Pakyong district is a district in the Indian state of Sikkim, administered from Pakyong.[3] The district was formed in 2021 from three former subdivisions of the East Sikkim district, viz., Pakyong Subdivision, Rangpo Subdivision and Rongli Subdivision. [4] The remaining Gangtok Subdivision of the former district was named as the Gangtok district, which now bounds the Pakyong district in the northwest. In addition, the district is now bounded by the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, Bhutan, and the Namchi district of Sikkim.
Pakyong District | |
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District of Sikkim | |
![]() Pakyong district Location in Sikkim | |
Coordinates: 27°23′N 88°59′E | |
Country | ![]() |
Headquarters | Pakyong |
Government | |
• District magistrate | Mr. Tashi Chopel[1] [2] |
• Lok Sabha constituencies | Sikkim Constituency |
• Vidhan Sabha constituencies | Rhenock, Chujachen, West Pendam, Gnathang Machong and Namcheybong |
Area | |
• Total | 404 km2 (156 sq mi) |
Elevation | 1,120 m (3,670 ft) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 74,583 |
• Density | 180/km2 (480/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+05:30 (IST) |
ISO 3166 code | IN-SK |
Vehicle registration | SK-07 |
Major Highways | NH 717A, NH 10, NH 717B, |
Pakyong District has the total area of 404 km2 (156 sq mi). The total population as per 2011 census is 74,583.[5]
The major highways in Pakyong District are as follows:
The under construction Rangpo railway station lies in Pakyong District at the town of Rangpo.
Pakyong Greenfield Airport the only airport of Sikkim, lies on Pakyong District at the district Headquarter-Pakyong.
Assembly Constituencies falling under Pakyong District are as follows:
The major towns and cities of Pakyong District are
Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Pakyong District. It is connected to Neora Valley National Park of Kalimpong district of North Bengal via thick forest cover in Aritar Rachela region.
Variety of plants and wildlife are found in Pakyong District. The important ones are Red Panda the state animal, Blood pheasant the state bird Dendrobium nobile the state flower and Rhododendron the state tree are found in the wildlife sanctuaries of Pakyong District. Other important wild animals include Snow Leopard, Himalayan black bear, Clouded leopard, Large Indian civet etc.[8] Forest Department, Government of Sikkim has also confirmed the presence of Royal Bengal Tiger in the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary of Pakyong District in January 2019.[9]
River Teesta, the largest river of state flows in Pakyong district from Singtam to Rangpo.
Rangpo River the third largest river of Sikkim originates from Lake Menmecho at Rongli Subdivision of Pakyong District and flows through Pakyong Subdivision and Rongli Subdivision villages and towns of Pakyong District before meeting river Teesta 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.