This is one of the prime alpine sanctuaries managed by the Forest Department. Located at a distance of 36km from Gangtok, this highland sanctuary supports a fascinating array of rhododendrons, primroses, poppies and a variety of wild flowers. If you are a nature enthusiast, a visit to the Kyangnosla Alpine Sanctuary would be one of your major highlights. The sanctuary is spread over 400 hectares adjacent to the famous Tsomgo Lake.
The sanctuary is rich both in flora and fauna. Rare, endangered ground orchids and rhododendrons interspersed among tall junipers and taller silver firs are among the important plants present. Rhododendron nevium the State Tree of Sikkim and Cypripedium tibeticum the ground slipper orchid on the verge of extinction have been introduced here.
The area is snow covered often upto May and this is a treat for visitors coming from the hot plains of India. We also find the Himalayan Black Bear, Musk Deer, Blood Pheasant, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Common Langur, Himalayan Marmot, Serow etc in this sanctuary. The area is one of the most visited sites in Sikkim.