Landscape Assessment

of Sikkim Region
Summer School 2015

Prof. Dr. Deepa Maheshwari

Ms Divya Shah
Mr Sandip Patil
Mr Tapan Modi
Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Introduction
Gangtok is the base for tourists travelling to Sikkim. The city is growing
exponentially due to increase in tourist infrastructure in the recent years,
especially towards the south (towards New Jalpaiguri).
The unique natural landscape of the region is under threat due to uncontrolled
development activity. It is important to assess and identify the various
landscape typologies of the region in order to conserve them.
The landscape character assessment study shall identify the important and
scenic landscapes of the region through visual mapping techniques, and
provide guidelines for conservation.

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Introduction
A base line study at the campus shall provide basic understanding of the
region and its landscape typologies, along with introductory lectures on visual
character assessment techniques.
On site, students shall be divided into groups and conduct visual assessment
surveys for the entire region. Baseline documentation of the region shall be
collected for study & documentation.
Upon return to the campus, students shall organize the various landscape
typologies into groups using visual assessment tools and develop a
comprehensive visual landscape character assessment document.
Students shall document above information in three formats - an A3 sized
print document, a powerpoint presentation, and display sheets of A1 size.
Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Schedule
11-05-2015 to 15-05-2015 - Introduction, baseline study & document
acquisition at CEPT 10:30 - 13:30 daily
16-05-2015 to 19-05-2015 - travel to Gangtok via train
20-05-2015 to 26-05-2015 - visual surveys & document acquisition (Average
8 contact hours / day) 09:00 - 19:00 daily
27-05-2015 to 30-05-2015 - travel back to Ahmedabad by train
01-06-2015 to 06-06-2015 - data organization & document creation (Average
5 contact hours / day) 08:30 - 13:30 daily

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Schedule
11th May 2015 Mon - Introduction to study & region, Visual assessment
lecture (Sandip) & sampling within CEPT, discussions with student groups,
announcement & discussions on base maps preparation group wise, contact
govt offices & initiate discussion on map / data collection group wise
12th May 2015 Tue - floristic mapping lecture (Prof. Deepa) & sampling within
CEPT, discussions with student groups, review of previous days sampling
13th May 2015 Wed - mapping of urban areas (Divya) & sampling within city,
discussions with student groups, review of previous days sampling

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Schedule
14th may 2015 Thu - review of previous days sampling, discussions with
students groups
15th may 2015 Fri - student presentation on base maps, preliminary regional
understanding, standard assessment toolkit & sheets, students shall take 2
copies of full size prints of all work to Gangtok, as well as small sheets
common to each group as required

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Schedule
20 May 2015 Wed- study of Gangtok town & base maps collection
21 May 2015 Thu - study of Rumtek & its surroundings & base maps
collection
22 May 2015 Fri - study of Sikkim Zoo & base maps collection
23 May 2015 Sat - study of Tashi Viewpoint & nearby waterfall
24 May 2015 Sun - discussion day, review of previous days works / edits
given till lunch, day free after lunch
25 May 2015 Mon - trip to & study of Nathu La & Tsongmo lake
26 May 2015 Tue - final review of all works, time to revisit places above if
missed anything

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Schedule
1 June 2015 Mon - review of all work, data & drawings, collating data &
surveys, faculty members to distribute groups within themselves
2 June 2015 Tue - lecture on documentation methodology, format discussion,
discussion with each group
3 June 2015 Wed - allocation of each place to one group, documentation
review
4 June 2015 Thu - pre final review
5 June 2015 Fri - general discussions & queries
6 June 2015 Sat - final pin up review & submission of complied document

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Notes to Students

Students are responsible for their own safety, finances & comfort. You are
also responsible for your own travel & stay arrangements. Please behave in a
civil & courteous manner with others, do not shout or create ruckus. Please
carry a government approved identification with you at all times. You should
also carry bonafide & information request letters provided from CEPT
University. Food shall be managed by students on their own as per
convenience. Two half days are allocated for students personal travel /
errands. Schedule shall be strictly followed on all days.
Sandip - 9537938015, temporary BSNL - 9426319510
Tapan - 9913931580
Place of Stay - Tashi Thendup Hotel (room no to be provided later), MG Road

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Notes to Students
Eastern India has early sunrise & sunset. A typical working day shall start at
07:00, students are expected to meet at allocated meeting point by 7:00.
Breakfast shall be on way as available. In addition each student is expected to
pack light food. Excursions shall be done together, while local trips shall be
allocated by faculty members to each group. Visit shall be finished by 16:00
hours, except if excursion is longer. Students shall gather back at 18:00 hours
for review of days work, and instructions for next days work. Each student is
expected to undertake two activities - collection of data / maps from
government / other organizations for relevant group data, visual assessment,
sketches (plan, section, views) & photography of place visited. Each student
shall summarize days work each evening.
Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Site Assessment
Assessment for each landscape area 1.Make a proportionate sketch map using google base, site measurements
(measured on foot is fine) & visual understanding
2.Photo documentation of entire site with locations marked on plan including
human activities, if any
3.Make sketches of important views & individual elements (natural or manmade)
4.Conduct a landscape character assessment of the site providing a valuation
5.Make an abstract sketch of the site that presents the qualities of the site
6.Note down a SWOT analysis of the site

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Selected Sites
Gangtok City
M G Road Commercial Area
Any one residential area
Any one institutional area
Fringes
Gangtok Zoo
Rumtek Monastery & surroundings
Tashi Viewpoint & waterfall
Tsongmo Lake & if possibe (permits required) Nathu la
PHOTOGRAPHY IS RESTRICTED IN SOME AREAS. PLEASE FOLLOW
RULES
Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Introduction - Sikkim

