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RIVERS
 Tista or Teesta is the largest river of Sikkim.
Winding
its way through Sikkim the Teesta river divides the states into two parts.
Teesta can be called as Ganga of the state of Sikkim as most of the Sikkim's
settlements are found along the banks of this river. The Teesta comes out
as a snout from the Zemu glacier above Lachen Gompha. It is
joined by the Lhonk stream from the north. Another stream
Lachung rises from Pauhunri and meets the Teesta at Chumthang. Rangit
is another principle river.
WILD LIFE
Mountain slopes,
foot -hills and valley walls covered with a
variety of dense growth offer a natural habitat for many types of
animals, birds and insects. About 500-600 species of birds and 631
species of butterflies alone are found in this small state. Orchids found in abundance attract several hundreds species
of butterflies which can offer a lepidopterist a lifetime of work and delight.
In forest surrounded valleys the butterflies are found inn swarming numbers .
The black and the dreaded brown bear are mostly found in forests
located at heights ranging from 4,000 feet to 11,000 feet (1250 metres to 3453
metres) above
sea level. Musk deer are quite common in areas with an average
height of 9000feet (about 2800 meters). Tiger, leopard, sambar, barking deer,
leopard cat, marbed cat, squirrel are mostly confined to warmer areas. Yak,
panda, otter, goral, wild bear, ovis, nahura, bhyang-lung (wild sheep )and Vyang-gra (wild goat)
are other animals that can be seen in Sikkim. Otter is
much prized for the brocaded fur caps worn by some Sikkimese. The
tail-less mountain rats, rock Lizards and snow fox like predators are also found
in high altitudes.
Numerous species of birds ranging from gigantic
Imamergeyer to the miniscule flower pecker abound in the forests of
Sikkim and are enough to make this land an Ornithologists paradise. Flamboyant pheasants,
partridges, ducks, quails, teals, eagles, barbet, Himalayan cuckoo, Babblers and Thrushes are some of the birds found
in Sikkim. The Tibetan black crow with rosy feet is also found in
northern Sikkim. The bright red coloured Miniwet known as "Red King" in Nepal has also its habitat in Sikkim.
Crap and Trout fish abound in
the rivers and lakes of the state.
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