Joining previous editions on other Indian states, this report focuses on Sikkim, a state that is a popular tourist destination for its culture, scenic beauty, and biodiversity. Analyzing the entire range of the state’s development issues of interest to businesses, nongovernmental organizations, research organizations, and policy makers, this volume discusses the constraints and challenges faced by Sikkim and provides a blueprint for its socioeconomic progress.

“The 2014 Sikkim Human Development Report comprehensively charts the progress made by the Himalayan state of India over the past decade. The data and analyses presented here highlight: the efficacy of state policies in promoting a rapid expansion of both social and economic opportunities; the attention paid to sustainable development and preservation of the rich biodiversity of the region; the impressive advances made in the area of poverty reduction; and the successes achieved in the public provisioning of basic social services (it is the first state in India for instance to achieve total sanitation coverage). The Report underlines the conscious efforts by the political leadership as well as the state bureaucracy to stay connected with people. it also identifies several areas which require greater attention, such as the need to expand livelihoods, manage urbanization, establish a knowledge society, eliminate drug abuse and promote universal health coverage.” -- Back cover.

This report brings together the findings of a decade-long field survey conducted in the Indian state of Sikkim. It outlines the interventions made by the state government in human development, biodiversity, gender equity, justice and other parameters. It also outlines Sikkim's efforts in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

On varied aspects of Sikkim.

Border trade between India and China was closed shortly before the IndiaChina war of 1962. The growing tensions between the two countries due to border issues along with India’s stand to give refuge to the Dalai Lama added fuel to fire. There was about a decade and a half long Cold War like situation that existed between the two countries. Relations began to normalise from the mid1970’s. On 16 December 1991, India and China signed a memorandum of understanding on resumption of Border Trade. It was decided initially it would be carried out at one point across the Uttar PradeshTibet border through the Lipulekh pass. This was followed by the reopening of Border Trade in 1992. Two years down the line a second trading point was reopened across Himachal PradeshTibet border through the Shipki La. Later in 2006, Nathu La pass was reopened in Sikkim as per the agreement signed between India and China in 2003. In the decade that has followed, few of the expectations that the people in the Sikkim region had from the opening of this route has materialised. This work deals primarily with the nature of the border trade across the Nathu La, the expectations the people had from it, and humble for suggestions for attaining them.

This Book Explores The Ways To Address The Problem Of Deterioration Of Bio-Cultural Diversity In North East Indian In The Name Of Development. It Discusses At Length The Linkage Between Environmental Quality And Economic Growth.

Rising densities of human settlements, migration and transport to reduce distances to market, and specialization and trade facilitated by fewer international divisions are central to economic development. The transformations along these three dimensions density, distance, and division are most noticeable in North America, Western Europe, and Japan, but countries in Asia and Eastern Europe are changing in ways similar in scope and speed. 'World Development Report 2009: Reshaping Economic Geography' concludes that these spatial transformations are essential, and should be encouraged. The conclusion is not without controversy. Slum-dwellers now number a billion, but the rush to cities continues. Globalization is believed to benefit many, but not the billion people living in lagging areas of developing nations. High poverty and mortality persist among the world's 'bottom billion', while others grow wealthier and live longer lives. Concern for these three billion often comes with the prescription that growth must be made spatially balanced. The WDR has a different message: economic growth is seldom balanced, and efforts to spread it out prematurely will jeopardize progress. The Report: documents how production becomes more concentrated spatially as economies grow. proposes economic integration as the principle for promoting successful spatial transformations. revisits the debates on urbanization, territorial development, and regional integration and shows how today's developers can reshape economic geography.