State Symbols of Uttarakhand | Uttarakhand State PSC (UKPSC): Preparation - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) PDF Download

 Page 1


State
 
Symbols
 
of
 
Uttarakhand
After formation of the state in 2001, state symbols which forms part of its
identity were adopted. It is the duty of every individual of the state to respect,
preserve, protect and cherish these symbols.
State Animal- Musk Deer
Musk Deer (kasturi mrig) is a species found in higher reaches of Himalaya. It
is considered most primitive among deer family, and is primitive to even
‘true deer’ belonging to family Cervidae. Its family is Moschidae and genus
is Moschus. Since ancient times, Ayurveda and Tibetan medicines have used
their scent glands for preparing medicines, perfums and cosmetics. There are
four main species of Musk deer depending upon whether it is found in
Russia, Nepal,China or India. In India it is found in Himalaya over the
altitude of 2500m. Even though it belongs to deer family (Moschidae), Musk
Deer is unique and different from common deer. Its physical built up, life
cycle, food habits are different. It eats certains herbs and leave, its colour is
brown with yellowish black spot on it. Weighing 10 to 15 kg its height is
much shorter than that of common deer. Male Musk deer has sharp pointed
teeth bent inwards with length between 7 and10 cm, but colour of male and
female is same. Male Musk deer uses these teeth for defence and digging up
herbs. Its tail is hairless.
Musk Deer does not have horns and has 4 hooves on its foot. The Musk is
only found in male and its starts forming when deer attains age of 1 year. One
deer carries around 30 to 45 grams of musk. It is secreted from a gland
located in lower abdominal part near the genitals. The secretion is collected
in bag like structure below abdominal skin. Its price is very high which varies
from $65-75 per gram in international market. This high price is responsible
for illegal poaching of Musk Deer. Since there is not much difference
between physical appearance of male and female, females also get killed
despite carrying no musk.The Musk deer has very good smelling power
because of which it senses the danger quickly but its tendency to look back
after running 40-50 m proves fatal for it. They prefer to live alone, meeting
only during mating season. During mating season male deer chooses a
Page 2


