Department of Wildlife Protection, Government of Jammu and Kashmir
Wildlife Protection · Jammu & Kashmir

Life across every landscape.

From subtropical forests to alpine meadows and migratory wetlands, Jammu & Kashmir supports an exceptional concentration of plant and animal life.

4,440 plant species
571 animal species
50 protected landscapes
J&K · UT-wide

Biodiversity
at a glance.

Consolidated list of biodiversity of ut of jammu and kashmir In comparison to rest of india.

GroupApprox. for J&K UTApprox. for India% of J&K
(vs India)
Plants4,440 species (plants)> 45,000 species (plants)9.9%
Mammals111 species455 species (mammals)24.4%
Birds608 species1,382 species (birds)44.0%
Reptiles68+ species (but possibly higher)700+ species and subspecies9.7%
Amphibians14+ species300–400 species (amphibians)3.5%
Butterflies>308 species>1,500 species33.3%
Fishes>100 species3,300+ species (fishes)3.0%
Flagship mammals

From valley forests to the high Himalaya.

The protected-area network holds the Hangul’s principal stronghold, Markhor country in the northwest, and remote alpine habitat for Musk Deer, Ibex, bears and large mountain carnivores.

Explore rare mammals →
Forest & valley

Hangul · Common Leopard · Asiatic Black Bear

Dachigam anchors the Hangul landscape, while leopards and black bears occur across many forested reserves.

Pir Panjal

Markhor · Musk Deer · Himalayan Goral

Kazinag, Hirpora, Lachipora and Limber form a key mountain landscape for threatened ungulates.

High altitude

Snow Leopard · Ibex · Brown Bear

Cold, rugged terrain and alpine corridors support species adapted to the region’s highest elevations.

Himalayan TahrHimalayan SerowKashmir Grey LangurLong-tailed MarmotYellow-throated MartenRoyle’s PikaRed FoxJungle Cat
Birdlife across habitats

Forest voices, mountain wings and winter arrivals.

01

Pheasants & partridges

Monal Pheasant, Koklas Pheasant, Western Tragopan, Himalayan Snowcock, Chakor, Grey Francolin, Red Jungle Fowl and Common Peafowl.

02

Raptors

Golden Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, Bearded Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, Black-eared Kite and Sparrowhawk.

03

Waterbirds

Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Wigeon, Pochards, Greylag Goose, Bar-headed Goose, Shoveler and Garganey.

04

Woodland & river birds

Kashmir Flycatcher, Paradise Flycatcher, Kashmir Woodpecker, Golden Oriole, kingfishers, rollers, bulbuls and finches.