Ex-Situ Conservation Of Biodiversity

Existing ex-situ biodiversity conservation and propagation facilities include all deer, bird, and butterfly parks, memorial and state parks, commercial nurseries, and hatcheries. Thus, Sikkim has a diverse set of locally-initiated activities conducted by various stakeholders on ex-situ biodiversity conservation and facilities for species propagation. Thus, the Project will focus on strengthening ex-situ biodiversity conservation to maximize the population viability of endangered species. At the same time, it will need to invite the public for active participation in ex-situ conservation activities, as the state?s financial constraints have thus far hindered the sustainable operation and maintenance of these initiatives. Specifically, the Project will support the Forest Department?s plans to establish a butterfly park through public and private partnerships or Society Mode. Under the management of the private sector, these parks will be expected to become popular attractions for potential visitors who are willing to pay for the biodiversity experience. In addition, this subcomponent will include infrastructure development at the Himalaya Zoological Park at Bulbuley, Gangtok.

Construction and Establishment of a Butterfly Park 
The Project will extend its support to the establishment and sustainable management of a butterfly park to promote the ex-situ conservation of biodiversity and public awareness. For the sustainable management and maintenance of the park, the public and private partnership model or Society Mode will be applied to promote the user-pay concept. Unique attractions will be strongly marketed by the Ecotourism Marketing Cell (EMC) established under the PMU. Prior to providing support, the feasibility of park management will be assessed through the examination of the current construction plan, management moderates, financial needs, expected number and types of visitors, fee strategies, methods of outsourcing, and terms of contracts with management organizations. The concept of the butterfly park has been developed since the late 1990?s by the Forest Department. The objectives of the park are to promote 
  • environmental and ecological conservation, 
  • ecological research, 
  • education and awareness, 
  • tourism and recreation, and 
  • aesthetic experience. 

A detailed construction plan was developed in 2007, and a partial budget for construction was allocated in 2008. One seventh of the financial requirements have been released by the Government, and the facility is currently under construction. The JICA Mission explained that in case of Local Competitive Bidding (LCB), JICA funds are available for the payments on the progress of works after the signing of the Loan Agreement (in case of International Competitive Bidding (ICB), bidding already completed is not approved as eligible portion). The park is on the main road connecting Gangtok and Mangan at about 30km from Mangan facing to the State Highway, a location that should be attractive to visitors. The planned park will cover a 15ha area with 50ha for the buffer zone and consist of four zones: 
  • the tourist zone, 
  • the core zone, 
  • the research and administrative zone, and 
  • the buffer zone

Construction and Establishment of a Bird Park
There is a plan to establish a bird park in Rabdentse in West Sikkim on the State Highway between Geyzing and Pelling. It is about 10km from Pelling and 100km from Gangtok. The planned park will have a 19ha area with 50ha for the buffer zone and will consist of four zones:
The proposed site is 
  • the tourist zone, 
  • the core zone, 
  • the research and administrative zone, and 
  • the buffer zone (FEWMD, 2008).

The objectives of the park are to promote 
  • environmental and ecological conservation, 
  • ecological research, 
  • education and awareness, 
  • tourism and recreation, and 
  • aesthetic experience. 

A partial budget for construction was allocated in 2008, and two-thirds of financial requirements are currently approved by the Government. However, regarding the bird park in Rabdentse in West Sikkim or at Zoological Park in Gangtok, the environmental impact assessment as well as the O&M examination, demand-forecast etc. have not yet fully conducted. In this connection, necessary study will be supported under the Project, and if it observed to be feasible, utilization of the contingency fund, if any, could be an option for supporting construction of the above mentioned bird parks, with the prior concurrence of JICA India Office.


Creation and Management of Propagation Nursery
Propagation nurseries will be created in lowland and highland areas, respectively, for the purpose of ex-situ conservation and dissemination of important indigenous plant species for cultivation, multiplication, and trading. The nurseries will be used to propagate rare and endangered plant species, difficult-to-propagate species, and species with high medicinal and economic values. For indigenous plants with high ornamental values such as wild orchid, primulas, rhododendrons, and other wild flower species, a floricultural propagation nursery will be created in Gangtok. 


Construction of Main Office Building of Himalayan Zoological Park and Veterinary Care Facility
The Project will seek to enhance the functions of the Himalayan Zoological Park, which is the largest ex-situ conservation facility in Sikkim. Although the park has succeeded in breeding the red panda and in other significant ex-situ conservation functions since its establishment in 1997, its publicity activities and the quality of ex-situ conservation have been constrained by the limited extent of its facilities. The Project will extend support by providing funds to expand its facilities. One main office building and a veterinary care facility as well as a Biodiversity Conservation Center will be built to support the management team of the Himalayan Zoological Garden. Furthermore, for the protection of the wild animals, a rescue center and some other equipments will be also established at this zoological park in accordance with the master plan of the zoological park.