State
 
Symbols
 
of
 
Uttarakhand
After formation of the state in 2001, state symbols which forms part of its
identity were adopted. It is the duty of every individual of the state to respect,
preserve, protect and cherish these symbols.
State Animal- Musk Deer
Musk Deer (kasturi mrig) is a species found in higher reaches of Himalaya. It
is considered most primitive among deer family, and is primitive to even
‘true deer’ belonging to family Cervidae. Its family is Moschidae and genus
is Moschus. Since ancient times, Ayurveda and Tibetan medicines have used
their scent glands for preparing medicines, perfums and cosmetics. There are
four main species of Musk deer depending upon whether it is found in
Russia, Nepal,China or India. In India it is found in Himalaya over the
altitude of 2500m. Even though it belongs to deer family (Moschidae), Musk
Deer is unique and different from common deer. Its physical built up, life
cycle, food habits are different. It eats certains herbs and leave, its colour is
brown with yellowish black spot on it. Weighing 10 to 15 kg its height is
much shorter than that of common deer. Male Musk deer has sharp pointed
teeth bent inwards with length between 7 and10 cm, but colour of male and
female is same. Male Musk deer uses these teeth for defence and digging up
herbs. Its tail is hairless.
Musk Deer does not have horns and has 4 hooves on its foot. The Musk is
only found in male and its starts forming when deer attains age of 1 year. One
deer carries around 30 to 45 grams of musk. It is secreted from a gland
located in lower abdominal part near the genitals. The secretion is collected
in bag like structure below abdominal skin. Its price is very high which varies
from $65-75 per gram in international market. This high price is responsible
for illegal poaching of Musk Deer. Since there is not much difference
between physical appearance of male and female, females also get killed
despite carrying no musk.The Musk deer has very good smelling power
because of which it senses the danger quickly but its tendency to look back
after running 40-50 m proves fatal for it. They prefer to live alone, meeting
only during mating season. During mating season male deer chooses a
particular place for excretion, when his musk is secreted which is used by
female deer to locate prospective mate. November – December is generally
the mationg season while May-June is the period when offsprings are
born.The Musk Deer feeds on oak and bamboo leaves and other herbs. It
seeks food in places where there is no possibility of human
encroachment.Those found in Uttarakhand has very intense fragarance
generating huge international demand. They were once found all over
Himalaya but now limited to higher reaches of Chamoli, Pithoragarh and
Uttarkashi districts.
Considering the serious decline in population of Musk deer, Central
Government has included it in protected species category. The ministry of
Health and Family welfare has intiated steps for captive breeding of Musk
deer. Government has setup Musk Deer Reaserch Centre in Mahrudi,
Pithoragarh in 1974 and Musk Deer Breeding Centre at Kanchla Kharak
Mandal (Gopeshwar). Some parts of Nanda Devi National Park have been
declared protected area for Musk Deer. The forest areas of Didihat,
Dharchula, and Munsyari tehsil of Pithoragarh have been declared ‘Askot
Musk Deer Park’ an ordinance for which was issued in 1986. It is managed
by Corbett National Park. Unfortunately despite these efforts population of
Musk Deer is declining due to poor management of these centres.Musk is
widely used in Pharmaceutical industry to prepare medicines to cure
Asthama, epilepsy, typhoid, and heart ailments. The major importers Musk
are japan and France while major exporter is China.For 1kg of Musk, 80 deer
have to be slaughtered.
State Insignia
The Ashoka Pillar on top of range of three mountains and waves of river
Ganga at its bottom encompassed within a circular ring has been designed as
state Insignia which is used in all official documents of Government of
Uttarakhand.
State Bird- Monal
Monal (Lophophorous impejanus) is found at the height of 8 to 15 thousnd
feet in Himalaya. It is also called Imperial Monal. It belongs to Lophophorus
of the Pheasant family Phasianidae. Besides Uttarakhand, It is also found in
Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Kashmir. It is also called
Page 3


