The government of Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh has declared ‘Snow leopard’ (Panthera uncia) as its state animal and ‘Black-necked crane’ (Grus nigricollis) as its state bird.
Key Points:
i.Earlier (prior to the administrative division) Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) had the Black-necked crane and Kashmir stag (Hangul) as its state bird and animal.
ii.The black-necked crane is found in eastern Ladakh, whereas the Hangul is in Kashmir.
iii.Hence, after the bifurcation into 2 separate administrations, the black-necked crane was now declared as the state bird of Ladakh.
- As per the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the central government has bifurcated the state J&K into 2 UTs viz, J&K and Ladakh.
Black-necked crane:
i.Eastern Ladakh is the only known breeding ground in India for Black-necked cranes outside China.
ii.Population: The estimated population of Black-necked Crane in Ladakh region is between 80-100. The global population is estimated to be ~6,000.
iii.It is listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and as Near-threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Snow leopard:
i.It is found native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia.
ii.Population: The estimated population of individual Snow -Leopard in Ladakh alone is between 200-300.
iii.It is listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Recent Related News:
The two days grand Hemis festival was celebrated by the people of Ladakh and the Tibetian community on the 20th and 21st of June 2021. It is celebrated at the sweeping courtyard of Hemis monastery, Ladakh.
About Ladakh:
Governor – Radha Krishna Mathur
Airport – Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport
Heritage Site – Tso Kar Wetland Complex, Tsomoriri
