Dzuluk


Dzuluk or Zuluk or Jhuluk or Jaluk is a small hamlet located at a height of on the rugged terrain of the lower Himalayas in East Sikkim of the Indian state Sikkim. 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.

Historical importance

It was once a transit point to the historic Silk Route from Tibet to India. The silk route that connected Lhasa 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 as an overnight base. The route started from Kalimpong and passed through Pedong, Aritar, Dzuluk and Jelepla to Chumbi valley in Tibet.

Geography

Dzuluk is located at.

Climate

Dzuluk at an altitude of about 9,400 ft offers pleasant weather during most of the year. The summer temperature would be near 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 of snow.
Dzuluk is surrounded by wild forest, some of the forests are completely virgin. Sighting of Deer, Wild Dog, Himalayan Bear the red panda is not very uncommon. Some tigers have also reportedly been sighted in the area.
A variety of birds can also be seen such as Blood Pheasant, Himalayan monal, Kalij 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 306 people and 65 households. Historically, Zuluk provides the accommodation facilities to the trader and porters of the silk route. The trader and porter are mostly from Tibet and Nepal at that instant. In Indo-China war, the pass has closed the trade between India and Tibet were stop, due to the agitation of Indo china War, the most of trader and porter retreat from silk route and some settle there after the war. The remaining settlers used to work in BRO, some in agriculture and the Indian army as a porter. There is an Indian Army base at Dzuluk, which has been used as a transit camp for the army movement to the Indo-Chinese border nearby. Due to poor quality of the soil and vagaries of weather, farming is well high impossible. Neither is there any possibility for cattle rearing as an occupation; most of the land is fenced and military-controlled, making it unfit for grazing. BRO , Tourism and porter in the Indian army are the only livelihoods of zuluk.

Transport

The Pakyong Airport, in Pakyong, Sikkim is the nearest airport. One can drive for around 3–4 hours from there to reach Dzuluk.
New Jalpaiguri railway Station 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.
The three-level switchback roads of Dzuluk offer 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.