State
 
Symbols
 
of
 
Uttarakhand
After formation of the state in 2001, state symbols which forms part of its
identity were adopted. It is the duty of every individual of the state to respect,
preserve, protect and cherish these symbols.
State Animal- Musk Deer
Musk Deer (kasturi mrig) is a species found in higher reaches of Himalaya. It
is considered most primitive among deer family, and is primitive to even
‘true deer’ belonging to family Cervidae. Its family is Moschidae and genus
is Moschus. Since ancient times, Ayurveda and Tibetan medicines have used
their scent glands for preparing medicines, perfums and cosmetics. There are
four main species of Musk deer depending upon whether it is found in
Russia, Nepal,China or India. In India it is found in Himalaya over the
altitude of 2500m. Even though it belongs to deer family (Moschidae), Musk
Deer is unique and different from common deer. Its physical built up, life
cycle, food habits are different. It eats certains herbs and leave, its colour is
brown with yellowish black spot on it. Weighing 10 to 15 kg its height is
much shorter than that of common deer. Male Musk deer has sharp pointed
teeth bent inwards with length between 7 and10 cm, but colour of male and
female is same. Male Musk deer uses these teeth for defence and digging up
herbs. Its tail is hairless.
Musk Deer does not have horns and has 4 hooves on its foot. The Musk is
only found in male and its starts forming when deer attains age of 1 year. One
deer carries around 30 to 45 grams of musk. It is secreted from a gland
located in lower abdominal part near the genitals. The secretion is collected
in bag like structure below abdominal skin. Its price is very high which varies
from $65-75 per gram in international market. This high price is responsible
for illegal poaching of Musk Deer. Since there is not much difference
between physical appearance of male and female, females also get killed
despite carrying no musk.The Musk deer has very good smelling power
because of which it senses the danger quickly but its tendency to look back
after running 40-50 m proves fatal for it. They prefer to live alone, meeting
only during mating season. During mating season male deer chooses a
particular place for excretion, when his musk is secreted which is used by
female deer to locate prospective mate. November – December is generally
the mationg season while May-June is the period when offsprings are
born.The Musk Deer feeds on oak and bamboo leaves and other herbs. It
seeks food in places where there is no possibility of human
encroachment.Those found in Uttarakhand has very intense fragarance
generating huge international demand. They were once found all over
Himalaya but now limited to higher reaches of Chamoli, Pithoragarh and
Uttarkashi districts.
Considering the serious decline in population of Musk deer, Central
Government has included it in protected species category. The ministry of
Health and Family welfare has intiated steps for captive breeding of Musk
deer. Government has setup Musk Deer Reaserch Centre in Mahrudi,
Pithoragarh in 1974 and Musk Deer Breeding Centre at Kanchla Kharak
Mandal (Gopeshwar). Some parts of Nanda Devi National Park have been
declared protected area for Musk Deer. The forest areas of Didihat,
Dharchula, and Munsyari tehsil of Pithoragarh have been declared ‘Askot
Musk Deer Park’ an ordinance for which was issued in 1986. It is managed
