Forest & Environment Department was established in 1909. The survey and demarcation of
reserve and grazing lands was initiated by the then Crown Prince, Sidkeong Tulku aided by Dillu
Singh Ghale, a Bengal Forest officer on deputation to Sikkim. The State has 5841sqkm (82.31%)
of land recorded as Forest Land with a forest cover of 48.01% (FSI 2023). Till date, the State
Forest & Environment Department have achieved several significant milestones.

1952: First Cadastral survey was carried out to demarcate Revenue and Forest Lands.
1976: Extension of Wildlife protection Act (1972) to Sikkim
1977: Declaration of Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) with an initial area of 850 sqkm.
Later, in 1997 it was extended to 1784 sqkm.
1984: Declaration of Kyongnosla Alpine sanctuary and Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary in
Gangtok District and Shingba Rhododendron sanctuary in Mangan District.
1987: Declaration of Maenam Wildlife sanctuary in Namchi District.
1988: Formulation and adaption of Sikkim Forest, water courses and Road Reserve (Preservation
and Protection) Act, 1988
1997: Ban on use of non-biodegradable materials like plastics, single use plastic, etc
1998: Declaration of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary in West Sikkim.
2000: Declaration of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve with an area of 2619.92 sqkm.
2002: Declaration of Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in East District.
2006: Declaration of Kitam Bird Sanctuary in Namchi District.
2016: Khnagchendzonga National Park inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site list under
“Mixed heritage” site of India.
2019: Launch of “A day for Mother Earth”, an initiative by the Government of Sikkim to raise
environmental awareness and promote conservation.
2022: Ban on sale of packaged drinking water below 2 liters in the State.

2023: (i) State launches the pioneering initiative of “Mero Rukh, Mero Santati” (My Tree, My
child) to commemorate the birth of every child in Sikkim by planting 108 numbers of
saplings.
(ii) State launches “Sikkim Paryavaran Parva” which includes mass Planation drives
involving local communities aiming to leave a green legacy.
2024: State launches a unique initiative of “Mero Bato, Mero Bot” aiming to plant trees along
the roads involving local stakeholders and communities.
2025: Khachoedpalri Wetland to become Sikkim’s first Ramsar Site marking a major
conservation milestone.