Valuing ecosystem services of Sikkim Himalaya: an overview

摘要

Sikkim is a smallest state of India in the eastern Himalayas extending approximately 114kms from North to South and 64 km from East to West having a total geographical area of 7096 sq.kms and a population of 607000 (Census 2011). Sikkim is unique in its geographical location, biological wealth, environmental settings and cultural diversity. The state is surrounded in the North by China, Bhutan in east and Nepal in west and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim is located at 27°4' 46" to 28°7'48"N latitude and 88°58'00" to 88°55'25" longitude at an altitude ranging from 250 m to 8495 m above mean sea level. Climate of the area is Himalayan type. Though the geographical area of the state is very small, yet its contribution in terms of ecosystem services is remarkable. Therefore keeping it in view and considering the Kyoto protocol and Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) now it is the right time to take up certain policies like PES(Payment for ecosystem services) to harness the benefits of ecosystem services of Sikkim Himalaya to the people of the state. Further, the motto "Kyoto Think global and Act local" to combat global warming is to be implemented at local scale. However further research is urgently needed for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the Ecosystem services rendered by the Sikkim Himalayas.