J&K adopts Kalij Pheasant as UT bird

SRINAGAR — Nearly two years after the reorganization of the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir, the administration of Jammu & Kashmir has adopted Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) as UT bird.

Confirming the development, Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Environment and Ecology, Sanjeev Verma told news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that J&K has adopted Kalij Pheasant (Kruhan Van Kokur) as UT bird.

“We adopted a new bird as UT bird because black-necked crane, which was the state bird of the erstwhile state of J&K, is only found in Ladakh,” he said, adding that Hangul would continue to remain as UT animal.

Ladakh is no more part of J&K and functions as a separate Union Territory from October 31, 2019.

Erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state had the black-necked crane and Kashmir stag (Hangul) as its state bird and animal respectively. After the reorganization of J&K, Ladakh adopted black-necked crane as its UT bird.

Talking to KNO, 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 the conservation of Kalij Pheasant.