INDIAN : BREEDS OF DOGS stamp released on 09 01 2005
Denomination :500,500,500,1500p
Stamps Printed :0.3 Million each
Date of Issue :09-01-2005
Theme: Animals
India has one of the oldest canine cultures. As early as the end of Mesolithic period the dog was domesticated and ever since the dog has been like a hunting companion rather than a show piece. Oriented to speed and action, indian dogs are all outdoor dogs.
The Indian sub continent is the largest conglomeration of various breeds of dogs in the world. Through a long process of evolution, each geographical region in India has produced a distinctive breed, adapted to the local environment. While Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal have BHOT[AS, Kumaon Hills have SHIKARIs RAMPUR HOUNDs abound the Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana etc. and MUDHOL Hounds are found in Koyana-Gulbarga of Karnataka and Maharastra. The RAJAPALAYAMs come from Tamil Nadu and TRIPURIs are found in the Lushai Hills of Assam.
Due to their usefulness and association with human habitat, dogs remain man’s best friends. Known for their sturdiness and loyalty, there is a need for creation of awareness about the variety of the canine population in India. The set of stamps depicts four Indian canine breeds viz., the Himalayan Sheep Dog, the Rampur Hound, the Mudhol Hound and the Rajapalayam.
HIMALAYAN SHEEP DOG
Found in Ladakh and adjoining Nepal, they are strong and powerful dogs. Gentle and sensitive with humans, they are alert and have sharp reflexes. Courageous and ferocious, are excellent guard dogs for cattle. They are generally black or brown with patches of white on ears, legs and body. They have a thick course over coat and a thick smooth fur for under coat.
They have short legs and a long back. They have pointed muzzle and luminous dark rimmed eyes. Tail is plumed and up turned. Compact and muscular they can sustain the Indian heat.
RAMPUR HOUND
The most well known Indian breed, the Rampur Hounds are elegant dogs, featured in Mughul miniatures. These dogs come from Rampur of erstwhile Rohilkhand of Uttar Pradesh. These are medium sized, muscular, powerful built for great speed and endurance. They have long wide head, flat between ears, and powerful jaws with scissor bite. They have slightly oval, brown to dark amber eyes. They have long and tapering tail, and the body has short and firm coat.
Mostly brindle or mouse grey in colours, with its long legs and short coat, it has a streamlined back of a grey hound, with a long skull. It was used for hunting, and Janhangir’s kennel is said to have had 4000 of them.
Every year in a mela in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, the best hound exhibited is given the title Rustum-e-Rampur.
MUDHOL HONUD
Primarily a desert variety of gaze hounds is generally found scattered all over Maharashtra and has been mostly kept by tribals. The Raja of Mudhol, a princely state, now part of Karnataka, trained these dogs for hunting. The Raja of Kolhapur also patronized this breed. Quiet, aloof, placid and reserve, it hunts with extreme concentration equally well on dry and marshy lands.
It has characteristically long and lean head, with well chiseled jaws and nose slightly protruding beyond the teeth. It has bony and narrow body with long tail that tapes to the end. It has very light and effortlessly easy movement with strong driving action with matching reach. Mudhol is found in all colours except albino.
RAJAPALAYAM
The Rajapalayam, built on the lines of the Great Dane, is an all white dog, though at times mottled white is also noticed. The eyes are brown, and the pink nose is distinctive. With its button ears and whip tail, it has loose hanging upper lips and is deep chested. Never a fast runner but is tireless and steady over long distances. Traditionally used as sheep dog and for hunting, it has also figured in battles. It is said that in the 18th Century Pudukottai regiment of Rajapalayam dogs was effectively used for fighting the enemies. Although a brave hound used more for hunting hare and other small game, it is gentle and is every one’s friend.
Department of Posts is happy to issue a set of four stamps on Breeds of Dogs.
NATIONAL PARKS OF INDIA released on 31 05 2007
| Denomination :500,500,500,500,500p Stamps Printed : 0.6 Million each Date of Issue : 31-05-2007 Theme : Building and places of public interest
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Indias rich biodiversity has fascinated people down the ages. We can boast of more than 500 species of mammals, 2000 species of birds, 500 species of reptiles, and 30000 species of insects. We also have an ingrained tradition of conservation stretching back in history. However the pressures of an increasing population have led to widespread changes in land ways.
A comprehensive legislation called the’ Wildlife Protection Act’ was enacted in 1972 for providing legal protection to wildlife,and to endangered species of fauna in particular, as protecting our natural heritage and preventing the extinction of increasingly rare and endangered species of animals like the one horned Indian Rhinoceros, the Indian elephant, the tiger, and the musk deer among other, assumed national importance.
