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TOURISM
Tourism is considered as the backbone of Sikkim's economy. It
has brought economic prosperity in Sikkim. With the salubrious climate,
the natural beauty and the fine cultural heritage of Sikkim, the
growth of tourism has immense possibilities. There are large number
of places of tourist attraction particularly the snow clad mountains,
the lakes and unspoiled forest areas and valleys of flowers. The
advantage of having very fine monasteries in Sikkim can also be
taken to attract Buddhist tourists from countries like Japan and
the South Eastern countries.
AGRICULTURE
Other than Gangtok, the capital and largest town of Sikkim with
a population of 30,000, people live in scattered villages and settlements
with agriculture and related activities as the mainstay of the people.
Other towns include Singtam, Rongphu, Jorthang, Nayabazar, Mangan,
Gyalshing, and Namchi.
Maize, rice, wheat, and barley are cultivated
in terraced hillsides. Beans, potatoes, vegetables, fruits and tea
are grown. Sikkim is one of the world's main producers of cardamom.
There are in all 689 enterprises that have been
identified, which are mostly concentrated in rural areas. Tea is
exported to Russia & Germany. A coffee plantation has also been
started at Majitar. Sikkimese economy broadly depends on the agriculture
that provides livelihood to the majority of population in the state.
However, it's progress remained limited due to difficult topography
and other natural barriers.
 HORTICULTURE
Horticulture is one of the major
economic activities of the people of Sikkim. Large Cardamom, ginger
and turmeric are the principal crops while Mandarin orange, guava,
mango, banana and so on are the principal fruits grown in the state.
Sikkim is also a paradise for flowers. Gladioli, anthuriums, lilliums,
primulas, rhododendrons, orchids as well as many other floral species
thrive here. The state is home to an amazing 450 species of exotic
orchids alone. There is immense potential for developing floriculture
on a commercial basis here.
 LIVESTOCK
While yaks and sheep are popular
in the higher elevations, other livestock that are tended include
cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and poultry. In a predominantly rural
economy such as Sikkim, animal husbandry activities form an extremely
important element in the effort to bring about substantial improvements
in living standards.
FOREST
Forest is one of the richest natural resources of Sikkim. The
total land area managed by and under administrative control of Forest
Department is above 80% of the total geographical area of the state.
Sikkim has a unique Bio-Diversity. The composition ranges from tropical
Dry Deciduous Forests with Sal and its associates in the valleys
of Teesta and Rangit to the Alpine Scrub and Grasslands in high
altitudes.During the two last decades Forest Department has laid
emphasis on development of fodder and fuelwood in the agriculture
fallow lands of the villagers giving priority to plantation of broom
grass for fodder and for economic upliftment of the villagers. This
year, the target for afforestation under 20-Point program is 11,000
hectares of which Forest Department has achieved over 8,000 ha.
by plantation.
MINING
Copper, lead, zinc, coal, graphite, and limestone are among
the minerals found in the state, though not all are commercially
exploited. The state of Sikkim is endowed with rich geological resources.
The department of mines and geology has been responsible for exploration
and establishment of mineral resources, with the object of developing
commercially exploitable mineral resources. A fair amount of success
has been achieved during the investigation carried out by different
agencies in certain sectors namely dolomite, coal, quartzite, graphite,
lime stone, silliminite, talc, mineral water, thermal springs, building
stone and materials for porcelain.
INDUSTRIES
Until the early 1970' s, Sikkim had only cottage industries with
carpets, blankets and traditional hand-woven textiles, woodcarving
and scroll paintings and embroidery. Some small-scale industries
have been set up, including a distillery, a fruit canning and bottling
factory and a tea- processing factory.
The framework in regard to industrialization in
Sikkim had to be formulated keeping in mind the particular factors
endowments that the state had with regards to resources, particularly,
minerals and industrial raw materials as well as manpower. The state
is not so rich in mineral resources and apart from the deposits
of copper, lead and zinc, no other viable and exploitable mineral
deposits have so far been discovered. In regard to industrial development,
a number of small and medium units have been promoted in the state.
POWER
The innumerable streams and rivers flowing down the Himalayas
have provided Sikkim with an immense potential for development of
Hydro Electric Power. The demand for power increased with the increase
in the population.
In the VII Plan the two Hydel Projects namely
Rimbi Stage II and Rongnichu Stage II were completed along with
the Lachen Micro Hydel Project. Above all, Sikkim Government, extended
a total number of 3000 free connections under the scheme of extending
two point free domestic connections to the poor masses and provided
electrification to all the district headquarters, towns and 90%
of the total revenue blocks. Sikkim stood first in rank along with
12 States in the centpercent village electified.
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