The importance of biodiversity cannot be overlooked. It renders socio-economic, environmental benefits in different manifestations and forms. Apart from occurrence, status, significance and so many tangible and intangible benefits that biodiversity renders, it has been a symbol of recognition of many countries in the world.

Here we will have a close look at the faunal and floral national symbols of our dear country, they include markhor (our national animal), chakor (our national bird), deodar (our national tree) and jasmine (our national flower). We are now recognised throughout the world due to these floral and faunal species.

However, despite of their socio-economic and environmental significance, these plants and animals face a number of problems. We need to protect our national symbols of pride in order to maintain our national dignity and identity. Here are a few details about these symbols.

Our national animal

Markhor (Capra falconeri) is a majestic mountain wild goat with magnificently curled horns which attains an average length of 45 inches in the male, and is often called a trophy animal. The horns of the female are short and attain a length of about 10 inches.

Markhors are adapted to mountainous terrain and can be found residing at regions that are between 600-3,600 meters in elevation, mainly in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It is called markhor because of the fact that its spiral/corkscrewing horns look like a coiling snake. It is believed that markhor is the ancestor of the domestic goat.

Markhor is an endangered animal which is conserved through community participation, through trophy hunting programme. This programme helps to conserve the animal and improve socio-economic conditions of the local people in the area. Conservation of markhor has also helped in conservation of associated wildlife, such as endangered snow leopard, common leopard, monal pheasant, etc.

Our national bird

Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), normally called chakor, is our national bird. It is a common and a very adaptable species that is found in all kinds of arid, rocky and hilly areas of the country of up to 13,000 feet. Because of its adaptability, it remains even at high altitude in winter when snow covers the ground.

The bird, being gregarious in nature, appears rounded-looking and is one of the most sought-after domesticated and cage-bird because of its agility, beauty and vocalisation. The bird has distinctive black vertical bars type patterns on the lower flank and a black collar passing through the eyes down to base of the throat. Both sexes are pretty similar, however, the adult male can be identified on the bases of its larger body size, bigger head, louder sound and a large tarsus in the leg. When reared as a chick the bird is very loyal and docile.

Traditionally, the bird is considered as a sacred one in local folklores and myths. It is believed that this bird gets very excited on the night of the full moon and in a bid to reach the moon, it flies up till it falls exhausted.

The national tree

Deodar or diar (Cedrus deodara) is recognised as the national tree of Pakistan and is also very popular and well-known among people because of its majestic and graceful shape, and usefulness.

It is native to the Himalaya region and this slow-growing tree is one of the most important trees in the mountainous ecosystem. It is found in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.

In Pakistan it is found at high elevations in Hazara, Swat, Murree Hills, Chitral, Dir and Azad Kashmir. It mostly grows on steep, cool northern regions, and in valleys. In its natural habitat, the tree is restricted to moist temperate forests and dry temperate forests. It has been known to reach 250 feet in height

The deodar is a large evergreen tree, assuming a distinctive pyramidal shape which is easily identified among other trees of the pine group. It has a majestic extended crown that gives a conical shape to the tree. The word ‘deodar’ is derived from Sanskrit that translates to “timber of the gods”. Its wood is comparatively expensive and is one of the most sought-after trees for making furniture because of its elegance, beauty and fine texture.

The tree is cut down by the locals of the area to meet their fuel needs, such as for cooking and heating purposes during winter. And add to this the demand of deodar’s wood for construction and furniture-making, it is no wonder that the number of these trees in our country is decreasing fast. Deodar is a very slow-growing tree, even if the same numbers of trees are planted each year – but this doesn’t happen in reality – it takes years to grow to its majestic mature height. This tree, like many other precious plants and animals, needs attention from conservationists.

Our national flower

This white coloured flower is mostly knows as chanbeli (jasminum officinale). Commonly famous as a house plant, it is popularly grown in gardens due to the sweet smell of its flowers. The flowers emit their sweet powerful scent at dusk which attracts people.

Because of its fragrance and beauty, women not only wear them in their hair but the flowers are also used in floral decorations for weddings and other important occasions. There are different varieties of jasmine in the world having a number of uses such as jasmine tea, syrup, oil, etc.