| Sanction Date: | 15.12.2025 | |||
| Project Category | Category I | |||
| Year | 2025-2026 | |||
| Project Duration | 3 Years | |||
| BTA : | BCM | |||
| Project Site/ State/ Districts/ Villages Covered: |
Sikkim |
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| Organization/ Implementation Agency: | Botanical Survey of India, Sikkim Himalayan Regional Centre, Gangtok, Sikkim 737103 | |||
| Project Partners: | S.No. | Name | ||
| 1. | NA | |||
| Lead Proponent: | Dr. Rajib Gogoi |
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| Project Brief Description: | Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, buffer extreme weather, and support livelihoods. Their conservation is central to Indian policies such as the National Environment Policy (2006), National Water Policy (2012), National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008), National Biodiversity Action Plan (2008, 2014), National Wildlife Action Plan (2017), and the Migratory Birds Action Plan (2018–2023). Wetland protection also advances India’s global commitments under the CBD, CMS, SDGs, and MoEFCC’s National Wetlands Programme. Despite their importance, wetlands remain highly vulnerable to climate change. Sikkim hosts 534 wetlands covering 7,477 ha, dominated by high-altitude lakes (40.8%), including Tso Lhamo, Gurudongmar, Guyum Chonna (North), Tsomgo and Menmechu (East), Lam Pokhari and Lacchmi Pokhari (West), and Khecheopalri (central lowlands). These wetlands, shaped by heavy monsoonal rainfall (200–500 cm annually), are globally significant stopovers along the Central Asian Flyway and part of India’s Key Biodiversity Areas. They provide freshwater, cultural and spiritual value, and tourism opportunities while contributing to SDGs on water (6.6), resilience (1.5), culture (11.4), tourism (8.9), and climate action (13). High-altitude wetlands (HAWs) are biodiversity hotspots with high species richness and endemism, yet plant diversity data for Sikkim’s wetlands remains incomplete. Establishing this baseline is essential for conservation, climate adaptation, and local SDG strategies—since 65% of SDG targets link directly to local governance. Regular monitoring of wetland flora will support evidence-based policy, ecosystem resilience, and community-led management in the Eastern Himalaya. | |||
| Beneficiaries/ Stakeholders: | • State and Central Government. Local People. Researchers, School and College students, Tourists. |
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| Activity Chart (For 3 years) | ||||
| Total Grants (in Rs.) | Rs.1,27,84,640/- (Rupees One Crore Twenty Seven Lakh Eighty Four Thousand Six Hundred Forty Only) | |||
| Project Objectives | Quantifiable Deliverables | Monitoring Indicators |
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• Complete documentation of the floristic diversity of the wetland complexes and the catchment areas. • Study of habitat dependence/endemicity of the species in wetland complexes • Identification of keystone species having major biotic influence in ecosystem sustenance or overall health of the system. • Evaluation of threat status (in accordance with IUCN) of the species which are only confined to HAW areas (Endemic & RET species). • To monitor the disruption in phenological cycles and range shift of the flora due to climate change by comparing the data collected from the project with the herbarium and literature in a historical perspective. • To suggest mitigation measures against the impact of climate change on the high altitude/alpine wetland flora for the researchers and policy makers. |
• Comprehensive floristic inventory of alpine high-altitude wetlands and their catchment zones. • Habitat dependency and endemicity assessment report for key wetland-associated species. • Identification and documentation of keystone species critical to ecosystem functioning. • Threat status evaluation of Endemic & RET species of HAW areas, following IUCN criteria, including prioritized conservation lists. • Mitigation and adaptation guideline document for safeguarding alpine wetland flora under climate change. • Knowledge products: field identification guide, SOPs for long-term monitoring, and policy brief for state authorities. |
• Monitoring in comparison to the baseline information/ data to be provided by the proponent: • No. of species inventoried and proportion with confirmed endemicity. • Keystone species identified and their ecological roles documented. • Threat status assessments completed of Endemic & RET species categorized as per IUCN. • Phenological deviations recorded (flowering/fruiting shifts) and range-shift evidence. • Area and No. of wetland complexes monitored under standardized protocols. • Community or stakeholder engagement events conducted for awareness and conservation. • No. of research papers, technical reports, and policy documents published. |
| S.No. | No. of Sanctioned Post | Salary (Sanctioned) |
| 1. | RA III | @ Rs.67,000/- + 10% HRA |
| 2. | 02 SPF | @ Rs.28,000/- 10% HRA |
| 3. | 02 JPF | @Rs.24,000/- 10% HRA |
| 4. | 02 Field Assistant | @Rs.20,000/- 10% HRA |
| S.No. | Name of Equipment (Sanctioned) | Use of Equipment/ Details | Cost (in INR) |
| 1. | 2 Laptops @₹1 Lakh per unit, 2 GPS @₹0.50 lakh per unit, 3 Digital Cameras DSLR @₹1.5 lakh per Unit, 2 Desktops @₹1.0 lakh per Unit, 2 Go-Pro Cameras @₹0.75 lakh per Unit, 2 Drones @₹1.75 lakh per Unit. | 14,50,000 |