by Corbett National Park. Unfortunately despite these efforts population of
Musk Deer is declining due to poor management of these centres.Musk is
widely used in Pharmaceutical industry to prepare medicines to cure
Asthama, epilepsy, typhoid, and heart ailments. The major importers Musk
are japan and France while major exporter is China.For 1kg of Musk, 80 deer
have to be slaughtered.
State Insignia
The Ashoka Pillar on top of range of three mountains and waves of river
Ganga at its bottom encompassed within a circular ring has been designed as
state Insignia which is used in all official documents of Government of
Uttarakhand.
State Bird- Monal
Monal (Lophophorous impejanus) is found at the height of 8 to 15 thousnd
feet in Himalaya. It is also called Imperial Monal. It belongs to Lophophorus
of the Pheasant family Phasianidae. Besides Uttarakhand, It is also found in
Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Kashmir. It is also called
Munyal. Monal has a coloured plumage, golden feathers, beautiful white
spots near the ears and a brown coloured tail. The male has a beautiful
plumage over its head like that of a peacock. Male is more beautiful as
compared to female. Its height ranges from 5 inches to one and a half feet. It
is usually blue, green, dark brown or pink in colour. It has a sparkling blue
coloured neck. It is also known as Himalayan Peacock. It usually lives in
high reaches but during snowfall it comes down to valley where they face
danger of poaching. It saves Musk Deer from hunters by alerting them.It
never builds a nest and lays eggs under open sky, inside the snow cover. At a
time it lays maximum 4 eggs. It feeds on algae deposits on the branches of
trees and on the roots of various herbs. It usually walks but sensing danger it
may also fly. Monal is fond of potato and is often killed in potato fields. Its
coloured skin fetches good price. Britishers used to hunt and display the
monal corpse which does not deteriorate even after long time. Shephards boil
its eggs and consume it to ward off extreme cold.
Monal is generally found in Munsyari tehsil of Pithoragarh district in
Khaliyadhar, Khaliya top, Kholta, Hunsling, Lenga, Panchuli Valley and
Nakuridhura. It has also been recognized as State Bird of Himanchal Pradesh
and Nepal. An experiment on captive breeding of monal was made at Nanda
Devi National Park in Kanchula Khark (Gopeshwar) but it didn’t succeed.
Monal is also called ‘Crown of Himalayan Birds’ and its hunting is
completely banned under Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Yet its population
has been continuously declining.
State Tree- Buransh
Buransh (Rhododendron) is the state flower of Uttarakhand. It blooms in the
month of falgun near the festival of Holi. It is an evergreen tree and called
Adarwal in Jammu and Kashmir, Buransho in Himanchal Pradesh and
Buransh in Uttarakhand. In India Rohododendron is found in entire
Himalayan region from J&K to Eastern Himalaya. It is also found in Nilgiri
Hills, in Hackegala in Srilanka, in Asia Minor, Bhutan, Nepal etc. more than
600 species of Rhododendron have been identified till date. It grows at an
altitude of 5000 to 11000 feet. It grows upto the height of 20 to 25 feet with a
circumference of 5 to 6 feet.In Kumaun region Buransh is found in forests of
Nainital, Dhari, Ramgarh, Okhalkanda, Devidhra, Mornola, Champawat,
Lohaghat, Salam region of Almora, Berinag, Didihat, Thalkedar, Ranikhet,
Page 4


