Khangchendzonga National Park is the only National Park in Sikkim and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Background
Khangchendzonga National Park, the only National Park in the state, is also the UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in July 2016. Within an area of 7096 sq km, the state has 30.77% of forest as protected area. That protected area comprises seven wildlife sanctuaries and one national park, which is highest in the country. Sikkim's land ranges in altitude from 310 m (Jorethang) to 8586m (Mount Khangchendzonga) from MSL. The State lies in the Eastern Himalayas, which is a biodiversity hotspot. There are mainly five forest types in Sikkim, namely Sub Tropical, Moist Mixed Deciduous, Wet Temperate, Conifer and Sub-Alpine forest.
World Heritage status:
UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in July 2016
State area:
7096 sq km
Protected area:
30.77% of forest
Protected area network:
seven wildlife sanctuaries and one national park
Altitude at Jorethang:
310 m (Jorethang)
Altitude at Mount Khangchendzonga:
8586m (Mount Khangchendzonga)
Why it matters for exams: Examiners ask which World Heritage Site lies in Sikkim, and the State's protected-area share and altitude range are standard geography data.
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