Dzuluk

Dzuluk or Zuluk or Jhuluk or Jaluk is a small hamlet located at a height of around 10,000 feet (3000 m) on the rugged terrain of the lower Himalayas in East Sikkim of the Indian state Sikkim (pincode - 737131). This place is relatively an emerging and offbeat destination in East Sikkim. Today it is fast emerging as a new tourist destination. It derives its tourism importance due to the excellent view of the eastern Himalayan mountain range including the Kanchenjunga.[1]

the zig zag road at Dzuluk

Historical Importance

It was once a transit point to the historic Silk Route[2] from Tibet to India. The famous silk route that connected Lhasa[3] (Tibet) to Kalimpong was in use even a few decades ago until the Chinese invasion of Tibet. It was commonly used by traders traveling to Tibet through Jelep-la ("La" stands for mountain pass) as an overnight base. The route started from Kalimpong and passed through Pedong, Aritar, Dzuluk and Jelepla to Chumbi valley in Tibet.

Kangchenjunga from Sikkim

Geography

Dzuluk is located at 27°15′06″N 88°46′39″E / 27.2518°N 88.7775°E / 27.2518; 88.7775

Climate

Dzuluk at an altitude of about 10,000 ft offers pleasant weather during most of the year. The summer temperature would be varying near 20 degree Celsius with substantial difference between the day and night temperature. The rainy season is a little protracted and heavy to very heavy showers are common. The winter may see snowfall in the area of about 3–5 ft of snow.

Flora and Fauna

Dzuluk is surrounded by wild forest, some of the forests are completely virgin. Sighting of Deer, Wild Dog, Himalayan Bear the red panda[4] is not very uncommon. Some tigers have also reportedly been sighted in the area.

enriched wildlife

A variety of birds can also be seen such as Monal Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Khaleez Pheasant, Snow Pheasant and others.During the summer months, the area and its surrounding hills are covered with thousands of blooming rhododendron. Dzuluk during these months, is a riot of colors due to the variety of rhododendron that can be seen here.

Population

This small village accommodates a population of around 700 people. They are largely immigrants from Nepal who came and settled here in the hope of a better future. They are honest, simple, hardworking and hospitable by nature. However most of them are illiterate. There is also an Indian Army base at Dzuluk, which has been used as a transit camp for the army movement to the Indo-Chinese border, a few kilometers away. Due to poor quality of the soil and vagaries of weather, farming is well neigh impossible. Neither there is any scope for practicing cattle rearing as an occupation. Most of the land is fenced and military controlled making it unfit for grazing. The only source of livelihood there is employment in the construction and maintenance of border roads. However, there are immense tourism potentialities which need to be tapped properly.

Transport

The Bagdogra Airport,[5] (IATA airport code IXB) in Siliguri, West Bengal is the nearest airport. One can drive for around 7–8 hours from there to reach Dzuluk.

New Jalpaiguri railway Station (NJP) in West Bengal is the closest railway station. A drive of around 7–8 hours will take one to Dzuluk.

Dzuluk can be reached from Siliguri by various hired vehicle in roughly 7 hours. Tourists can also travel to Dzuluk from Gangtok in roughly 4 hours by hiring vehicles.

Tourist Accommodation

Dzuluk is an abode of peace. It is an ideal destination for those who like serene ambience. Tourists need to prearrange special permits for visiting this restricted area that is issued from Rangli. The permits are also issued from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. There are no hotels worth its name. a visitor has to accept home stay and put up in small cottages which have however attached bathrooms. Bedrooms are made comfortable and warm at night by room heater or fire place which locals call Bukhari.

Nearby Places

The three-level zigzag roads of Dzuluk offer beautiful views of the Kanchenjunga and its mountain range. The other attractions of the place include lakes, temples ,route that leads to Tibet. Some of the forests situated around Dzuluk are completely unexplored and offer a variety of flora and fauna.

beautiful morning at Dzuluk

Some eye-catching points around --

References

  1. ↑ Freshfield, D. W. (1903). Round Kangchenjunga: a narrative of mountain travel and exploration. London: Edward Arnold.
  2. ↑ Xinru Liu. The Silk Road In World History (PDF). Oxford University Press.
  3. ↑ Anne-Marie Blondeau and Yonten Gyatso, 'Lhasa, Legend and History,'in Françoise Pommaret-Imaeda (ed.)Lhasa in the seventeenth century: the capital of the Dalai Lamas, BRILL, 2003, pp.15–38, pp.21–22.
  4. ↑ Pocock, R.I. (1941). Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Mammalia. – Volume 2. London: Taylor and Francis. pp. 250–264.
  5. ↑ http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/bagdogra_generalinfo.jsp
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