State
 
Symbols
 
of
 
Uttarakhand
After formation of the state in 2001, state symbols which forms part of its
identity were adopted. It is the duty of every individual of the state to respect,
preserve, protect and cherish these symbols.
State Animal- Musk Deer
Musk Deer (kasturi mrig) is a species found in higher reaches of Himalaya. It
is considered most primitive among deer family, and is primitive to even
‘true deer’ belonging to family Cervidae. Its family is Moschidae and genus
is Moschus. Since ancient times, Ayurveda and Tibetan medicines have used
their scent glands for preparing medicines, perfums and cosmetics. There are
four main species of Musk deer depending upon whether it is found in
Russia, Nepal,China or India. In India it is found in Himalaya over the
altitude of 2500m. Even though it belongs to deer family (Moschidae), Musk
Deer is unique and different from common deer. Its physical built up, life
cycle, food habits are different. It eats certains herbs and leave, its colour is
brown with yellowish black spot on it. Weighing 10 to 15 kg its height is
much shorter than that of common deer. Male Musk deer has sharp pointed
teeth bent inwards with length between 7 and10 cm, but colour of male and
female is same. Male Musk deer uses these teeth for defence and digging up
herbs. Its tail is hairless.
Musk Deer does not have horns and has 4 hooves on its foot. The Musk is
only found in male and its starts forming when deer attains age of 1 year. One
deer carries around 30 to 45 grams of musk. It is secreted from a gland
located in lower abdominal part near the genitals. The secretion is collected
in bag like structure below abdominal skin. Its price is very high which varies
from $65-75 per gram in international market. This high price is responsible
for illegal poaching of Musk Deer. Since there is not much difference
between physical appearance of male and female, females also get killed
despite carrying no musk.The Musk deer has very good smelling power
because of which it senses the danger quickly but its tendency to look back
after running 40-50 m proves fatal for it. They prefer to live alone, meeting
only during mating season. During mating season male deer chooses a
particular place for excretion, when his musk is secreted which is used by
female deer to locate prospective mate. November – December is generally
the mationg season while May-June is the period when offsprings are
born.The Musk Deer feeds on oak and bamboo leaves and other herbs. It
seeks food in places where there is no possibility of human
encroachment.Those found in Uttarakhand has very intense fragarance
generating huge international demand. They were once found all over
Himalaya but now limited to higher reaches of Chamoli, Pithoragarh and
Uttarkashi districts.
Considering the serious decline in population of Musk deer, Central
Government has included it in protected species category. The ministry of
Health and Family welfare has intiated steps for captive breeding of Musk
deer. Government has setup Musk Deer Reaserch Centre in Mahrudi,
Pithoragarh in 1974 and Musk Deer Breeding Centre at Kanchla Kharak
Mandal (Gopeshwar). Some parts of Nanda Devi National Park have been
declared protected area for Musk Deer. The forest areas of Didihat,
Dharchula, and Munsyari tehsil of Pithoragarh have been declared ‘Askot
Musk Deer Park’ an ordinance for which was issued in 1986. It is managed
by Corbett National Park. Unfortunately despite these efforts population of
Musk Deer is declining due to poor management of these centres.Musk is
widely used in Pharmaceutical industry to prepare medicines to cure
Asthama, epilepsy, typhoid, and heart ailments. The major importers Musk
are japan and France while major exporter is China.For 1kg of Musk, 80 deer
have to be slaughtered.
State Insignia
The Ashoka Pillar on top of range of three mountains and waves of river
Ganga at its bottom encompassed within a circular ring has been designed as
state Insignia which is used in all official documents of Government of
Uttarakhand.
State Bird- Monal
Monal (Lophophorous impejanus) is found at the height of 8 to 15 thousnd
feet in Himalaya. It is also called Imperial Monal. It belongs to Lophophorus
of the Pheasant family Phasianidae. Besides Uttarakhand, It is also found in
Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Kashmir. It is also called
Munyal. Monal has a coloured plumage, golden feathers, beautiful white
spots near the ears and a brown coloured tail. The male has a beautiful
plumage over its head like that of a peacock. Male is more beautiful as
compared to female. Its height ranges from 5 inches to one and a half feet. It
