a major conservation issue in fragile ecosystem such as high mountains. Divisions Administrative divisions North Sikkim is divided into two sub-divisions: Demographics According to the 2011 census North Sikkim district has a population of 43,709, roughly equal to the nation of Liechtenstein. This gives it a ranking of 634th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 5.66%. North Sikkim has a sex ratio of 769 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 77.39%. The people are mainly of Lepcha and Bhutia descent. Other groups include the Tibetan community. It also has one of the lowest populated regions of the state. Religion Buddhism is followed by majority of the people in North Sikkim district. Hinduism followed by a considerable population. Languages At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 31.71% of the population in the district spoke Lepcha, 23.24% Nepali, 14.41% Sikkimese, 8.51% Limbu, 6.40% Hindi, 3.63% Sherpa, 2.56% Tamang, 1.75% Punjabi, 1.62% Bhojpuri, 1.22% Rai and 1.08% Bengali as their first language. Transport Roads are in a poor condition owing to the frequent landslides. Flora and fauna North Sikkim is home to the red panda (Ailurus fulgens), a vulnerable species. This animal is the pride of Sikkim and is also the State Animal. It is generally found between heights of 2000 m to 4000 m. It is as big as a domestic Siamese cat (approximately 2 ft long), has a triangular shaped face with a stripe on its cheek, with red fur and black eyes. It has a sprinkling of white on its back and chest. The tail is bushy, black or brown in colour and long like that of a skunk. They generally live on treetops. In 1977 North Sikkim district became home to Khangchendzonga National Park, which has an area of . It shares the park with West Sikkim district. It is also home to the Shingba (rhododendron) Wildlife Sanctuary, which was established in 1984 and has an area of . Important Towns and Cities Mangan Chungthang Lachen Lachung Phodong Dikchu Banking Facilities The following Banks provide banking facilities in North Sikkim, district of Sikkim: Axis Bank, Lachen Central Bank of India, Mangan Canara Bank, Mangan IDBI Bank, Mangan State Bank Of India, Chungthang State Bank Of India, Mangan State Bank Of India, Kabi Sab State