SAARC was established with an aim for improving the mutual harmony and peace in the South Asian region. SAARC ( South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ) consists of Pakistan, India, Afghanistan , Bangladesh, Sri Lanka , Bhutan , Nepal and Maldives. We’ll discuss in this article about the officially declared National birds of the SAARC countries;

1- Chakor or Chukar : The National Bird of Pakistan

Chakor or Chukar is the national bird of Pakistan ( Image : Wildxplorer )

Chakor (Alectoris Chukar) is a symbol of passionate but unreciprocated love in Indian sub continent. Chakor or Chukar is a chunky 32-35 cm long bird of amazing color scheme like brown back, grey breast, and sandy color belly. While the face is white and legs are red. Its tail consists of 14 feathers. It is known to be bewitched by the moon and for its constant gaze at moon. Chakor belongs to the pheasant family Phasianidae and is a native bird  of Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Nepal, Turkey and Kashmir range. Chakor has been declared as the national bird of Pakistan.

2- Indian Peafowl ( Peacock ) : The National Bird of India

Blue or the Indian Peafowl is the national bird of India ( Image : Mel Stoutsenberger )

Indian Peafowl or the blue Peafowl is a popular species of the peacock family which is known for its exotic colors and beauty. The Indian Peafowl has so much significance in the Hindu religion as well as the Indian culture. The Indian peafowl or Blue peafowl is scientifically known as Pavo cristatus and it is the endemic bird of South Asia. The male Indian Peafowl is more graceful and elegant than the female and they have a very high vocalization.  This bird was declared as the national bird of India in 1963 and in the Hindu mythology, many Hindu deities are associated with the Indian Peafowl.

3- Magpie Robin ( Doel ) : The National Bird of Bangladesh

Oriental Magpie Robin ( National Bird of Sri Lanka ) Image Courtesy : flickr

Doel is a marvelous bird endemic to the South East Asia. Doel is word of Bengali language as it is commonly known as Magpie Robin. Magpie Robin or Doel is declared as the national bird of Bangladesh where it s extremely popular for its singing vocalization and it is widespread throughout the rural areas of Bangladesh. They are distinctive black and white birds with a long tail that is held upright as they forage on the ground or perch conspicuously. The scientific name of the Magpie Robin or Doel is Copsychus saularis and they are kept as favorite cagebird in this part of the world.

4- Raven (Jarog) : The National Bird of Bhutan

Raven or Doel is the national bird of Bhutan ( Image: Johanna van de Woestijne )

Raven is considered a very modest bird in Bhutan which actually represents “Jarog Dongchen“, one of the most powerful deities in the Bhutanese culture. The scientific name of Raven is “Corvus Corax Tibetanus” and it is quite similar to the Crow or Corvus Macrorhynchos that is also common in Bhutan. Raven is much larger than a crow and it is about 28 inches long. Ravens are actually native to high altitudes of Tibet, Sikkim, Ladakh and Bhutan. Both the male and female Ravens are alike and they are in dark bluish black color. The Raven is called “Jarog” in the Bhutanese language and is declared as the national bird of Bhutan.

5. Himalayan Monal ( Danphe ) : The National Bird of Nepal

The Himalayan Monal or Danphe is the national bird of Nepal ( Image : Ian MC1 flickr )

The Himalayan Monal is a stunning and bright colored bird from the pheasant family which is called as Danphe or Danfe in the local Nepali  language. The Himalayan Monal or Danphe become so much showy when they spread their exotic feathers while dancing and they are scientifically known as Lophophorus impejanus. The approximate length of an adult Himalayan Monal is about 70 cm and the weight of males and females range between 1980-2380g and 1800-2150g respectively. Himalayan Monal is also the national bird of  Nepal.

6- Sri Lankan Junglefowl : The National Bird of Sri Lanka

Srilankan Junglefowl is the National bird of Srilanka ( Image: Niluka De Silva )

Junglefowl is a large and beautiful ground bird which is endemic to India , Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Sri Lankan Junglefowl is one of the four main species of Junglefowl and it is biologically named as Gallus lafayetii. Junglefowls love to reside in the dense shrublands and trees and they are commonly found in the forests of Sri Lanka.  The most famous place in Sri Lanka for the population of Junglefowls is Sinharaja.  The male Sri Lankan Junglefowl is much larger than the female, with more vivid plumage and a highly exaggerated wattle and comb. Sri Lankan Junglefowl is the national bird of Sri Lanka.

