Publications
Disseminating Cultural Tapestry of Khangchendzonga National Park through Co-curation
Khangchendzonga National Park, India's first UNESCO mixed World Heritage Site, is renowned for its ecological diversity. However, its cultural richness—embodied by the indigenous Lepcha and Bhutia communities' sacred landscapes, mythological tales, oral traditions, and spiritual practices—remains underrepresented in tourism narratives. This study demonstrates how co-curation can serve as a collaborative approach to define, interpret, sustain, and represent these cultural narratives, bridging the gap between local communities and visitors. Focusing on Yuksom (buffer zone) and Goechala Trek Route (core area), it explores the potential of an Interpretation Centre at Yuksom's entry gate to disseminate the park's cultural value effectively. The research highlights both the benefits and challenges of co-curation, offering a unique framework for integrating cultural heritage into conservation efforts.
An ethnobotanical insight into the healing traditions as strategies for forest conservation of indigenous ethnic communities in the West Sikkim district of the Sikkim Himalayas, India
Indigenous communities in West Sikkim, home to the UNESCO-listed Khangchendzonga National Park, rely on a rich repository of 70 medicinal plant species for treating 31 health conditions. Sacred groves, culturally protected forest patches, play a pivotal role in conserving these plants while reinforcing community-led biodiversity stewardship. The study, conducted through interviews with 218 informants, revealed that herbs dominate traditional remedies, with roots being the most frequently used plant part and decoction the preferred preparation method. Notably, Cordyceps sinensis showed the highest use value (0.96) and Relative Frequency of Citation (1), highlighting its significance in local remedies. The research underscores the importance of preserving traditional medicine and conservation practices like sacred groves to protect cultural heritage and advance future drug discovery.
Effect of Altruistic Surrogacy of Treefall on Herbaceous Flora Colonisation in Subalpine Forest of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim, India
A study on herbaceous flora colonization in the subalpine forests of Khangchendzonga National Park, Eastern Himalayas, reveals that fallen logs and associated pits and mounds play a crucial role in facilitating plant colonization. The research indicates that at least 13.50 trees with diameters of 50 cm or more per 0.25 ha are necessary for successful colonization, with pit colonization being more prevalent than on logs or mounds. Summer species were found to be superior colonizers compared to spring-ephemeral species, and wind-dispersed seeds predominated in the colonization process. The study suggests that including other colonization sites like pits, mounds, and tree stumps could further enhance the altruistic surrogacy of available areas, providing insights into plant survival mechanisms under changing climatic conditions.
Identifying corridors for Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in a part of Eastern Himalayas, India
Research identifies seven critical corridors and five pinch points for Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) movement in Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim, India. These corridors, validated by high model accuracy (AUC: 0.921), connect eight protected areas, with Khangchendzonga and Barsey emerging as highest-quality linkages. The study used MaxENT modeling and Circuitscape, analyzing 65 bear presence locations and 24 environmental variables to map suitable habitats and movement pathways. Pinch points near settlements like Mangan and Dikchu coincide with conflict zones, underscoring the impact of human infrastructure on bear connectivity. The findings highlight the importance of protected areas in maintaining genetic diversity and wildlife movement in fragmented landscapes.
Land use and land cover analysis of cultural World Heritage to inform assessments of climate vulnerability
A systematic analysis of land use and land cover (LULC) data reveals that 10 out of 11 LULC classes are present within or around 49 cultural UNESCO World Heritage properties in the Indian Subcontinent, with tree cover being the most prevalent. This finding underscores the potential of LULC analysis to enhance climate vulnerability assessments for these sites by identifying high-level environmental classifications that can inform decision-making for climate adaptation. The study demonstrates this approach through case studies at Khangchendzonga National Park and other locations, highlighting how LULC data can complement property values described in Statements of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). While the analysis provides valuable insights into broader environmental contexts, it also acknowledges limitations such as classification accuracy concerns and validation challenges across diverse site types. This work supports a parallel thematic approach aimed at streamlining climate impact assessments for World Heritage properties.
