Impact of Urbanization on Biodiversity in the Global Biodiversity Hotspot of Sikkim Himalaya, India: A Review

Authors

  • Santosh Sharma

    Department of Management, The ICFAI University Sikkim, Gangtok 737101, India
  • Ashish Kumar Arya

    Department of Environmental Science, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248002, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i1.11720
Received: 20 August 2025 | Revised: 9 October 2025 | Accepted: 20 October 2025 | Published Online: 2 February 2026

Abstract

Sikkim, located in the Eastern Himalayan Region, represents one of the 36 globally recognized biodiversity hotspots and harbors an exceptional range of ecosystems within a relatively small geographic area. Over the past few decades, the region has witnessed rapid urbanization alongside other developmental activities such as hydropower construction, road expansion, mining and infrastructure development. While these processes have contributed to socio-economic development, they have simultaneously exerted significant pressure on the fragile mountain environment. This review examines the impacts of urbanization on biodiversity in the Sikkim Himalaya drawing attention to the ways in which land-use change due to urbanization, habitat fragmentation and economic development have altered ecological dynamics and threatened biodiversity of this region. The findings of the current study suggest that unplanned urban growth has led to the degradation of forest cover, disruption of ecological corridors thereby diminishing ecosystem resilience of the region. In addition, the current study highlights the challenges of balancing developmental imperatives with environmental conservation in the study area where both ecological integrity and human livelihoods are intricately interdependent. This study highlights the urgent need for integrated land-use planning that incorporates ecological corridors, urban green spaces, and community-based conservation to mitigate biodiversity loss. Strengthened governance, sustainable tourism, invasive species control, and systematic biodiversity monitoring are essential to balance urban development with ecological integrity. Most importantly, holistic and interdisciplinary approaches are critical to ensuring that urban growth in the Global Biodiversity Hotspot of the Sikkim Himalaya aligns with global biodiversity conservation goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Keywords:

Urbanization; Biodiversity Conservation; Biodiversity Hotspots; Sustainable Development; Eastern Himalaya; Sikkim Himalaya

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Sharma, S., & Arya, A. K. (2025). Impact of Urbanization on Biodiversity in the Global Biodiversity Hotspot of Sikkim Himalaya, India: A Review. Research in Ecology, 8(1), 232–258. https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i1.11720

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