Every state in the Indian Union adopts official symbols that reflect its geography, cultural essence, and ecological heritage. For Uttarakhand, nestled in the fragile and majestic heights of the Greater Himalaya, the state symbols celebrate some of the world's most extraordinary high-altitude species: from the elusive Musk Deer that roams near glaciers to the iridescent rainbow-feathered Himalayan Monal, the sacred night-blooming Brahma Kamal, and the blazing red Buransh blossoms.
In addition to these four traditional biological emblems, the Government of Uttarakhand has subsequently notified the State Butterfly, State Fish, and State Folk Instrument to foster conservation awareness and celebrate indigenous mountain culture.
1. Master Guide to Notified State Symbols
| Category | Official State Symbol | Scientific / Local Name | Habitat / Altitude | Explore Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Animal | Alpine Musk Deer | Moschus chrysogaster (Kasturi Mrig) | High sub-alpine birch forests (2,500m – 4,400m) | View Profile → |
| State Bird | Himalayan Monal | Lophophorus impejanus (Daphne) | Oak-rhododendron slopes & meadows (2,400m – 4,500m) | View Profile → |
| State Flower | Brahma Kamal | Saussurea obvallata (Kaul Padma) | Alpine screes & glacial ridges (3,700m – 4,600m) | View Profile → |
| State Tree | Buransh | Rhododendron arboreum | Montane temperate slopes (1,500m – 3,000m) | View Profile → |
| State Butterfly | Common Peacock | Papilio bianor polyctor | Notified in 2016; iridescent green-blue wings | State Notification |
| State Fish | Golden Mahseer | Tor putitora (Himalayan Mahseer) | Clean swift-flowing Himalayan river waters | State Notification |
| State Folk Instrument | Dhol-Damau | Traditional percussion drums | Notified 2015; integral to weddings and festivals | Folk Heritage |
2. The Official State Emblem & Seal
The official emblem of the Government of Uttarakhand is a diamond-shaped shield representing the mountainous profile of the state:
- Three Mountain Peaks: Representing the towering Himalayan tiers of Garhwal and Kumaon.
- Four Water Waves: Representing the sacred currents of the Ganga flowing through the state.
- Ashoka Lion Capital: Positioned at the crest of the middle peak, symbolizing constitutional sovereignty, with the national motto Satyameva Jayate inscribed in Devanagari script.
- Color Palette: The emblem features a red background symbolizing the blood sacrificed by statehood agitators, framed by white and blue waves signifying peace and the sanctity of the Ganga.
Conservation & Legal Protection
Both the Alpine Musk Deer and Himalayan Monal are strictly protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972), carrying the highest statutory legal penalties for poaching. Plucking wild Brahma Kamal in high-altitude sanctuaries is similarly prohibited to prevent illegal harvesting.
Frequently Asked Questions: State Symbols
In November 2016, the Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board officially declared the stunning Common Peacock (Papilio bianor polyctor) as the State Butterfly of Uttarakhand due to its dazzling metallic emerald-green wings.
In 2015, the ancient two-headed mountain drum Dhol (accompanied by the smaller Damau) was declared the official State Musical Instrument of Uttarakhand to honor centuries of indigenous Pahadi folk music traditions.
No. Plucking, picking, or uprooting Brahma Kamal flowers in the wild (such as inside the Valley of Flowers, Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, or Hemkund Sahib) is strictly illegal under Forest Conservation laws.
Editorial Verification: Sourced from official gazettes of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR Uttarakhand) and the Uttarakhand Forest Department.