Kerala PSC Facts About India - 13

National Animal
113. The Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal of India.
114. It is found throghout the country except the north western region.
115. Panthera tigris is the scientific name.
116. It was adopted as the national animal in 1972.
117. Before that lion was the national animal.
118. To check the dwindling population of tigers in India, ‘Project Tiger’ was launched in April 1973.
119. Several tiger reserves have been established in the country under this project. Nagarjauna Srisailam santuary is the largest tiger reserve in India.
120. National Bird: Indian Peacock is the national bird of India.
121. Its scientific name is Pavo cristatus. It given this status is 1963.
122. National flower: Lotus (Nelumbo nucipera) is the national flower of India.
123.National Tree: Banyan Tree (Ficus bengalensis) is the national tree of India.
124. It is also known as Fig tree or Pipal tree.
125. National Sports: Field Hockey is the national game. It has 11 players in a team.
126. National Homours: The highest civilian honour in the country is Bharat Ratna.
127. The other highest national civilian honours are Padmavibhushan, Padmabhushan and Padmasree.
128. The highest decoration for valour is Param Veer Chakra (PVC).
129. Ashok Chakra is the highest peace time gallantry award which is equivalent to PVC.
130. Mahavir Chakra is the second highest decoration and Vir Chakra is the third highest.
131. National River is Ganga (2008).
132. National Aquatic Animal is River Dolphin (2009).
133. National Heritage animal is Elephant.