Indian Flora and Fauna

The Indian Roller is the state bird of Karnataka, known locally as 'Neelkanth'. The Great Hornbill is Kerala's state bird (great hornbill), Peafowl is India's national bird, and Kingfisher is not a state bird.

Cheetahs were historically used by Maharajas for hunting, trained to pursue and bring down prey. Unlike lions and tigers, cheetahs can be tamed and trained relatively easily, making them suitable for hunting expeditions.

Simlipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha was formerly the hunting reserve of the Maharaja of Mayurbhanj. It was declared a tiger reserve in 1956 and is now one of India's largest tiger reserves, known for its rich biodiversity including Bengal tigers and elephants.

After Shiva destroyed Daksha's sacrifice in retaliation for Sati's death, he later restored Daksha to life with the head of a goat. Daksha then became one of Shiva's devoted followers. Dog, elephant, and horse are not mentioned in this legend.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is located in Mandya district of Karnataka, approximately 130 km from Bangalore. Situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, it comprises six small islands and is home to numerous migratory bird species including painted storks, pelicans, and herons.

Dandeli in Karnataka is best known for its wildlife sanctuary, the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (now part of the Kali Tiger Reserve). It's one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka, home to diverse species including tigers, elephants, and black panthers. The other options are known for different attractions: Sringeri for its Sharada Peetham, Badami for cave temples, and 'Indi' appears to be a misspelling or incomplete.

Bannerghatta National Park near Bangalore is one of the richest natural zoological reserves, known for its diverse wildlife including elephants, tigers, and various bird species. It's located in the hilly area of Bangalore and serves as both a national park and biological reserve. Hesaraghatta is a grassland reserve, while Katriguppe and Cubbon are city parks without significant wildlife reserves.

Kaziranga National Park in Assam is famous for its population of the one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), which has been successfully conserved there. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site primarily known for this species, not for zebras, lions, or giraffes which aren't native to India.

Pashmina wool is obtained from the fine undercoat of Himalayan mountain goats (Capra hircus). The wool is combed out during the spring molting season and processed into luxury textiles. Sheep produce regular wool, deer have antlers, and rams are male sheep - none produce pashmina.

Felis Domesticus is the binomial scientific name for the domestic cat under biological classification. Rana hexadactyla is a frog species, Naja naja is the Indian cobra, and Upapa epops is a hoopoe bird.

Kaziranga National Park in Assam is renowned worldwide for its population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, which is its flagship species and primary tourist attraction. Zebras, lions, and giraffes are not native to Kaziranga or found in the wild in India.

Pashmina wool, also known as cashmere, is obtained from the Cashmere goat (Capra hircus laniger), specifically those found in the Himalayan region. The fine undercoat fibers are combed out during the spring molting season. Black sheep produce regular wool, while deer and bear are not sources of wool at all.

Namdapha National Park is located in Arunachal Pradesh, in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot. It is the largest protected area in the Eastern Himalaya and home to diverse flora and fauna including the Bengal tiger and red panda.

The cheetah became extinct in India in the 1950s, with the last confirmed sighting in 1947 and official extinction declared in 1952 due to hunting and habitat loss. A reintroduction project began in 2022, bringing cheetahs from Africa, but they remain extinct in the wild in their historical range.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Karnataka, in the Uttara Kannada district. It's known for its diverse wildlife including black panthers, elephants, and various bird species. Gir Sanctuary is in Gujarat (Asiatic lions), Kaziranga is in Assam (rhinoceros), and Tadoba is in Maharashtra (tigers).