Mixed World Heritage Listing at Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim: Heritagization, Institutional Continuity, and the Limits of Nature–Culture Integration
Despite Khangchendzonga National Park's designation as India's first mixed World Heritage Site in 2016, its governance structures remained largely unchanged. A critical analysis of nomination dossiers, management plans, and UNESCO reports revealed that the mixed status was superimposed on existing conservation frameworks rather than transforming them. Three key mechanisms—administrative fragmentation, tokenistic participation, and selective preservation—perpetuate nature-culture divides, with Indigenous narratives mobilized without decision-making authority. Divergent evaluations from IUCN and ICOMOS highlight how UNESCO's institutional architecture reinforces colonial-era governance structures, limiting the integration of nature and culture.
An updated checklist of Thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) of Sikkim
A comprehensive survey of thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) in Khangchendzonga National Park identified 56 species in Sikkim between 2019 and 2022. The study revealed significant diversity within the suborders Tubulifera and Terebrantia, with notable economic pests including Sciothrips cardamomi, Thrips palmi, and Ceratothripoides claratris. Phytophagous species dominated (83%), with 27 phyllophilous and 17 anthophilous forms, while mycophagous and predator species accounted for 13% and 4%, respectively. This updated checklist enhances understanding of thrips biodiversity in this ecologically critical region.
Potential Distribution of the Asiatic Black Bear in Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim Eastern Himalaya using MaxEnt Modeling
A study using MaxEnt modeling reveals that the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) occupies approximately 360.32 km², or 20.19% of the core area in Khangchendzonga National Park, with a strong preference for temperate zones over sub-alpine and alpine regions. Critical factors influencing its distribution include precipitation patterns (driest and wettest months), mean diurnal temperature range, aspect, and land use/land cover (LULC). The research employed sign surveys, camera trapping, and trail monitoring to collect presence-only data, with 15 key environmental variables identified after addressing multicollinearity. The model demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy (mean AUC = 0.941), highlighting significant bear activity in broadleaved forests, coniferous patches, and grasslands. Notably, large distributional areas were predicted outside the core zone, suggesting potential for human-bear interactions in buffer and transition zones. These findings provide actionable insights for conservation planning to mitigate conflicts.
Thrips Fauna of Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim With First Description of Hitherto Unknown Male Smilothrips productus Bhatti
A survey of thrips fauna in Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim Himalaya, revealed 44 species across altitudes ranging from 899 to 2035 meters above sea level. The study, conducted between 2020 and 2021, documented diverse feeding behaviors including phyllophilous (leaf-feeding), anthophilous (flower-visiting), gall-inducing, mycophagous (fungus-feeding), and grass-inhabiting thrips. Notably, the first description of the hitherto unknown male of Smilothrips productus Bhatti was provided, with observations indicating that Indian populations are exclusively macropterous, unlike Chinese forms which include micropterous and brachypterous individuals.
Evaluating the Glacier Change Dynamics Using GI Science
Over the past three decades, glaciers in and around Khangchendzonga National Park—home to Mt. Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak—have retreated at an alarming rate of 1.50 km² per year, losing a total of 43.5 km² (3.45% annually). This rapid deglaciation, mapped using remote sensing data, underscores the accelerating impact of climate change on freshwater resources critical for irrigation, hydropower, and ecosystems in the Brahmaputra basin. The study also identified distinct glacial features such as debris-covered ablation zones, scarp faces, and expanding glacial lakes, providing spatial insights into the region's cryospheric dynamics. These findings highlight the urgent need to monitor high-altitude glaciers as sensitive indicators of global warming.
Maling bamboo (Yushania maling) overdominance alters forest structure and composition in Khangchendzonga landscape, Eastern Himalaya
Research reveals that the overdominance of Maling bamboo (Yushania maling) in Khangchendzonga National Park, part of the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot, significantly alters forest structure and composition. A study across 69 plots (2400–3400 m asl) found that bamboo-dominated areas exhibit markedly lower species richness, density, and seedling density in shrub and herb layers compared to non-bamboo plots. Generalized Additive Models confirmed a strong negative correlation between bamboo density and species diversity (p < 0.0001). These findings underscore the ecological threat posed by Y. maling, necessitating its managed removal for both conservation and economic benefits, such as handicraft production. The study also calls for long-term research to assess impacts on soil dynamics.
