Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary

The Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is a National Park of India, located in East Sikkim. It is situated around the area adjoining the Tsomgo (Changu) lake along the Nathula Road. Located about 31 km east of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, this sanctuary covers an area of about 31 km², and extends from ‘15 Mile’ Police check post up to and along the ridges bordering RongChu and Tsomgo Lake.

This Sanctuary is rich in both flora and fauna. Rare, endangered ground orchids and rhododendrons interspersed among tall junipers and taller silver firs are among the important plants present. Rhododendron Nevium (the State Tree of Sikkim) and Cypripedium tibeticum (the ground slipper orchid) which is on the verge of extinction, have also been introduced here.

References

*cite web|url= http://www.scstsenvis.nic.in/Sikkim%20chapter.pdf|title= Ecodestination of India-Sikkim Chapter|accessdate= 2006-12-01|author= Envis Team|date=2006-06-04|format=PDF|work=Eco-destinations of India |publisher= Envis Centre Sikkim