Sikkim Biodiversity: Where nature smiles

Monday 10 March 2014

Arundina graminifolia (Bamboo Orchid) - Sikkim Flora

Arundina graminifolia (Bamboo Orchid)

Place : Dalapchand, East Sikkim

Date: May 22, 2011

Pic: Shital Pradhan

Arundina graminifolia also known as bamboo orchid is a species of orchid and the lone species of genus Arundina. It grows in wild and found in different parts of Sikkim.

Wednesday 5 March 2014

Gloriosa superba (flame lily) - Sikkim Flora

Gloriosa superba (flame lily)

Place : Rongli, East Sikkim

Date: May 24, 2011

Pic: Shital Pradhan

Cleome hassleriana (Spider Plant) White inflorescence - Sikkim Flora

Cleome hassleriana (Spider Plant) White inflorescence

Place : Dalapchand, East Sikkim

Date: September 11, 2010

Pic: Shital Pradhan

Cleome hassleriana (Spider Plant) Pink inflorescence - Sikkim Flora

Cleome hassleriana (Spider Plant) Pink inflorescence

Place : Dalapchand, East Sikkim

Date: September 11, 2010

Pic: Shital Pradhan

Monday 3 March 2014

Indotestudo elongata (Elongated tortoise) - Sikkim Reptile

Indotestudo elongata (Elongated tortoise)

Venue: Rhenock, Chalamthang, East Sikkim

Date: June 27, 2011

Pic: DEEPEN PRADHAN, RHENOCK

Indotestudo elongata (Elongated tortoise)

Venue: Rhenock, Chalamthang, East Sikkim

Date: June 27, 2011

Pic: DEEPEN PRADHAN, RHENOCK

In my little knowledge there are two instance that a tortoise was ever recorded in Sikkim. on both ocassion the tortoise was reported to be Indotestudo elongata.

* The first recorded instance was during the last week of July 2008 a little yellow tortoise was found by two labourers woring at the site of a Rock Garden construction, at the base of nearby Tarey Bhir (South Sikkim) on the bank of a seasonal rivulet called Khanni Khola.that was later identified by Usha Lachungpa Sr. Research Officer (WL) identified it as a male Sal Forest Tortoise Indotestudo elongata (Blyth) of the Family Testudinidae.

* The second finding was from Chalamthang near Rhenock (East Sikkim) on June 27, 2011. The yellowish color tortoise weighed around 3.5 to 4 Kg. It was latter taken to Kitam Bird Sanctuary. It was recsued by Mani Kumar Pradhan, resident of Chalamthang. The department confirmed the species as Indotestudo elongata, an endangered species.

This cold-blooded reptile is one of the only four land tortoises found in India. It is legally protected under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as amended up to 2006.