Endemic Animal Species of Jammu & Kashmir

 

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Endemic Animal Species of Jammu & Kashmir

By Home Academy

Jammu & Kashmir, located in the Western Himalaya, is home to several unique and endemic animal species. At least seven key species are found only in this region, thriving in its dense forests and mountainous terrain. Many of these species are critically endangered or threatened, highlighting the ecological importance of the region.

Key Endemic Species in Jammu & Kashmir

Species	Scientific Name	Status	Habitat	Key Facts
Kashmir Stag (Hangul)	Cervus hanglu hanglu	Critically Endangered	Dachigam National Park	State animal; population recovering slowly from historic decline
Kashmir Grey Langur	Semnopithecus ajax	Threatened	Forested mountains	Native monkey species of the Western Himalaya
Kashmir Musk Deer	Moschus cupreus	Endangered	Alpine & subalpine forests	Poached for musk glands; secretive and nocturnal
Kashmir Hill Partridge	Arborophila torqueola	Vulnerable	Forest understory	Small bird species endemic to J&K
Markhor	Capra falconeri	Endangered	Steep mountainous terrains	Large wild goat; significant conservation efforts ongoing
Western Tragopan	Tragopan melanocephalus	Endangered	Temperate forests	Colorful pheasant species, restricted to Western Himalaya
Cheer Pheasant	Catreus wallichii	Vulnerable	Alpine and subalpine scrub	Rare pheasant species in the region
White-throated Tit	Aegithalos niveogularis	Endangered	Temperate forests	Small endemic bird
Kashmir Nuthatch	Sitta cashmirensis	Vulnerable	Coniferous forests	Endemic to higher altitudes of Kashmir
White-cheeked Nuthatch	Sitta leucopsis	Vulnerable	Coniferous forests	Found in Western Himalaya
Orange Bullfinch	Pyrrhula aurantiaca	Endangered	Temperate forests	Small bird endemic to Kashmir region
Spectacled Finch	Callacanthis burtoni	Vulnerable	Himalayan scrub and forests	Recognizable by its unique facial markings

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Fauna Diversity Overview

• Jammu & Kashmir hosts approximately 16% of India’s total fauna.

• About 867 vertebrate species are recorded, including 112 mammals and 555 birds.

• Other notable species include the Brown Bear, Snow Leopard, and Tibetan Antelope.

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Key Threats

• Habitat Loss: Deforestation and human encroachment.

• Poaching: Hunting for body parts, meat, or trade.

• Climate Change: Altered habitats affecting survival.

• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Livestock grazing and settlement expansion.

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Conservation Efforts

• Many endemic species are listed under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act.

• Protected areas like Dachigam National Park and Tral Wildlife Sanctuary provide safe habitats.

• Anti-poaching measures and Conservation Breeding Centres have contributed to minor population recoveries.

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MCQs for Exams

1. Which of the following is the state animal of Jammu & Kashmir?
   A) Markhor
   B) Kashmir Stag (Hangul)
   C) Kashmir Musk Deer
   D) Snow Leopard
   Answer: B) Kashmir Stag (Hangul)

2. How many vertebrate species are recorded in Jammu & Kashmir?
   A) 555
   B) 112
   C) 867
   D) 1000
   Answer: C) 867

3. Which of the following bird species is endemic to the Western Himalaya and found in J&K?
   A) Western Tragopan
   B) Peacock
   C) Crow
   D) Sparrow
   Answer: A) Western Tragopan

4. The primary threats to endemic species in J&K include:
   A) Habitat loss, poaching, and climate change
   B) Overfishing and water pollution
   C) Noise pollution and urbanization
   D) Invasive plants only
   Answer: A) Habitat loss, poaching, and climate change

5. Which large wild goat species endemic to J&K is found in steep mountainous terrains?
   A) Nilgiri Tahr
   B) Markhor
   C) Himalayan Ibex
   D) Blue Sheep
   Answer: markhor