Kashmir Digits

Jammu and Kashmir will get a new state bird soon, while Hangul (Kashmiri Stag) will continue to be ‘state animal.’

Official sources in Wildlife Protection department have said that  a new ‘state bird’ would be declared for Jammu and Kashmir very soon. “Yet Kashmir Stag (Hangul) would continue to be its ‘state animal’,” they added.

They said that the wildlife protection department sent proposals to the government in this connection and was awaiting final nod.

Before bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, the state had the black-necked crane and Kashmir stag as its ‘state bird’ and ‘state animal’ respectively.

But the black-necked crane is found only in Eastern Ladakh and the Hangul is found only in Kashmir Valley.

Recently the Ladakh administration declared black necked crane as its ‘state bird’ and snow leopard as its new ‘state animal.’

Sources said that after the bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, among the many new tasks in front of the administrations was the identification and declaration of a new ‘state bird’ and ‘state animal’ for the two UTs.

But almost two years after its bifurcation, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was yet to zero in on the same.

Experts said that every state and UT of India has symbols such as the state bird, animal and flower, which are recognized for their importance in that region. They are chosen from the unique flora and fauna in the state and UT and they represent the culture and the natural wonders of that particular state/UT. These symbols play a vital role in boosting conservation and protection efforts with regard to the species that are integral to a state or UT.