In an earlier article, we told you about the National Flowers of the SAARC countries. SAARC is the abbreviation of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. This Association comprising of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives was founded in 1963 with an aim of the development of the socio economics along with education and technology in this region. SAARC has also defined the other areas of working in its charter that include agriculture and rural, biotechnology, culture, energy, environment, economy and trade, finance, funding mechanism, human resource development, poverty alleviation, people to people contact, security aspects, social development, science and technology, communications, and tourism.

Like many other countries of the world, the SAARC countries have also classified their national animals. The motive behind this is to create the awareness for the protection of the rare and endemic animal species in their respective areas. The National Animals of the SAARC countries are as under ;

1- Markhor : The National Animal of Pakistan

Markhor: The National Animal of Pakistan ( Image :Mike McBride )

Markhor , the national animal of Pakistan, a large specie of wild goat is an indigenous mammal of Afghanistan , Pakistan ( Gilgit Baltistan , Hunza Nagar Valleys and Kashmir regions ) , some parts of North India , Southern Tajikistan and Southern Uzbekistan. The Markhor is biologically known as Capra falconeri a noun which literally means “large Himalayan goat with large spiraled horns”.

2- Bengal Tiger : The National Animal of India and Bangladesh

The Royal Bengal Ttiger is the national animal of India & Bangladesh ( Image ; Siddhartha Lammata )

Bengal Tiger, the beautiful big cat of South Asia is scientifically known as Panthera tigris tigris and it is famous for its unique light orange coat and dark brown stripes. Although it not the biggest big cat of the world, yet it is a huge animal which might weigh up to 600 pounds. Bengal Tiger has a very elegant body structure with the legs that are slender. Bengal Tiger is also known as the ” Royal Bengal Tiger ” and it is the national animal of both India and Bangladesh.

3- COW: The National Animal of Nepal

The domesticated Cow is the national animal of Nepal ( Image : Philippe Tarbouriech )

Cow is the national animal of Nepal. This domesticated ungulate which is raised as livestock for meat and milk has so much significance in India and Nepal. Most of the Hindus living in Nepal believe the Cow as the goddess of wealth (Goddess Laxmi). They worship the Cow and the killing of Cow is strongly prohibited in Nepal.  The Cow belongs to the class Mammalia and the family Bovidae scientifically.

4- Takin : The National Animal of Bhutan

Takin is the National animal Bhutan ( Image : Juan Carlos Madrigal )

Takin is a large goat like antelope which is the national animal of Bhutan. Takins are found from forested valleys to rocky, grass covered alpine zones, at altitudes of between 1,000 and 4,500 metres above sea level. The coat of Takin consists of thick golden wool and that’s why they are also considered the relatives of sheep. Takin has also small horns which run parallel to the skull. The scientific name of Takin is Budorcas taxicolor. 

5- Snow Leopard: National Animal of Afghanistan

Snow Leopard: The national animal of Afghanistan (By Alejandro Pérez)

Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia) is one of the rarest specie of big cats existing in the world. It is found between 3,000 and 5,500 meters  above sea level in the high and snowy mountain ranges of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia,Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Snow Leopard is the national animal of Afghanistan.

* The other two countries from SAARC , Sri Lanka and Maldives have not officially declared any national animal ( Mammal ).

Different countries of the world select their endemic plants or flowers to represent their geographical location. A flower was used primarily by Canada and Australia as the national symbol and later it was followed in many countries of the world. Some countries have followed their centuries old historic or religious significance of any particular flower of plant and adopted that officially. The SAARC ( South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ) countries including Pakistan, India , Afghanistan, Sri Lanka , Bangladesh , Nepal , Bhutan and Maldives have also declared their National Flowers. Following is the respective detail of the National Flowers of SAARC countries of the world;

1- National Flower of Pakistan ( Common Jasmine )

Jasmine ( Chameli ) The National Flower of Pakistan

In Pakistan, this flower is called as ‘ Yasmin ‘ which is a Persian word meaning ” A Gift of Nature”. In the local language, Jasmine is also known as ‘Chanbeli‘ . Pakistan has ideal warm and tropical climate foe the growth of all of the species of Jasmine. The exotic color of Jasmine is considered as the symbol of peace. With the fantastic fragrance and different petals together, Jasmine symbolizes the unity of the people of different cultures and languages in Pakistan.

