Kalij Pheasant as JKUT bird, Hangul remains ‘state animal’
Srinagar: The administration of Jammu and Kashmir has adopted Kalij Pheasant as UT bird, an official said.
Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Environment and Ecology, Sanjeev Verma confirmed that Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) has been adopted as UT bird.
“J&K had to adopt new bird as UT bird because black-necked cranes are only found in Ladakh,” he said.
Erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir had the black-necked crane and Kashmir stag (Hangul) as its state bird and animal respectively. After reorganization of J&K, Ladakh adopted black-necked crane as its UT bird.
Verma said Hangul would continue to remain as UT animal of Jammu & Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Chief Wildlife Warden (J&K), Suresh Kumar Gupta said the Kalij Pheasant is found in both Jammu and Kashmir regions.
“In Jammu, it is found in Jasrota national park, Bhaderwah, Poonch and Rajouri. In Kashmir, it can be spotted in Kazinag and Overa-Aru areas,” he said.
He said the department of Wildlife will raise awareness among the public for conservation of Kalij Pheasant. (KNO)
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