In the recent news, it was announced that Ladakh, a Union Territory (UT) of India, has chosen Snow Leopard and Black-Necked Crane as its state animal and bird respectively. This decision came two years following its separation from the former State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Now let’s delve deeper to understand more about these species and their association with Ladakh.
Snow Leopard: An Indicator of Mountain Ecosystem Health
The Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia), due to its position at the top of the food web, is seen as a sign of the health of the mountain ecosystems it inhabits. These leopards are found in the mountainous regions of central and southern Asia and have a prominent presence in various parts of India like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Hemis in Ladakh, known as the ‘Snow Leopard capital of the world’ houses the most substantial national park in India and boasts a significant presence of the species.
However, it’s not all smooth sailing for the Snow Leopards. They face numerous threats such as a decrease in prey populations, illegal poaching, increased human infiltration into their habitat, and the illicit trade of wildlife parts and products. Currently listed as “Vulnerable” by IUCN, they are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and are also listed in the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
Black-Necked Crane: Symbol of Ladakh’s Wildlife
Moving on to Ladakh’s State bird, the Black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis), also referred to as Tibetan crane, is a medium-sized crane known for its red crown. Breeding primarily in the high-altitude wetlands of the Tibetan plateau, Sichuan, and eastern Ladakh, these cranes move to lower altitudes during winter.
Like the Snow Leopard, this species also faces various threats such as damage to eggs and chicks by feral dogs, habitat loss due to human interference, and an increased grazing pressure near their wetland homes. The Black-Necked Crane falls under the Near Threatened category of the IUCN Red List and enjoys protection status under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Ladakh: A Brief Overview
Established as a Union Territory on 31st October 2019 through the enactment of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, Ladakh was earlier part of the Jammu and Kashmir state. It is the largest yet the second least populous union territory of India.
Encompassing the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram Range to the north and the primary Great Himalayas to the south, Ladakh’s eastern end consists of the uninhabited Aksai Chin Plains, claimed by the Indian government but presently under Chinese control since 1962.
Leh, followed by Kargil, are the largest towns in Ladakh, each heading separate districts. Leh district hosts the Indus, Shyok, and Nubra river valleys, while the Kargil district comprises the Suru, Dras and Zanskar river valleys.
In 2020, the Indo-Chinese troops were involved in a brief standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Naku La and near Pangong Tso Lake, both locations in eastern Ladakh. However, recent reports suggest that the two nations have agreed in principle to disengage their troops at a key patrol point in this region.
