User:Dwaipayanc/sandbox9
history[edit]
Gangtok is vulnerable to recurrent landslides annually, resulting in damages to life and properties. The major disaster till date in Gangtok has been in June 1997, wherein 38 lives and hundreds of structures were lost.[1]
probable expansion: 1. 1947 it not choosing to be a part of India 2. 1962 war 3. 1973 protests then on the development of the city and short durations of the municipal corporation Earthquake
geography[edit]
The city is flanked on east and west by two streams, namely Roro Chu and Ranikhola. These two rivers divide the natural drainage into two parts, the eastern and western parts. Both the streams meet the Ranipul and flow south as the main Ranikhola before it joins the Teesta at Singtam.[1]
demographics[edit]
About 8% of Gangtok’s population live in the nine notified slums and squatter settlements, all on Government land. Yet more live in areas that depict slum like characteristics but have not been notified as slums yet because they have developed on private land.[2]
Utility services[edit]
Electricity is supplied by the power department, Government of Sikkim. Gangtok has an almost uninterrupted electricity supply due to Sikkim's numerous hydroelectric power stations. Most households are supplied by the central water system maintained and operated by the PHED.[1] The main source of PHED water supply is the Rateychu River, located about 16 km (9.9 mi) from the city, at an altitude of 2,621 m (8,599 ft). The water treatment plant is located at Selep. The river Rateychu is snow fed and has perennial streams. Since there is no habitation in the catchment area except for a small army settlement, there is very little environmental degradation and the source is of very good quality.[1] 40 seasonal local springs sources are used by the the Rural Management and Development Department (RM&DD) of Sikkim Government to supply water to outlying rural areas.
Around 40% of the population is connected to sewers.[1] However, only the toilet waste is connected to the sewer while sullage is discharged into the drains.[1] Without a proper sanitation system, the practice of disposing sewage through septic tanks and direct discharging into Jhoras and open drains is prevalent.[1] The entire city drains into the two rivers, Ranikhola and Roro Chu, through numerous small streams and Jhoras. Ranikhola and Roro Chu rivers confluence with River Teesta, the major source of drinking water to the population downstream. The densely populated urbanized area of Gangtok does not have a combined drainage system to drain out the storm water and wastewater from the buildings.[1]
The estimated solid waste generated in Gangtok city is approximately 45 Tonne.[1] Out of this only about 40% is collected by UDHD, remaining 60% of the waste is indiscriminately thrown into Jhora, streets and valleys.[1] The waste collected is disposed at a dump site located about 20 km (12 mi) from city. There is no waste collection from inaccessible areas where vehicles cannot reach nor does any system of collection of waste exist in the adjoining rural areas. The city, and the rest of Sikkim, has enforced a complete ban on the use of polythene bags.[1]