2- National Flower of India ( Lotus )

Lotus : National Flower of India

Lotus is considered a very sacred flower in India and the evidence for their affiliation with the Indian culture and Hinduism can be found from their history and ancient Indian mythology. According to the Hindu beliefs, the Lotus symbolises divinity, fertility, wealth, knowledge and  enlightenment. Although Lotus is commonly known as “Water Lily”, but in India it is known as Lotus. This aquatic plant is grown in small water bodies throughout in India and the flower floats on broad leaves.

3- National Flower of Sri Lanka ( Blue Water Lily )

Blue Water Lily or Purple Water Lily was declared as the National Flower of Sri Lanka on February 26, 1986. In the local language, this flower is known as Nil Mahanel and the scientific name of this flower is ‘Nympheae Stelleta’. Blue Water Lily symbolizes truth, purity and discipline and it has tremendous significance in Buddhism. Normally this magnificent flower is grown in shallow waters and it is found in all parts of Sri Lanka.

4- National Flower of Bangladesh (White Water Lily)

White Water Lily : The National flower of Bangladesh

The national flower of Bangladesh represents peace and lovely nature. This is known as “Shalpa” in the local Bengali language. Bangladesh is a land of rivers, lakes and streams. So the Whitle Water Lily is found everywhere in the country. White Water Lily or Shalpa contains numerous petals which represent several rivers of Bangladesh. Shapla is also a favorite food tem for the people of Bangladesh; especially the stem and fruit of this plant are liked a lot for eating.

5- National Flower of Nepal (Rhododendron arboreum )

National Flower of Nepal ( Image by Kea660 on flickr )

This bright and red flower is produced by a small tree which is endemic to South Asia. This is the national flower of Nepal. The name denotes “tending to be woody or growing in a tree-like form”. These shrubs like trees are scattered in the hilly area of Nepal and the beautiful flowers blossom in the Spring Season. This plant is suitable for woodland gardens. The Mountains of Nepal become colorful like red, white or pink during the blooming season of Rhododendron. ‘This flower is known as ‘Lali Gurans’ in the Nepali language.

6- National Flower of Bhutan (Blue Poppy)

Blue Poppy : The National Flower of Bhutan ( By: Dhillan Chandramowli)

The National Flower of Bhutan is locally knows as “Euitgeal Metog Hoem” but scientifically it called as Meconopsis grandis. Commonly this splendid flower is known as “Blue Poppy” which is grown on higher altitude. The plant of Blue Poppy is a rare species and its growth has been severely depleted. Blue Poppy is a hardy perennial flowering plant. It is herbaceous and blooms in summer. The flowers are huge and are about 4 to 5 inches in diameter.  Despite its pretty and delicate appearance the blue poppy has the power to endure harsh weather, especially winter, and blooms to its full beauty in spring.

7- The National Flower of Maldives (Pink Rose)

Pink Rose "National Flower of Maldives" ( Image : Sally Nelson )

The people of Maldives give a high regard to Finifenmaa which is known as Pink Rose in general. From more than 100 species of the family Rosaceae the Pink Rose is also a member and the climate of Maldives is highly suitable for its growth. The Pink Rose is botanically identified as Rose polyantha and it was declared as the National Flower of Maldives on 25th July 1985.

8. The National Flower of Afghanistan ( Tulip )

Tulip is the National flower of Afghanistan

Tulip is considered the national flower of Afghanistan. Although Tulip is very much associated with Netherlands and other European countries but only few of us know that this magnificent flower was originated in the Pamir and Hindukush mountain ranges of Afghanistan and central Asia.  In the Persian empire Tulip was named as “Laleh” and it was grown  in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and other parts of Central Asia.