Flora and Fauna of Jammu and Kashmir
Flora and Fauna of Jammu and Kashmir
Flora and Fauna of Jammu and Kashmir
and animals to depend for their daily needs such as food, medicine, fuel, fiber, etc for people; and food and habitat for both wild and domestic animals.
o The fauna of Jammu and Kashmir is varied due to its unique location and climatic condition. About 16% of the Indian mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects are present in this state. And also it is home to number to species that are listed as endangered like the Hangul, Snow Leopard and many more. The main tourist attractions of here is due to the fauna of the state.
o Cradled in the lap of the Himalayas, the state of Jammu and Kashmir is particularly rich in flora due to the wide variations in topography.
o Undoubtedly the most important of the trees found in Kashmir is the Chinar which is grown throughout the length and breadth of the valley, and the most important plant grown is the saffron plant. At the higher altitudes there are birch, rhododendron, Berbers and a large number of herbal plants; while in the mountainous region of the state, it is covered densely with deodar, fir and pine.
o Locally called "The Booune in the Kashmiri language, the Chinar tree holds a special place in the Kashmiri civilization which is almost found in every village of the valley. Chinar is a gigantic sized tree whose scientific name is platanus orientalis. o It grows up to a height of 25 meters and a girth exceeding 50 feet in certain cases. o This tree with largest circumference of 60 feet is located at a village named Chattergam in central Kashmir.
o With its scientific name as genus pinus, the pine trees are an evergreen coniferous tree which has dense branches and long dark needle like leaves. In recent years these trees are becoming very popular because they are used in ornaments etc by the cashmeres. o This evergreen conifer tree can thrive in full sun and poor soil. The soft dark green needles of the tree are 6-10 inches long and these are arranged in bundles of three. With this also the cones of the tree are 3 to 5 inches long. This tree is grown both urban and rural areas.
o There are only two places in the world where Saffron grows, and in India, Jammu and Kashmir is one of those places where it grows. o Crocus sativus, or the saffron plant is very small and its flower is the only part which is seen above the ground. The blooming time of this flower is autumn. Saffron has a unique sweet smell and is used in dyeing and cooking. The orange stigmas of the saffron flower are harvested as these are used as a flavoring and coloring agent in various recipes.
The fauna of Jammu and Kashmir is different due to its unique location and climatic condition. About 16% of the Indian mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies are presented in the state.
In this, we are going to tell about animals in mainly two national parks: Dachigam National Park and Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve where we will talk various animals.
o A Beautiful reserve, the national o Initially created to ensure clean park stretches across an area of drinking water supply for the city 141 square kilometers, with of Srinagar, it now houses many abundance of the most scenic rare species within its premises natural beauty; the variation in including Hangul, Kashmir Stag its altitude is vast, ranging from etc, and other than that there 5500 ft to 14000 ft above the sea includes Leopards, tigers, level. Thus, it is very clearly Himalayan Gray Langurs, Leopard marked into an upper and lower Cats, Himalayan Black Bear, region. Cinnamon Sparrows, Black Bulbuls, Monal Pheasants, o The park has been a protected Golden Orioles and many more. area since 1910 and its name literally means 'ten villages', which stands for the number of villages that were relocated for its formation. It was finally declared a National Park in the year 1981.
o Located 48km from Srinagar, Gulmarg o The best season for bird viewing is Biosphere Reserve occupies an area the months of March to May, and for of 180 sq km. The Reserve is the animal sighting it is from September natural habitat for its Himalayan to March. musk deer, red fox, black & brown o If one wants to explore the reserve It bear; but mainly it is a paradise for is important to dress in camouflage bird watchers colors, such as khaki, green, etc. o The best season for bird viewing is the months of March to May, and for animal sighting it is from September to March.
JOSEPH SABU, JANSHER DEBU, RAHUL JEARATH, RAGHAV CHOWLA, AMRIT DANG