On the brink of the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, has unveiled a groundbreaking City Biodiversity Index (CBI). This comprehensive assessment, developed under the German-supported INTERACT-Bio project by ICLEI South Asia and the Gangtok Municipal Corporation, highlights Gangtok’s commitment to preserving its unique ecological heritage.
The CBI, released in 2020, is structured around three key components: Native Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, and Biodiversity Governance. The report reveals an impressive array of species: 184 bird species, including the Indian Cuckoo and Himalayan Black Bulbul; 674 plant species, such as the Himalayan Silver Fir and East Himalayan Lantern; and 52 butterfly species, including the Paris Peacock and Painted Lady. Additionally, the city hosts 12 reptile species, 48 freshwater fish species, and 30 mammal species.
Emani Kumar, Executive Director of ICLEI South Asia, commented, “Gangtok is leading global biodiversity goals through tools like the CBI, providing a model for urban conservation.” Dr. Monalisa Sen, Senior Programme Coordinator at ICLEI South Asia, emphasized, “The CBI offers an in-depth framework for urban biodiversity management, aligning with national and global sustainability objectives.”
