Sikkim
Encompasses Lesser, Central and Tethys Himalaya in just 7,096 sq km — among India's steepest landscapes (about 45° avg slope) with 8,298 m altitude drop in 240 km. 47.59% forest cover with biodiversity-rich alpine, sub-alpine and temperate zones. Faces glacier retreat, GLOF risk and rapid changes in mountain agriculture; 2009 was the warmest year of the century, with Cyclone Aliya (2009) marking a shift in extreme events.
Nodal Department:Department of Environment & Climate Change
5
Missions
80
Activities
30
Indicators
9
Departments
State Profile
Districts
6
Area
7,096 km²
Population
0.61 Million
Region
Northeast
Climate Zones
1
Avg Temperature
15°C
Annual Rainfall
2,739 mm
Forest Cover
47%
Sikkim's Progress on NAPCC Indicators
National Solar Mission · Showing 1 of 1 indicators
Click any indicator to explore detailed year-wise progress
| Indicator | Unit | Current Status | Target by 2030 | Progress | Baseline Year (2021) | Last Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Solar Power Deployment in the country | GW | 150.26 (as of 31.03.2026) | 292 | 51% | 49.35 (as of 31.12.2021) | 1 Dec 2025 |
About Sikkim SAPCC
SAPCC Overview
Sikkim's SAPCC v1.0 was prepared under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), with the Secretary DST chairing the High Level Coordination Committee. Bilateral support came from German International Cooperation (GIZ). The plan is organised through five working groups per PDF p.12: Water; Agriculture and Horticulture; Energy Efficiency; Urban and Rural Habitats; and Forests and Biodiversity — addressing the unique challenges of the Lesser, Central and Tethys Himalayas.
Climate profile
- Spans Lesser, Central and Tethys Himalaya across 7,096 sq km — one of the steepest landscapes in India (about 45° avg slope) with 8,298 m altitude drop in 240 km.
- Annual maximum and minimum temperature trends show warming; 2009 was the warmest year of the century; rainfall trends from ICAR Gangtok and Tadong stations.
- Climate projections for 2030s, 2050s and 2080s show increasing maximum and minimum temperatures and shifting seasonal rainfall patterns.
Climate stress at a glance
- Recorded forest in 2009 covered 3,377 sq km — 47.59% of geographical area (PDF p.17); recorded forest land with tree cover is listed separately at 5,765.1 sq km (PDF p.13). Habitable areas constitute only 20% of state — climate stress concentrates on a small population zone.
- Glacier-fed Teesta and Rangeet rivers drive perennial water and hydropower; warming threatens snowfields/glaciers and downstream ecosystems.
- Cyclone Aliya (2009) marked rising extreme-weather frequency; landslide risk, drought-like conditions and rural-urban migration accelerating.
Sikkim Documents
Sikkim State Action Plan on Climate Change
Department of Environment & Climate Change
Gender Transformative Approach to Livelihoods: A Toolkit
MoEFCC, Government of India — NAPCC 2.0
Guidelines for Floating Solar PV in India
MoEFCC, Government of India — NAPCC 2.0
Global Lessons for India's Adaptation Strategy
GIZ India — NAP/SAPCC