Our temperate forests have various edible mushrooms like Boletus edulis, (Ghogga), Calvatia gigantea (Ban Dogi), Helvella crispa, (Kanna Guchhu) Morchella esculenta, (Guchhi) Pleurotus eryngii, (Dheengri), Ramaria formosa (Shatrola) and Sparassis crispa (Sehri) Sub-tropical belt of Jammu has very delicious termitomyces mushroom (Tartaaloo).
Among birds, unique species like Ocyceros birostris (Grey) Hornbill, vern. Doa), Streptopelia orientalis (Rufous Turtle Dove, vern. Kalmoonha), Dendrocitta vagabunda (Treepie, vern. Laangardumba), Treron spenura (Green Pigeon, vern. Preu) are seen in our city of Jammu as well as in outskirts. Smaller birds like Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers, Tailor birds, Weaver birds, Wagtails buchchats, Warblers, Bee-eaters, wheatears, Larks, are also quite common. In our coniferous forests of Sudhmahadev and Batote Bhaderwah, large sized brilliantly coloured Pheasants are very attractive birds. Monal pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus, vern, Neel), Tragopan Pheasant (vern. Bindas), Kaleej Pheasant (Lophura leucomelana, vern, Kolsa), Cheer Pheasnat (Catreus wallichii, vern, Reear) etc are all elegant but presently in threatened category and in need of very stringent protection measures. Their unlawful shooting need to be put under stricter surveillance. Vultures (Gyps bengalensis) are also on the decline as a consequence of widespread use of Diclofenac veterinary medicine.
Wild sheep and goats are unique to J&k. Many species exist in the cold desert area of Ladakh. Capra ibex (vern. Kill Bakri) is confined to precipitous cliffs and ridges in the mountains. Capra falconeri (vern. Markhor) inhabits pine and birch forests of Jammu and Kashmir. Its presence in Poonchh area became a subject of hot discussion during the initiatio of Mughal road to Srinagar via. Poonchh. Hirpora wldlife sanctuary is known for Markhor population and need foolproof protection if it is to be saved for future.
Among fishes, Mahseer (Tor putitora) is unique to River Tawi. Many species of the River Tawi are the source of livelihood for the local fishermen but due to overexploitation of water resources, dwindling green forests and dumping of garbage and untreated sewage into the river it has resulted into the dwindling of fish catch for the locals. Many species like Lalai (Heteropneustes fossilis), Keengar (Mystus vittatus), Tippar (Puntius conchonius), Trakla (xenentodon cancila), Kangi (Trichogaster fasciatus), Mallee (Wallago attu) have already faced the brunt of urbanization and industrialization in Jammu region. Mountain streams harbours various trouts like Schizothorax richaradsoni and Schizothorax lacustris. Triplophysa kashmirensis and Triplophysa ladacensis (Ladakh Loach) are found in Kashmir and Ladakh region of our state.
Flora and fauna is the solid backbone of our culture and many of our traditions and rituals are intimately associated with plants and animals. Loosing one flagship species from an ecosystem leads to undesirable lsos of many other specis down the food chain and thus erodes our economy as well as cultural ethos.
Earth Summit of Rio-de-Janeiro of 1992 highlighted this underlying link between man and Biodiversity and Biodiversity convention became the major milestone in the history of conservation of flora and fauna. Biodiversity Act of 2002 got the consent of Parliament in 2005 and it is now mandatory to take measures to protect biodiversity in totality to have equitable distribution of benefits among all stakeholders including local communities and document traditional knowledge ofall ethnic groups. State Biodiversity Board need to be established at the earliest in J&K to care of all concerns related to flora and fauna.
Tags: anantag, Ban Dogi, Boletus edulis, Calvatia gigantea, Dheengri, forests, Guchhi, Helvella crispa, Holidays, jammu, Kanna Guchhu, kashmir, ladakh, larks, leh, Morchella esculenta, Pleurotus eryngii, Ram, Ramaria formosa, Sehri, Shatrola, Sparassis crispa, wheatears, wildlife
