Ladakh: Black-Necked Crane Declared As The State Bird, Snow Leopard As The State Animal

Leh: Ladakh has revealed its official state bird and state animal. The administration of the union territory has declared black-necked crane as the state bird while the snow leopard has been declared as the state animal. 

Ladakh was declared as a union territory after the abrogation of article 370 in 2019. Previously, it was part of Jammu and Kashmir. 

The announcement of the state bird and the state animal was done by the Ladakh forest and environment department in a notification that was issued in this regard.

With an estimated population of only about 13,500, the black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) is the only alpine species of crane in this world.

Around the end of March to the end of April, the cranes arrive in Ladakh and settle around the high-altitude lakes of the region. This includes Tso Kar, Hanle and Pangong.

The snow leopards wander around the high valleys and across jagged mountains cliffs in Ladakh. 

The snow leopard mainly survives on a prey base that comprises bharal (blue sheep), ibex and marmots.

In other news, India and China were working on a proposal to withdraw troops from a friction point in Gogra at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. It could be a significant step towards resolving the continuing border crisis. The final decision on withdrawal of troops from Patrolling Point (PP) 17A in Gogra was to be taken up by the top brass of the military and diplomatic hierarchy.

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