Sikkim has 9 PAs or protected areas, from which there is one National Park - Khangchendzonga National Park; seven Wildlife and Bird Sanctuaries viz - Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, Kitam Bird Sanctuary and one conservation reserve as Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve.
Bird or Wildlife Sanctuary Passes
Every year thousands of nature enthusiasts and bird watchers visit these places. Since these places are eco-sensitive zones, all of which are protected and declared IBAs of the state; thus to enter visitors must get proper permits to enter.
Passes are given to individuals as well as to groups; and cover people entrance fees, amenity fees, camera fees, vehicle entry fees, etc. For hiking and walking inside the forest areas, forest guards and trekking guides are a must and are provided by the forest department. A separate fee is charged for the department-appointed guards and guides.
Indian and non-Indian birders are charged separately. Entry Fees, Accommodation Fees, Camera Fees, Tent Pitching Fees, Local Guides, Porter Charges, etc are added up. However, students or researchers visiting for educational and research purposes are waived off. In addition to that, eco-development committee fees, community development fees, and garbage collection fees are also collected in some sanctuaries.
Once an individual birdwatcher or a group of bird watchers for the purpose of birding or bird photography in Sikkim buy passes, it is non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-alterable. Thus the procured pass must be kept safely.
PS: It is important to note that, visitors if found without proper permits in the protected areas by the forest department's patrolling guide or vehicle, would be summoned by law and enforcement order.
Restricted and Protected Area Pass Issuance
- Assistant Director – Tourism Department, Rangpo
- Assistant Director – Tourism Department, Melli
- Assistant Director – Tourism Department, Sikkim Tourism Office Kolkata
- Deputy Secretary/ Under Secretary, Home Department, Kolkata
- Assistant Director – Tourism Department, Sikkim House, New Delhi
- Ministry of Home Affairs – New Delhi
- All Indian Mission Abroad
Please click on this link official link to get more details on this hIssuance of Restricted Area Permit for Sikkim
District-wise Requirement of Restricted Area Permits of domestic and foreign tourists
North District:
- Domestic tourists are allowed along Lachen-axis Thangu, Gaigong, Gurudongmar and along Lachung-axis Yumthang Valley, Yumesamdong, and Zero Point; permits are issued by Gangtok Police Check Post
- Foreign tourists are generally allowed till Singhik through their Inner Line Permits (ILP) upon issuance at Sikkim Entry gate at Rangpo
- Foreign tourists could be allowed along the Lachen axis till Thangu and along Lachung-axis till Yumthang if they have Restricted Area Permits (RAP); permits are issued by Tourism Department and Police check post
- Domestic tourists are allowed for Green Lake trekking; permits are issued by Tourism Department at Gangtok Police Check Post
- Foreign tourists are allowed for Green Lake trekking; permits are issued by the Tourism Department, only when prior permission is granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.
- Domestic and foreign tourists both can visit Dzongu upon issuance of a special permit from Mangan.
East District:
- Domestic tourists are allowed to Tsomgo, Nathu La, and Baba Mandir; permits are issued by Tourism Department and Gangtok Police Check Post
- Domestic tourists are allowed to make a round circuit for Gangtok, Tsomgo, Nathu La, Baba Mandir, Kupup, Gnathang, Zuluk, Phadamchen, and Lingtham; permits are issued by Rongli Police Check Post
- Foreign tourists are allowed from Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake; permits are issued by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department and the Police Check Post.
West District:
- Domestic tourists don't need to produce any RAPs
- Foreign tourists are required to get ILP and PAP-RAP declarations from entry check posts at Sikkim
- Domestic tourists are allowed to trek to Goechala-Dzongri Trek and Singalila-Chiabhanjan Trek; National Park entry permits are required issued by Khangchendzonga National Park Authority at Yuksom, but no permits are required from the Adventure Cell Division of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department of Sikkim. The trekking logistics must be handled by an authorized trekking-hiking Tour Operator from Sikkim
- Foreign tourists are allowed to trek to Goechala-Dzongri Trek and Singalila-Chiabhanjan Trek permits are issued by Khangchendzonga National Park Authority at Yuksom and Adventure Cell Division of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department of Sikkim. The trekking logistics must be handled by an authorized trekking-hiking Tour Operator from Sikkim
South District:
- Domestic tourists don't need to produce any RAPs
- Foreign tourists can visit here with ILP and PAP-RAP declaration is a valid permit issued at entry checkposts at Sikkim
Getting ILP and PAP-RAP
We as registered tour operators of Sikkim would apply for it on your behalf; the following pointers should keep in mind
- For domestic tourists - bring in your address proof as a citizen of India (Passport, Voter Card, Driving License) for every individual
- For foreign tourists - bring your passport and visa documents, to produce upon entry at Sikkim
- Bring in three copies of passport-sized color photos for every individual
- Carry the original Identity proof, which had been submitted for RAP