is usually blue, green, dark brown or pink in colour. It has a sparkling blue
coloured neck. It is also known as Himalayan Peacock. It usually lives in
high reaches but during snowfall it comes down to valley where they face
danger of poaching. It saves Musk Deer from hunters by alerting them.It
never builds a nest and lays eggs under open sky, inside the snow cover. At a
time it lays maximum 4 eggs. It feeds on algae deposits on the branches of
trees and on the roots of various herbs. It usually walks but sensing danger it
may also fly. Monal is fond of potato and is often killed in potato fields. Its
coloured skin fetches good price. Britishers used to hunt and display the
monal corpse which does not deteriorate even after long time. Shephards boil
its eggs and consume it to ward off extreme cold.
Monal is generally found in Munsyari tehsil of Pithoragarh district in
Khaliyadhar, Khaliya top, Kholta, Hunsling, Lenga, Panchuli Valley and
Nakuridhura. It has also been recognized as State Bird of Himanchal Pradesh
and Nepal. An experiment on captive breeding of monal was made at Nanda
Devi National Park in Kanchula Khark (Gopeshwar) but it didn’t succeed.
Monal is also called ‘Crown of Himalayan Birds’ and its hunting is
completely banned under Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Yet its population
has been continuously declining.
State Tree- Buransh
Buransh (Rhododendron) is the state flower of Uttarakhand. It blooms in the
month of falgun near the festival of Holi. It is an evergreen tree and called
Adarwal in Jammu and Kashmir, Buransho in Himanchal Pradesh and
Buransh in Uttarakhand. In India Rohododendron is found in entire
Himalayan region from J&K to Eastern Himalaya. It is also found in Nilgiri
Hills, in Hackegala in Srilanka, in Asia Minor, Bhutan, Nepal etc. more than
600 species of Rhododendron have been identified till date. It grows at an
altitude of 5000 to 11000 feet. It grows upto the height of 20 to 25 feet with a
circumference of 5 to 6 feet.In Kumaun region Buransh is found in forests of
Nainital, Dhari, Ramgarh, Okhalkanda, Devidhra, Mornola, Champawat,
Lohaghat, Salam region of Almora, Berinag, Didihat, Thalkedar, Ranikhet,
Barakot, Narayan Nagar etc. in Garhwal it is found in Badrinath, Kedarnath,
Dudhatoli, Uttarkashi, Joshimath, Tunganath, Gwaldam, Mussoorie,
Chakrata, Lansdown, Pauri, Dhanaulti, Ghansali, Tehri etc. its counterpart
growing in tropical regions belongs to sub-genus Vireya.
Rohododendron tree has a brown to light red bark and flower has
sparkingly beautiful red to dark red colour. Because of this dark red colour it
is called ‘Flame of the Forest’. Buransh coexists with Oak and Deodar trees
and exchange rich minerals.Buransh also has cultural signinficance. Sumitra
Nandan Pant has composed several poems on it. In Jaunsar Bawar of
Dehradun flowering of Buransh signals start of Bissu festival. On the
occasion of Makar Sankranti a flower festival with Buransh is celebrated both
in Kumaun and Garhwal. By the festival of Baisakhi the flowering reaches its
peak when one can enjoy it completely.Buransh also has medicinal and
commercial value. It contains water which carries rich minerals valuable for
human health. Maharshi Charak in Charak Samhita has discussed its
medicinal use in Ayurveda at length. It is useful for heart related ailments and
for high blood pressure. Dried wood of Buransh tree is used for making
wooden utensils used as milk, curd, ghee containers called Theki and
Dori.Unfortunately there has been uncontrolled felling of this tree specialy
during British period. Chir forests have now replaced it in lower reaches.
Forest department has launched several plantation drives for its regeneration
but these have not succeeded much. Now techniques like tissue culture,
nursery plantation are being used for its conservation. The tree is a protected
species under Forest Act of 1974.
State Flower- Brahm Kamal
Brahm Kamal (Sausaria obvellata) a perennial plant is the state flower of
Uttarakhand. It belongs to sunflower family. It has light yellowish coloured
leaves surrounding a bunch of purple coloured flowers. The length of the
flower bunch ranges from 1 to 3 cm. Unlike lotus which grows in water,
Brahm kamal grows on hard rocks in the cold and dry reaches of Middle and
Greater Himalaya. It is found at the height of 3500 to 5500 mts. And grows in
cold air and ice-bound arena, and grows due to warmth created by the leaves.
It is considered holy flower with and offered to different gods including to
Badrinath. Out of total 410 species 61 are found in India and 24 species are
found in Uttarakhand. Apart from Kashmir to Sikkim Himalaya, it is also
Page 5


