Statehood Day of Sikkim

• 18 May 2020

Why in News

On the Statehood Day of Sikkim (16^th May), the Prime Minister greeted the people of the state and praised the traditions and culture of the state highlighting its contributions to the national progress.

Key Points

• Sikkim is located in the northeastern part of the country, in the eastern Himalayas and is one of the smallest states in India.
• It derives its name from the Limbu (a tribe) words su him, meaning ‘new house’.
• Capital: Gangtok.
• Borders:
  
  • Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and northeast, Bhutan to the southeast, Indian state of West Bengal to the south and Nepal to the west.
  • Sikkim is of great political and strategic importance for India because of its location along several international boundaries.
• History:
  
  • Sikkim became a protectorate of India in 1950 following the Indo-Sikkimese Treaty, with India assuming responsibility for the external relations, defense and strategic communications of Sikkim.
  • Sikkim became the 22^nd state of India on 16^th May 1975, following a statehood demand from the political leaders.
  • The Namgyal dynasty ruled Sikkim until 1975.
• Geography:
  
  • Mount Kanchenjunga, India’s highest peak and the world’s third highest mountain lies in Sikkim.
    
    • The Kanchenjunga National Park (KNP) (established in 1977), near the peak is among the largest of India’s high-elevation conservation areas.
    • KNP was designated a World Heritage Site in 2016 under the ‘mixed’ category (sites containing elements of both natural and cultural significance).
  • Sikkim is drained by the Teesta river and its tributaries such as the Rangit, Lhonak, Talung and Lachung.
    
    • Teesta river water conflict is one of the most contentious issues between India and Bangladesh.
    • Teesta river is a tributary of Brahmaputra river.

Source: PIB