Khecheopalri Wetland
Under review: this entry was added recently and its position is still being checked (approximate (nearest town)).
Loading map…
Overview
Khecheopalri Lake lies near Pelling in West Sikkim, surrounded by forested hills at about 1,700 m.
It is sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus and is known as a 'wishing lake'; it is said that leaves never stay on its surface because birds pick them up. Lepcha and Bhutia communities treat it with great reverence.
It became Sikkim's first Ramsar site, designated in 2024.
Geography and key facts
- Near Pelling, West Sikkim
- Sacred 'wishing lake' for Buddhists and Hindus
- Sikkim's first Ramsar site (2024)
- Forested Himalayan catchment
Why it matters for UPSC
Sacred groves and lakes show the role of local belief in conservation, a theme in GS-1 and GS-3.
Note for UPSC
Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), Sikkim. Placed at the nearest town (Pelling); exact site not found.
Ramsar sites come up as wetland–state pairs and in questions on conservation status.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Khecheopalri Wetland yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Ramsar site
- State / UT
- Sikkim
- Coordinates
- 27.300°N, 88.236°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Forests, Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (map lesson)