SIKKIM - STATE ANNUAL PLAN 2001-2002

INTRODUCTION

Sikkim is a small Indian state in the eastern Himalaya, lying between 27⁰ 04^.46 and 28⁰ 07^.48" north latitude and 88⁰ 58" 55^.25" east longitude. It is a unique mountainous state encircled by three different international boundaries. To its west lies Nepal, Bhutan and the Chumbi valley of the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the people’s Republic of China in the east, Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council of West Bengal in the south, and the Tibetan Plateau of the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China in the north. It extends approximately 114 km from north to south and 64 km from east to west with altitude ranging from 300 to 8598 m asl, having 447 villages comprising mainly three ethnic groups namely Lepchas, Bhutia and Nepalese. Mount Khangchendzonga located in Sikkim is the third tallest mountain in the world. Sikkim is a part of upper Teestabasin. The main tributary of the Teesta river is the great rangit river. The State is endowed with wealth of biodiversity comprising of 144 species of mammals, 39 species reptiles, 11 species amphibians, 48 species of fishes, 550 species of birds, 700 species of butterflies and moths and 4500 species of flowering plants, most important and remarkable objected" art among the Sikkim Himalayan floral assemblage is the varied forms of orchids (45 species) and rhododendrons (36 species), which are found within its myriad folds of valleys.

The Census of India 2001 Sikkim provisional figures are as follows;

A. NUMBER OF DISTRICTS   4 B. AREA - 7,096 sq. Km. C. POPULATION       Persons Males Females   540,493 288,217 252,276 D. DECADAL POPULATION GROWTH 1991       Absolute   Percentage   134,036   32.98 E. DENSITY OF POPULATION   76 per sq. Km. F. SEX RATIO   875 Females per 1000 Males G. POPULATION   Percentage   IN AGE. GROUP 0.6   To total     Absolute Population   Persons 77,170 14.28   Males 38,856 13.48   Females 38,314 15.19 H. LITERACY Absolute Rate   Persons 322,828 69.68   Males 191,326 76.73   Females 131,502 61.46

The Approved Plan size is Rs 300.00 crores for Annual Plan 2001-02. Out of this the State Government has kept aside Rs 10.00 crores for retiring debt. The Financing pattern has earmarked Rs 37.98 crpres for PMGSY, Rs 20.00 crores for PMGSY (Rural Roads), Rs 5.72 crores for BADP, Rs 1.10 crores for Stum Development, Rs 1.00 crore for AIBP and Rs 0.48 crores for Roads & Brioges. The NABARD allocation is Rs 5.00 crores and EAP is also Rs 5.00 crores.

The thrust areas of the 9^th Plan has been given due consideration in the Sectoral Allocations comprising of Tourism and its corresponding infrastructure development like Power, Roads & Bridges & Horticulture etc.

Lastly, the Government has prepared Human Development Report and a Vision Document. The Vision Document has critically reviewed the present financial status and has recommended the role of the Government as a facilitator. The goal set forth in the Vision Document for the State is to achieve "an accelerated path of eco-friendly sustainable development with focus on income generation for the youth and the poor". The strategy to achieve the above objective has been clearly laid down and the Government is looking at possibilities to implement the recommendations for sustainable development of the State.