Sikkim Designates Tungkyong Dho (Lake) as New Biodiversity Heritage Site

The Government of Sikkim, through its Forest and Environment Department, issued a significant notification on May 29, 2023, formally designating the Tungkyong Dho (Lake) area as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). This official declaration, Notification No. 18/GOS/FED/SECY, was subsequently published in the Sikkim Government Gazette on June 2, 2023, bringing it into immediate effect. The notification was issued in exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-section (1) of Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (No. 18 of 2003), following consultation with the Sikkim Biodiversity Board (SBB). The primary reason for this issuance is to protect and conserve areas of unique biological importance within the state.

The newly designated Tungkyong Dho (Lake) Biodiversity Heritage Site is located under the Hee-Gyathang Gram Panchayat Unit in Dzongu, North Sikkim. The notification precisely demarcates the site, specifying an area of 0.0650 hectares and providing detailed geographical coordinates (P1 through P17) that outline its perimeter. The boundaries of the site have been clearly defined: the East is bordered by Hee-Gyathang Road, the West and North by private holdings, and the South again by Hee-Gyathang Road. A crucial aspect of this designation is the establishment of a management framework. The Hee-Gyathang Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) has been entrusted with the responsibility for the management of this BHS. This committee will operate under the guidance of the Sikkim Biodiversity Board and is mandated to manage the site in accordance with the guidelines for identification, notification, and management of Biodiversity Heritage Sites issued by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). The legislation provided: “...the state Government in consultation with the Sikkim Biodiversity Board (SBB), hereby notifies the designated area under Hee-Gyathang Gram Panchayat Unit, Dzongu, North Sikkim as Tungkyong Dho (Lake) Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS)...” This action ensures that the unique ecological characteristics of Tungkyong Dho (Lake) receive formal recognition and protection under national law.

This notification reflects the legislative intent to safeguard specific ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity or hold significant ecological value, aligning with the broader policy rationale of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Prior to this notification, the Tungkyong Dho (Lake) area, despite its ecological significance, did not possess a formal protected status as a Biodiversity Heritage Site. The designation addresses this statutory gap by providing a legal framework for its conservation. It introduces new obligations for local governance bodies, particularly the Hee-Gyathang Biodiversity Management Committee, to actively manage and preserve the site. The enforcement mechanism is clearly outlined, with the BMC being accountable to the Sikkim Biodiversity Board and adhering to national guidelines. This move is expected to contribute significantly to the conservation efforts in Sikkim, ensuring the long-term ecological integrity of the Tungkyong Dho (Lake) and its surrounding environment.

Keywords: Sikkim, Biodiversity Heritage Site, Tungkyong Dho Lake, Biological Diversity Act, Forest and Environment Department, Hee-Gyathang, Dzongu, North Sikkim, Biodiversity Management Committee, Conservation Geo Tags: India, Sikkim District: Mangan District