An interesting development

08/10/2019

Every State and Union Territory of India has a unique group of symbols like State animal and bird. These symbols have been chosen from unique flora and fauna and they depict a certain virtue that is distinctive characteristic of the State or Union Territory. These symbols are often adopted after concerted efforts by the Governments to have a significant item recognized for its importance to the State or Union Territory. Moreover, these symbols represent the culture and the natural wonders unique to the particular State. Jammu and Kashmir has Black-necked Crane as State bird and Kashmir Stag (Hangul) as State animal. Both these specifies are rarest of the rare as such were declared as official symbols long time back. But after the bifurcation of the State a task of its own kind for the administration identification and declaration of new State bird and animal of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh has begun. Black-necked Crane, which is found only in Eastern Ladakh, can no longer be the State bird of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir while as Kashmir Stag (Hangul), which is found only in Valley, cannot be State animal of Union Territory of Ladakh. In an interesting development relating to the bifurcation of the State, the administration of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh will have to search for new State bird and animal after October 31, 2019 when the new set-up will formally be in place. Now, the administration will have to find out State bird of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and State animal of Union Territory of Ladakh and concerned Government agencies will set into motion an exercise in this regard after October 31, 2019 when the new UTs will be formally established.
Kashmir Stag, popularly known as Hangul, is the only surviving sub-species of the Red Deer family. Once found in high altitude regions of Northern India and Pakistan, the Kashmir Stag is now confined to only Dachigam National Park in Kashmir. It has been considered as one of the rarest mammal in the subcontinent since 1950s. The population of Hangul has decreased so low over a period of time that it has been classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red Data Book. Since the State of J&K had rarest of the rare species as State bird and State animal, it would not be that easy for the administration to find out State bird for UT of J&K and State animal for UT of Ladakh and like new State bird and State animal for the UTs of J&K and Ladakh, the administration will have to also look for other symbols like State flower and State tre”.

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