Barsey-Singalila

Location: The Barsey-Singalila site covers parts of West Sikkim and the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, bordering Nepal. It includes parts of Singalila National Park and Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary.

Climate: The Barsey-Singalila site ranges from 1800m to 3685m elevation and includes subtropical to sub-alpine climate zones.

Villages: Villages in this site include Khopi-Ramitey, lower Ribdi, upper Ribdi, lower Bhareng and upper Bhareng (West Sikkim) and Gorkhey, Samanden and Raman (Darjeeling district, West Bengal).

Culture: Culture: The Barsey-Singalila site has a unique mix of Nepali and indigenous (Lepcha) culture. The primary language spoken across the site is Nepali.

Biodiversity

Floral Diversity:

Quersucs lamellosa, Castanopsis indica, Rhododendron arboreum, Abies densa  are the most dominant trees species.  Berberis aristata, Aconogonum molle, Rubus ellipticus, Daphne cannabina and Cissuse longataare  the most dominant shrub species. The herb species include,  Iris decora, Rubia cordifolia, Eragrostis spp., Drymeria cordata, Hemiphragma heterophyllum, Viola bicolor, Anaphalis contorta, Anaphalis margaritacea, Fragaria nubicola, Rubus spp. and  Cautley spicata, are the most dominant. Aconitum ferox, Bergenia ciliata, Heracleum wallichi, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Listea citrata, Picrorhiza kurrooa and Swertia chiraytia are the important medicinal plants.

Faunal Diversity:

Red panda (Ailurus fulgen), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula flavigula), Common Plam Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), Goral (Nemorhaedus goral), Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Himalayan Asiatic black Bear (Ursus thibetanus), Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus), Crestless Porcupine (Hysrix brachyura), Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Himalayan Mouse Hare (Ochotona sp.) and uncomfirmed records of Tibetan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco).

Agrobiodiversity: Major crops include maize, green peas, squash, beans, radish, spinach, cabbage, pumpkin, bitter gourd and carrots. Gorkhey and Ribdi-Bhareng villages are famous for cultivating the best quality Potatoes in the Khangchendzonga Landscape, India. Common livestock includes hens, cows, horses and goats. Horses are often used for transporting local goods.