Saving Sikkim’s Shangri La
A community in northeast India has fought off the tree-felling, pollution, poaching and tourism
Cheap airline fares and package tours since the 1990s led to a flood of tourists but the consequent decline of the Khangchendzonga national park and biosphere reserve. Over the last 15 years a community effort in Yuksom has fought off the tree-felling, pollution and poaching that were destroying their Shangri La.
From on the northeast borders of the Khangchendzonga biosphere reserve I proceeded southwest to Yuksom in the Ratong Chu valley, the official entry point to the Khangchendzonga national park.
Lorded over by the mighty and most sacred Mount Khangchendzonga, the third highest peak (8,586 metres) in the world, Yuksom at 1,780metres sits comfortably at the ankles of the great mountain, nestled in forests of broad-leaved oak, birch, maple, chestnut, magnolia, rhododendron, silver fir, ash and alder trees.
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