TYPES OF NATURAL VEGETATION IN J&K-

1) SUBTROPICAL FORESTS
2) TEMPERATE FORESTS
3) ALPINE FORESTS
4) XEROPHYTIC VEGETATION

FLORA

The flora of Himalayan Kashmir comprises about 3,054 species. About 880 species are found in
Ladakh. The flora of the Jammu district comprises 506 species. These figures include only the
angiosperms, gymnosperms and pteridophytes. The species lists of different districts are
being continually updated in taxonomic publications. The lower plants like fungi and algae
have not been studied exhaustively; information on the micro-flora of isolated regions is
available for some plant orders and families only. The plants of the western Himalayas are
well known for their medicinal properties.

CHINAR-


 ROWS UPTO 25 m.
  LOCALLY KNOWN AS “ BOOUNE”
  IT IS “KING OF TREES” IN KASHMIR.
  ITS FUEL HAS A VERY HIGH CALORIFIC VALUE.
  NASEEM BAGH IN SRINAGAR IS FAMOUS FOR CHINAR.
 Scientific name – Plantanus Orientalis.
 It is deciduous trees

PINE TREE-
  It is found in Pir Panjal Range.
  They thrive in full sun and poor soil.
  In recent s these trees become very popular because they are used in
ornaments etc. by the  kashmeries. 

SILVER FIR-
 This tree could reach to the height of 60 metres.
  Scientific name – Abies Webbiana
  It is a tall and everegreen tree having strong branches. 
  Its leaves are used to treat mild headache and relieve mental stress.
 DEODAR TREE-

 Scientific name – Cedrus Deodara. 

  It is a large evergreen tree reaching to a height of 40 – 50 m.
 Its leaves are needle like mostly 2.5 – 5 cm
 Derives from sanskrit term “ devadaru” which means “ woods of the gods”.
 Its wood is in great demand as building material because of its durability, rot –
resistant character and fine. It is a ideal wood for constructing house boat in
Srinagar

FAUNA-

The fauna of Jammu and Kashmir is diverse due to its unique location and climatic condition.
About 16% of the Indian mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies are presented in
the state. Birds contribute much to the chordate diversity following by mammals, reptiles,
fishes and amphibians. The state is home to about 75 species of mammals, besides several
sub-species, belonging to 54 genera, 21 families and 8 orders. Carnivores represent 32% of the
total mammalian fauna in the state. Of the 19 species of the ungulates reported from the
state, 13 have been listed as globally threatened.

Hangul-
 Scientific name – Cervus Elaphus Hanglu. 
  Known as Kashmiri Stag or Kashmiri Red Deer.
  Found in Dachigam National Park.
  IUCN status - Critically Endangered .
 Project Hangul was initiated in 1970.

Musk deer-

 Scientific name – Moschus Chrysagaster

 IUCN status – Endangered
 Commonly found in kishtwar National Park. 
 Jammu & Limber Wildlife Sanctuary, Kashmir.
 They are Generally Hunted for their Scented glands, which are commonly
used in Perfumes.
 Markhor-
 Scientific Name – Capra falconeri. 
  IUCN status -Critically Endangered. 
 National Animal of Pakistan.It is known as Screw Horn or Screw Horned Goat.
 Pir Panjal Markhor is the Largest wild goat in the world.
  Commonly sighted in Limber , Lachipora and Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary. 
IBEX-
 IUCN status – Least Concern. 
 Scientific Name – Capra Ibex. 
  Ibex are very nimble. They can Jump moret han 6 feet. 
 A dark Brown Goat with dull white saddle patch.
 Sighted at kanji Wildlife Sanctuary And Hemis and Kishtwar National Park.
 Breeding Period for Ibex is known as Rut.

Snow leopard-

 IUCN status – Vulnerable. 

  Scientific Name – Panthera Uncia or Uncia. 
 Also known as OUNCE.
 The tail is very thick due to fat storage. It act as a blanket to protect its face
when asleep.

Black necked crane –

 Scientific Name – Grus Antigone. 

  IUCN STATUS - VULNERABLE.
 Found in and remote parts of India. Tibetian plateau. 
  Regularly seen in Tso – moriri Lake ,Ladakh.
  Known as Tibetan Crane.

Hinalayam tahr-
 Scientific name – Himitragus Jemlahicus. 
  Natural enemies are Snow leopord. 
  IUCN status - Near threatened. 
 It has dense , reddish brown wooly coat with thick undercoat.
 Ocassionally  found in Kishtwar National Park , Jammu.