State
 
Symbols
 
of
 
Uttarakhand
After formation of the state in 2001, state symbols which forms part of its
identity were adopted. It is the duty of every individual of the state to respect,
preserve, protect and cherish these symbols.
State Animal- Musk Deer
Musk Deer (kasturi mrig) is a species found in higher reaches of Himalaya. It
is considered most primitive among deer family, and is primitive to even
‘true deer’ belonging to family Cervidae. Its family is Moschidae and genus
is Moschus. Since ancient times, Ayurveda and Tibetan medicines have used
their scent glands for preparing medicines, perfums and cosmetics. There are
four main species of Musk deer depending upon whether it is found in
Russia, Nepal,China or India. In India it is found in Himalaya over the
altitude of 2500m. Even though it belongs to deer family (Moschidae), Musk
Deer is unique and different from common deer. Its physical built up, life
cycle, food habits are different. It eats certains herbs and leave, its colour is
brown with yellowish black spot on it. Weighing 10 to 15 kg its height is
much shorter than that of common deer. Male Musk deer has sharp pointed
teeth bent inwards with length between 7 and10 cm, but colour of male and
female is same. Male Musk deer uses these teeth for defence and digging up
herbs. Its tail is hairless.
Musk Deer does not have horns and has 4 hooves on its foot. The Musk is
only found in male and its starts forming when deer attains age of 1 year. One
deer carries around 30 to 45 grams of musk. It is secreted from a gland
located in lower abdominal part near the genitals. The secretion is collected
in bag like structure below abdominal skin. Its price is very high which varies
from $65-75 per gram in international market. This high price is responsible
for illegal poaching of Musk Deer. Since there is not much difference
between physical appearance of male and female, females also get killed
despite carrying no musk.The Musk deer has very good smelling power
because of which it senses the danger quickly but its tendency to look back
after running 40-50 m proves fatal for it. They prefer to live alone, meeting
only during mating season. During mating season male deer chooses a
particular place for excretion, when his musk is secreted which is used by
female deer to locate prospective mate. November – December is generally
the mationg season while May-June is the period when offsprings are
born.The Musk Deer feeds on oak and bamboo leaves and other herbs. It
seeks food in places where there is no possibility of human
encroachment.Those found in Uttarakhand has very intense fragarance
generating huge international demand. They were once found all over
Himalaya but now limited to higher reaches of Chamoli, Pithoragarh and
Uttarkashi districts.
Considering the serious decline in population of Musk deer, Central
Government has included it in protected species category. The ministry of
Health and Family welfare has intiated steps for captive breeding of Musk
deer. Government has setup Musk Deer Reaserch Centre in Mahrudi,
Pithoragarh in 1974 and Musk Deer Breeding Centre at Kanchla Kharak
Mandal (Gopeshwar). Some parts of Nanda Devi National Park have been
declared protected area for Musk Deer. The forest areas of Didihat,
Dharchula, and Munsyari tehsil of Pithoragarh have been declared ‘Askot
Musk Deer Park’ an ordinance for which was issued in 1986. It is managed
by Corbett National Park. Unfortunately despite these efforts population of
Musk Deer is declining due to poor management of these centres.Musk is
widely used in Pharmaceutical industry to prepare medicines to cure
Asthama, epilepsy, typhoid, and heart ailments. The major importers Musk
are japan and France while major exporter is China.For 1kg of Musk, 80 deer
have to be slaughtered.
State Insignia
The Ashoka Pillar on top of range of three mountains and waves of river
Ganga at its bottom encompassed within a circular ring has been designed as
state Insignia which is used in all official documents of Government of
Uttarakhand.
State Bird- Monal
Monal (Lophophorous impejanus) is found at the height of 8 to 15 thousnd
feet in Himalaya. It is also called Imperial Monal. It belongs to Lophophorus
of the Pheasant family Phasianidae. Besides Uttarakhand, It is also found in
Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Kashmir. It is also called
Munyal. Monal has a coloured plumage, golden feathers, beautiful white
spots near the ears and a brown coloured tail. The male has a beautiful
plumage over its head like that of a peacock. Male is more beautiful as
compared to female. Its height ranges from 5 inches to one and a half feet. It
is usually blue, green, dark brown or pink in colour. It has a sparkling blue
coloured neck. It is also known as Himalayan Peacock. It usually lives in
high reaches but during snowfall it comes down to valley where they face
danger of poaching. It saves Musk Deer from hunters by alerting them.It
never builds a nest and lays eggs under open sky, inside the snow cover. At a
time it lays maximum 4 eggs. It feeds on algae deposits on the branches of
trees and on the roots of various herbs. It usually walks but sensing danger it
may also fly. Monal is fond of potato and is often killed in potato fields. Its