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Introduction - Sikkim
Sikkim is one of the north-eastern states of
India, well known for its scenic beauty &
related tourism. Sikkim is sandwiched
between Nepal to West, Tibet to North &
Bhutan to East. A large part of northern
Sikkim is inaccessible for most parts of the
year, which is also a part of the
Khangchendzonga National Park shared
between Nepal & India.
Sikkim, with an area of 7,000 sq km has a
population of just 6,10,000 (2011 Census). It
is a largely agricultural economy with its main
export being cardamom. Terrace farming is
practised in South Sikkim, which falls in the
lower Himalayas. There is no working airport
or railhead in the entire state. The nearest
railhead of New Jalpaiguri & airport of
Bagdogra are connected via NH-15 to
Gangtok and rest of Sikkim.
Sikkim is blessed with adequate water
resources from river Teesta on which
numerous dams & hydel power stations are
located, but the agricultural productivity is low
due to poor soils & hilly terrain. Lately,
tourism is becoming the main economy of
Sikkim.
Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Introduction - Gangtok
Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is home to
15% of the state's population, situated at
1,650 mamsl. Gangtok is the base for
tourists travelling to Sikkim.
The city is growing exponentially due to
increase in tourist infrastructure in the
recent years, especially towards the south
(towards New Jalpaiguri).
Gangtok lies on a hill ridge with two rivers
running to east & west of the hill in northsouth direction.
Number of tourists arriving in Sikkim has
increased from 3.5 lacs in 2005 to 6 lacs
in 2013-14, equal to the state's
population.
The main economy of Gangtok being
tourism, most of the infrastructure &
development is geared in that direction.

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Introduction - Brief
The unique natural landscape of the region is
under threat due to uncontrolled development
activity. It is important to assess and identify the
various landscape typologies of the region in
order to conserve them. The landscape character
assessment study shall identify the important and
scenic landscapes of the region through visual
mapping techniques, and provide guidelines for
conservation.
A base line study at the campus shall provide
basic understanding of the region and its
landscape typologies, along with introductory
lectures on visual character assessment
techniques. On site, students shall be divided
into groups and conduct visual assessment
surveys for the entire region. Baseline
documentation of the region shall be collected for
study & documentation.
Upon return to the campus, students shall
organize the various landscape typologies into
groups using visual assessment tools and
develop a comprehensive visual landscape
character assessment document. Students shall
document above information in three formats - an
A3 sized print document, a powerpoint
presentation, and display sheets of A1 size.
Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Climate

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Geology

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Rock Types & Minerals

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Population Distribution

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Watersheds

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Teesta River Basin

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Introduction - Sikkim

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Soils

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Topography & Slopes

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Land Use

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Introduction - Sikkim

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Introduction - Sikkim

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Forest Types

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Protected Areas

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Introduction - Sikkim

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Introduction - Sikkim

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Transport Networks

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Toposheet

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Toposheet

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Satellite Image
City is developed on a hill ridge with
two river valleys each to east &
west.
Highway from West Bengal (to
south) is main entry to city.
There is a protected area to north of
city
Population is 98,000 (2011 Census)
MG Road running east-west is main
road in the city
Rumtek monastery is to south of
city

Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Issues
1. Super Regional - only to understand topography and tourist links
2. Regional level - south sikkim, all layers, quantification, overlays and imp tourist spots and ppl rate
3. Sikkim town level(mastet plan, watershed)
4. Floating ppl, Tourism and residential schools / colleges
5. Find population projection tourist and normal for 50 yrs
6. Dependance on natural resources, agriculture
7. Resorts in valley, construction
8. Economical study of state, comparison between tourism and local occupation.
9. Inpult lecture on evaluation on natural resources
10.Input lecture on development of town, history of gantok, construction techniques.
Data to be searched on site
1. Ppl, Development Plan, Agricultural Pattern, Local Occupation, Imp flora and fauna, Dependance of
resources water and food, waste water management, solid waste management,
2. Forest Department, Water Department and Town planning department
References
1. Theis to be referred - Shimla, Mt Abu, Saputara, Pavagadh (Lajja), Kumbalgadh (Jobin)
Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Study Groups
1. Natural Resources (4)
Mathew, Joyita, Suchi, Chaitali
1.1. Soil
1.2. Geology
1.3. Topography & Slopes
1.4. Climate
2. Water Resources - (3)
Akash, Sneha , Prachi
2.1. Ground water
2.2 Rivers & Catchments, Lakes, Dams (data and
calculations)
3. Forest - (2)
Amrita, Divyajyoti, Shivansh
3.1. Flora
3.2. Fauna

6. City Development (3)

Brinda, Shreedevi, Khushboo
6.1 City Expansion
6.2 City History
6.3 Development Plan
7. Regional level landuse and infrastructure
(Base Drawings) (2)
Ramya, Janki
8. Visual Assessment & Literature Studies (3)
Anirban, Salonee, Jyotsna
8.1 Visual Assessment of sub-region
8.2 Literature studies

4. Tourism - (4) including site assessment

Vishal, Dishin, Sandesh
4.1. City level
4.2. Regional level
5. Society (3)
Sampada, Brijesh, Bhagyashri
5.1. Society & Culture including regional history
5.2. Census and occupation
5.3 Agriculture & Plantation
Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region

Thank You
Summer School 2015

Prof. Dr. Deepa Maheshwari

Ms Divya Shah
Mr Sandip Patil
Mr Tapan Modi
Summer School 2015

Landscape Assessment of Gangtok Region