Heritage Sikkim

Also known as Chilme in Nepali, the Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) is the State Bird of Sikkim since monarch rule. It is a small fowl bird. This species' name comes from the fact that the males have vivid red coloring on the feathers of the breast, throat and forehead. Females are more uniformly colored with duller shades of reddish-brown. (Pic : Kushel Gurung)

Sikkim is said to be home to 30 per cent of India’s flowering plant species. Among the 40 different Rhododendron found in Sikkim, Rhododendron niveum Hook. f. is the State Tree of Sikkim. Identified with its deep magneta colour, the species is an evergreen shrub. It is locally called Hiupatae gurans. The best blooming season is April-May.

On August 26, 2021, the Government of Sikkim designated Neolissochilus Hexagonolepis, often known as Chocolate or Copper Mahseer and locally known as Katley, as a State Fish of Sikkim. The goal of the programme was to emphasise the importance of the fish and conservation efforts. Its greatest length is 120.0 centimetres (3.937 feet), and its maximum weight is 11.0 kilogrammes.

Sikkim was polled to decide the state butterfly of Sikkim and yes the people have chosen Duke Blue Duke as a state pride. In a first of its kind of citizen poll, Blue Duke received 57 % vote edging past Krishna Peacock who received 43 %. Apart from public voting, the Forest Department of Sikkim had an expert committee of 11 members giving 6-5 votes for Blue Duke. Both the two finalists were shortlisted from 720 entries. Re-discovered in 2012 (Moore, 1858) at Tadong, Gangtok by Nosang Limboo, butterfly man of Sikkim, had initiated the proposal to come up with a state butterfly concept to the state government. Bassarona durga as it is generically called belongs to the Bassarona genus and the Nymphaliedia family is a four-footed butterfly. PS Golay, the Chief Minister of Sikkim officially announced Blue Duke as the state butterfly on the occasion of the world environment day event held at Saramsa on June 6, 2022. FOR MORE CLICK   SIKKIM BUTTERFLIES