coloured skin fetches good price. Britishers used to hunt and display the
monal corpse which does not deteriorate even after long time. Shephards boil
its eggs and consume it to ward off extreme cold.
Monal is generally found in Munsyari tehsil of Pithoragarh district in
Khaliyadhar, Khaliya top, Kholta, Hunsling, Lenga, Panchuli Valley and
Nakuridhura. It has also been recognized as State Bird of Himanchal Pradesh
and Nepal. An experiment on captive breeding of monal was made at Nanda
Devi National Park in Kanchula Khark (Gopeshwar) but it didn’t succeed.
Monal is also called ‘Crown of Himalayan Birds’ and its hunting is
completely banned under Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Yet its population
has been continuously declining.
State Tree- Buransh
Buransh (Rhododendron) is the state flower of Uttarakhand. It blooms in the
month of falgun near the festival of Holi. It is an evergreen tree and called
Adarwal in Jammu and Kashmir, Buransho in Himanchal Pradesh and
Buransh in Uttarakhand. In India Rohododendron is found in entire
Himalayan region from J&K to Eastern Himalaya. It is also found in Nilgiri
Hills, in Hackegala in Srilanka, in Asia Minor, Bhutan, Nepal etc. more than
600 species of Rhododendron have been identified till date. It grows at an
altitude of 5000 to 11000 feet. It grows upto the height of 20 to 25 feet with a
circumference of 5 to 6 feet.In Kumaun region Buransh is found in forests of
Nainital, Dhari, Ramgarh, Okhalkanda, Devidhra, Mornola, Champawat,
Lohaghat, Salam region of Almora, Berinag, Didihat, Thalkedar, Ranikhet,
Barakot, Narayan Nagar etc. in Garhwal it is found in Badrinath, Kedarnath,
Dudhatoli, Uttarkashi, Joshimath, Tunganath, Gwaldam, Mussoorie,
Chakrata, Lansdown, Pauri, Dhanaulti, Ghansali, Tehri etc. its counterpart
growing in tropical regions belongs to sub-genus Vireya.
Rohododendron tree has a brown to light red bark and flower has
sparkingly beautiful red to dark red colour. Because of this dark red colour it
is called ‘Flame of the Forest’. Buransh coexists with Oak and Deodar trees
and exchange rich minerals.Buransh also has cultural signinficance. Sumitra
Nandan Pant has composed several poems on it. In Jaunsar Bawar of
Dehradun flowering of Buransh signals start of Bissu festival. On the
occasion of Makar Sankranti a flower festival with Buransh is celebrated both
in Kumaun and Garhwal. By the festival of Baisakhi the flowering reaches its
peak when one can enjoy it completely.Buransh also has medicinal and
commercial value. It contains water which carries rich minerals valuable for
human health. Maharshi Charak in Charak Samhita has discussed its
medicinal use in Ayurveda at length. It is useful for heart related ailments and
for high blood pressure. Dried wood of Buransh tree is used for making
wooden utensils used as milk, curd, ghee containers called Theki and
Dori.Unfortunately there has been uncontrolled felling of this tree specialy
during British period. Chir forests have now replaced it in lower reaches.
Forest department has launched several plantation drives for its regeneration
but these have not succeeded much. Now techniques like tissue culture,
nursery plantation are being used for its conservation. The tree is a protected
species under Forest Act of 1974.
State Flower- Brahm Kamal
Brahm Kamal (Sausaria obvellata) a perennial plant is the state flower of
Uttarakhand. It belongs to sunflower family. It has light yellowish coloured
leaves surrounding a bunch of purple coloured flowers. The length of the
flower bunch ranges from 1 to 3 cm. Unlike lotus which grows in water,
Brahm kamal grows on hard rocks in the cold and dry reaches of Middle and
Greater Himalaya. It is found at the height of 3500 to 5500 mts. And grows in
cold air and ice-bound arena, and grows due to warmth created by the leaves.
It is considered holy flower with and offered to different gods including to
Badrinath. Out of total 410 species 61 are found in India and 24 species are
found in Uttarakhand. Apart from Kashmir to Sikkim Himalaya, it is also
found in Nepal, China, Pakistan, Australia, Eurasia and North America. In
Uttarakhand Bramha Kamal is found in Tons valley, Har-ki-dun, Dodital,
Yamunotri, Gangotri,of Uttarkashi, Khatling glacier of Tehri Garhwal, Dyara
Bugyal of Uttarkashi, Valley of Flowers, Rudranath, Kedarnath valley,
Tungnath, Nandadevi National Park, Roop Kund, Kafni glacier of
Bageshwar, Sundardhunga, Pindari and Milam glaciers and in Khaliyatop
region of Pithoragarh districts. Brahm Kamal also has religious and cultural
significance. It is said that the flower is very dear to Lord Brahma, it is
offered to the ritual worship of goddess Nanda Devi. The flower comes to
full bloom in the months of August and September which is also the period of
Nanda Devi festival in the state.Brahm Kamal also has medicinal value. The
roots of the plant are used to prepare lotion to apply to the bruises, aching
joints and broken bones. It is also beneficial for abdominal problems, cough
and cold and to cure urinal disorder. Since flower is found in higher reaches
so it is inaccessible and thus is not plundered as other vegetation of the state.
Only during Nanda Jat Yatra which is attended by thousands of devotees this
flower is plucked in large numbers.