Animals & Plants as Symbols

India – National Symbols

National Animal: Tiger, Panthera tigris was accorded the status of National Animal in 1973, with the initiation of Project Tiger. Before this the national animal was the lion

National Aquatic Animal: The Ganges River Dolphin Platanista gangetica gangetica was declared as the National Aquatic Animal in October 2009 to save it from extinction

National Heritage Animal: In October 2010, the Indian Government declared the Indian Elephant, Elephas maximus, a National Heritage Animal

National Tree: Indian Fig tree, Ficus bengalensis, whose branches root themselves like new trees over a large area. The roots then give rise to more trunks and branches. Because of this characteristic and its longevity, this tree is considered immortal and is an integral part of the myths and legends of India.

National Bird: The Indian peacock, Pavo cristatus, is the National Bird of India

National Flower: Lotus, Nelumbo nucipera is the National Flower of India

National Fruit: The Mango, Mangifera indica is the National Fruit of India

State Animal, Bird, Tree and Flower of North Eastern States of India

State	Animal	Bird
Arunachal Pradesh	Mithun	Great Hornbill
Assam	One-horned Rhino	White-winged wood duck
Manipur	Sangai	Mrs. Hume's Pheasant
Meghalaya	Clouded Leopard	Hill Myna
Mizoram	Hoolock Gibbon	Mrs. Hume's Pheasant
Nagaland	MIthun	Blyth's Tragopan
Sikkim	Red Panda	Blood Pheasant
Tripura	Phayre's Langur	Green Imperial Pigeon

State	Tree	Flower
Arunachal Pradesh	Hollong	Lady Slipper Orchid
Assam	Hollong	Foxtail orchid
Manipur	Toon	Siroi Lilly
Meghalaya	Gamari	Lady Slipper Orchid
Mizoram	Iron wood	Red Vanda
Nagaland	Alder	Rhododendron
Sikkim	Rhododendron	Noble Orchid
Tripura	Agar	Nag Kesar