Maling bamboo (Yushania maling) overdominance alters forest structure and composition in Khangchendzonga landscape, Eastern Himalaya.
Research reveals that the overdominance of Maling bamboo (Yushania maling) significantly alters forest structure and composition in Singalila National Park, part of the Khangchendzonga Landscape. The study found that areas with high bamboo density exhibit lower species richness, density, and seedling density in shrub and herb layers, indicating a negative impact on biodiversity. Using 69 forest plots across elevations from 2400 to 3400 meters, the team employed Generalized Additive Models (GAM) to quantify these effects, showing a statistically significant decline in species richness and density with increasing bamboo presence (p < 0.0001). The findings underscore the need for managing Y. maling's invasiveness through controlled removal and sustainable utilization to balance ecological and economic benefits. Long-term studies are recommended to further assess its broader impacts on forest ecosystems and soil dynamics.
Rangeland Conservation, Pastoralist Displacement, and Long-term Implications of a Grazing Ban in the Indian Himalaya
A grazing ban implemented in Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim, India, in 1998, led to pastoral evictions between 2000–2002 and had long-term social and ecological implications. Research conducted 15 years after the ban revealed that while powerful pastoralists benefited from conservation policies, weaker sections of the community faced further impoverishment. The study also found that such evictions do not necessarily aid biodiversity conservation but instead foster social conflicts and introduce new conservation challenges. The research assessed eviction processes, documented pastoral responses, and explored perceived ecological outcomes to understand these complex dynamics.
Conservation Policies, Eco-Tourism, and End of Pastoralism in Indian Himalaya?
A critical analysis of conservation policies in Khangchendzonga National Park, India, reveals that the fortress model—combining pastoralist removal and eco-tourism promotion—fails to benefit either biodiversity or local communities. The study found that grazing bans and tourism-driven transitions from traditional yak herding to non-native livestock disrupted pastoral culture, reduced economic stability, and altered vegetation diversity, while increasing human-wildlife conflicts. Using mixed methods (48 interviews, 10 key informant discussions, and two focused group sessions), researchers concluded that current policies prioritize state interests over inclusive development, often harming both society and ecology. The findings underscore the need for trans-boundary conservation planning that integrates pastoralist practices to balance cultural preservation with ecological goals.
Forest Resource Use Pattern in Fringe Villages of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary and Singalila National Park of Khangchendzonga Landscape, India
A high dependence on forest resources (Resource Dependence Index: 0.60) was observed in fringe villages of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary and Singalila National Park within Khangchendzonga Landscape, India, with significant disparities in resource use patterns between villages. While Alnus nepalensis is the preferred fuel species (probability of use: 0.791), Rhododendron arboreum remains underutilized (probability: 0.09). Selective harvesting of preferred medicinal plants and wild edibles, such as Yushania maling, exacerbates pressure on specific plant groups despite their limited availability for broader uses like fuelwood. The study, based on interviews with 233 households and market surveys, highlights a critical gap between resource demand and production, suggesting potential over-extraction from reserve forests. These findings underscore the need for targeted conservation policies to balance ecosystem sustainability with local livelihoods.
Seasonal diets of Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in the Khangchendzonga National Park, Eastern Himalaya India
Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in Khangchendzonga National Park exhibit seasonal diet shifts, with a notable reliance on bamboo during summer and a broader plant-based diet in winter. The study, conducted by Basnett et al. (2021), analyzed fecal samples to identify dietary components across seasons, revealing that bears adapt their foraging strategies to the availability of resources. This research highlights the ecological importance of bamboo in the Eastern Himalayan ecosystem and provides insights into the adaptive behavior of this species within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Assessment of Protected area Management effectiveness of Sikkim, Eastern Himalaya, India
An assessment of protected area management effectiveness in Sikkim, Eastern Himalaya, India, reveals that while the region's protected areas (PAs) perform relatively well in community support, protection, and landscape integration, critical gaps exist in management plans and staff capacity. Using a modified IUCN Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) framework, researchers evaluated eight PAs between 2014-2015, finding an overall average effectiveness score of 55%. Khangchendzonga National Park scored highest at 62.5%, while FambongLho Wildlife Sanctuary scored lowest at 46.67%. Four PAs were rated 'good,' and four 'fair.' The study highlights the need for policy-level reforms to strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts, particularly in addressing management plan quality and field staff capacity.