Under this Act, the state Government are empowered to declared any area as a Sanctuary or a National Park for the purpose of protecting and conserving wild life and the environment. All National Parks and Sanctuaries are however not alike, some are famous for the richness and varity of their flora as well as fauna.
BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK – The Bandipur National Park is a beautiful forest reserve located in Karnataka.It lies the shadow of the western ghats and spreads across an area of about 875 sq.km.at a height of 780-1455 m. above sea level .A moderate climate and diverse geographical features support a remarkable variety of flora and fauna.A mix of deciduous and evergreen forests and scrubland supported by the waters of the Moyar river,this forest reserve is home to Indian Elephants, Tiger, Gaur, Sambar, Chital, four horned Antelope, wild pig, black-Naped Hare and the Indian Porcupine.The park is also rich in avian population with an abundance of birds like the peafowl,and game birds like the grey Jungle Fowl, Red Spur Fowl ,etc.
MUDUMALAI NATIONAL PARK
The Mudumalai National Park lies in the state of Tamilnadu and is contiguous to the Bandipur National Park,separated by the river Moyar that flows between the two.It is located on a 1000mtr.high plateau at the base of the Nilgiri hills with a crore area of 104 sq.km, and was declared as a National Park in the year 1990.Just 321 sq.km.in area, the hilly terrain provides diverse habitats sustaining a great varity of wildlife including the Tiger,Leopard,Bear,Elephant,Bison,Sambar,spotted Deer, Four-Horned Antelope, Blackbuck,Hyena,Wild Dog,Porcupine,Jackle,Python etc.Rich in bird life,most families of birds found in India Subcontinent including some uncommon and rare species like the grey jungle fowl,Red SpurFowl,Grey Partrige,Malabar Whistlin Thrush, Magpie Robin,Spotted Babbler,Pigeon,BrownDove,Malabar GreyHornbill,Harriers,Falcons and king Vulture, etc. may be sighted in the Park area, comprising a mixture of rain forest,evergreen,and deciduous forest and scrubland,with lofty as well as stunted trees,grass coversd hills and marshy swamps.
BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK- India’s rich biodiversity has fascinated people down the ages. We can boast of more than 500 species of mammals, 2,000 species of birds, 500 species of reptiles and 30,000 species of insects. We also have an ingrained tradition of conservation stretching back in history. A comprehensive legislation called the ‘Wildlife Protection Act was enacted in 1972 for providing legal protection to wildlife, and to endangered species of fauna in particular, as protecting our natural heritage and preventing the extinction of increasingly rare and endangered species of animals like the one-homed Indian Rhinoceros, the Indian elephant, the tiger and the musk deer among other, assumed national importance. Under this Act, the State Governments are empowered to declare any area as a Sanctuary or a National Park for the purpose of protecting and conserving wildlife and the environment. All National Parks and sanctuaries are however not alike. While some have been created to protect certain specific rare and endangered species, some are famous for the richness and variety of their flora as well fauna.In bringing out a set of five commemorative postage stamps on National Parks of India.
PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK-The Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve was established in the verdant stretches of Kerala in 1895 and declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 777 sq.km. of which 360 sq.km is under dense and evergreen forest cover.There are 35 species of mammals in the park including its major attraction,the Indian elephant, the endangered Lion tailed Macaque, Malabar Giant Squirrel,Flying Squirrel, Wild Boar, and barking Deer.This National Park is also rich in birds with 265 species including the Hornbill, Stork,Woodpecker,Raptor,Cormorant and the Darter.
KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK- Kaziranga National Park is one of the last refuges of the endangered one horned Indian Rhinoceros. Located in Assam on the southern bank of the Brahmputra River. Kaziranga was declared a reserve forest in 1908,primarily to protect this indigenous endangered species and a ban imposed on poaching of the Indian Rhino. Declared as a wildlife Sanctuary in 1940 the park was given the status of a National Park in 1974,and was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985.Other animals that inhabit the Park are the Elephant, Tiger, Wild Boar, Jackle, Wild Buffalo, Python, Monitor Lizard, Bison, Leopard, Swamp Deer,Hog Deer, jungle Cats, Otters, Hoolock Gibbon, etc. Kaziranga is also a bird watchers paradise.
In bringing out a set of five commemorative postage stamps on national Parks of India,Indian Post celebrates the unique beauty of each. While applauding the conservation efforts so far made, there is obviously a need to carry this movement forward with greater resolve. This set of stamps will create greater awareness of the heritage we need to preserve.