowsills. Flowers are everywhere in Sikkim from roadside, greenhouses, nurseries, the famous MG Marg to the footbridges in the bustling capital of Gangtok. A visit to the Flower exhibition centre near the Whitehall complex in Gangtok is a must to see some exquisite and endemic flowers of Sikkim. Alstroemeria, anthurium, bromeliads, dianthus, fuchsia, cineraria, ornamental kale, ornithogalum, pansy and orchids among others attracts hordes of flower lovers.