Buddhist Monastic Trek Circuit Amidst of a Geotourism Landscape: A Study in the Vicinity of Khangchendzonga National Park in India
A study on Khangchendzonga National Park reveals significant potential for sustainable symbiosis between Buddhist tourism and geotourism, leveraging the region's rich natural and cultural heritage. The research highlights how the park's sacred Buddhist landscape can be developed into a geotourism destination while preserving its tangible and intangible values. Using GIS and SWOT analysis, the study evaluates the existing heritages and addresses gaps in sustainable utilization of such landscapes. This approach offers a model for balancing tourism development with cultural and environmental conservation, providing valuable insights for similar regions globally.
Timberline structure and woody taxa regeneration towards treeline along latitudinal gradients in Khangchendzonga National Park, Eastern Himalaya
A study of timberline forests in Khangchendzonga National Park reveals that tree density here is significantly higher than in other parts of the Western Himalayas. The research identified 20 woody species, with Abies densa, Rhododendron lanatum, and Sorbus microphylla dominating 50% of the importance value index (IVI). Notably, Betula utilis, a common treeline species in the region, was absent. Environmental factors such as elevation, slope, and humus were found to influence species composition, while species dominance negatively correlated with diversity and richness. The study also observed irregular spatial patterns of timberline elements, suggesting that upslope advancement is unlikely in the near future, but treeline densification may occur. These findings provide a baseline for understanding timberline dynamics in this critical Himalayan ecosystem.
Developing a Monitoring Programme for Mammals in Himalayan Protected Areas: A case study from Khangchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, India
A comprehensive monitoring programme for mammals in Khangchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, India, was developed using field techniques like trail monitoring, scan counts, camera trapping, and dung counts between 2008-2012. The study confirmed the presence of 42 mammal species, with camera trapping proving most effective for carnivores and solitary ungulates. To detect a 10% annual decline in snow leopard populations with 70% power, 800 effective camera days per year over seven years are required. The estimated cost for detecting significant population changes in mammals ranges from Rs.3,067,000 (US$51,116) over 10-15 years. Regular monitoring of critical habitats and strict patrolling can mitigate negative impacts of anthropogenic activities such as unsupervised livestock grazing and unsustainable resource extraction.
Assessment of Landscape Characteristics and Changes in the Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim Himalaya, India
A significant decline in vegetation cover at lower elevations (1000 to 2500 m) within the Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP), India, has been observed over the past three decades, particularly in areas not protected by buffer forests. This study utilized Remote Sensing and GIS tools, including Landsat ETM+ data, to classify 10 land cover types with 81% accuracy, revealing that snow, rock, and alpine meadows dominate the landscape. FRAGSTATS identified a high number of small patches (mean size 1.2 ha), indicating fragmented landscapes. Watershed-based analysis highlighted regions with greater Himalayan character, marked by high elevation gradients and east-west orientation, while riverine zones were found to be vulnerable to glacial lake outburst floods. The research underscores the need for innovative co-management models, careful utilization of riverine areas, and strengthened buffer zone management to prioritize conservation efforts in high-impact regions.
The Alpine Vegetation of the Khangchendzonga Landscape, Sikkim Himalaya
Alpine vegetation in Khangchendzonga National Park, part of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot, exhibits distinct patterns shaped by rainfall, elevation, and soil conditions. The study identifies 11 alpine vegetation types, including dominant scrub and sedge meadows, with a notable absence of extensive grassy meadows compared to the Western Himalaya. Numerical classification revealed that this region's alpine zone is narrower, more fragmented, and depauperated, contributing to lower alpha species diversity. Environmental gradients were primary determinants of vegetation distribution, highlighting the unique ecological dynamics of this third-highest landscape in the world.
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