The cover has 2 kinds of stamps, the first one is Christmas Stamps set, issued last November 2008. The second set of stamps depicts the different animals for International Year of biodiversity, issued last June 5, 2010.
The stamps inside:
1. 2009 India - Philippines Joint Issue souvenir sheet
The Ganges River Dolphin is from India, and the Butanding (Whale Shark), is from the Philippines.
WHALE SHARK (Rhincodon typus). A slow moving filter feeding shark, the largest living fish species. The largest confirmed individual had a length of 12.65 meters (41.50 ft) and a weight of more than 21.5 tons (47,000 lb), but unconfirmed claims report considerably larger whale sharks. This distinctively-marked fish is the only member of its genus Rhincodon and its family, Rhincodontidae (called Rhinodontes before 1984), which belongs to the subclass Elasmobranchii in the class Chondrichthyes. The shark is found in tropical and warm oceans, lives in the open sea with a lifespan of about 70 years. The species originated about 60 million years ago. Although whale sharks have very large mouths, they feed mainly, though not exclusively, on plankton, microscopic plants and animals, although the BBC programme Planet Earth filmed a whale shark feeding on a school of small fish.
GANGETIC DOLPHIN (Platanista gangetica). Also known as The Ganges River Dolphin. A freshwater dolphin that is found primarily in the River Ganges. Known to fishermen for centuries and the subject of myth and legend, the Ganges River Dolphin is an endangered species. It is estimated that there are around 2000 Ganges River Dolphins in the rivers of the Indian Subcontinent. It grows to a length of 5 to 8 feet and can weigh up to 90 Kg. It has a long snout, big flippers and a stocky but streamlined body. It was believed to be blind, and reliant purely on echolocation, however, its eyes have been found to provide some vision. It is a good swimmer and maneuvers its way through the murky water with its tail and flippers.
2. 2009 Pigeon and Sparrow souvenir sheet
3. 2006 Endangered Birds of India souvenir sheet
- Greater Adjutant Stork
The Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) is a large wading bird found in Asia that is closely related to the African Marabou Stork and belongs to the stork family Ciconiidae. It formerly bred in southern Asia, mainly in India with a range extending east to Borneo, but is now restricted to two small breeding populations; in India, mainly Assam and Cambodia. Populations disperse widely after the breeding season. This large stork has a massive wedge-shaped bill, a bare head and distinctive neck pouch. During the day, they soar in thermals along with vultures, sharing with them the habit of scavenging. Although feeding mainly on carrion and offal, they sometimes prey on vertebrates. They are named for their stiff "military" gait when walking on the ground. Large numbers once lived in Asia but have declined greatly, possibly due to improved sanitation, to the point of being endangered. The total population in 2008 was estimated at around a thousand. In the 19th Century, they were especially common in the city of Calcutta, where they were referred to as the "Calcutta Adjutant". Valued as scavengers, they were once used in the logo of the city's municipal corporation. Known locally as Hargila ("bone-swallower") and considered as unclean birds, they were largely left undisturbed but were sometimes hunted for use in folk medicine.
- Nigiri Laughing Thrush
The Rufous-breasted, Black-chinned or Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Trochalopteron cachinnans, is a species of Laughingthrush endemic to Peninsular India.
- Manipur Bush Quail
The Manipur Bush Quail (Perdicula manipurensis) is a species of quail found in India, inhabiting damp grassland, particularly stands of tall grass, in West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and Meghalaya. BBC News quoted the conservation director of the Wildlife Trust of India, Rahul Kaul, as saying, "This creature has almost literally returned from the dead."
- Lesser Florican
The Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus), also known as the Likh, is a large bird in the bustard family and the only member of the genus Sypheotides. It is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent where it is found in tall grasslands and is best known for the leaping breeding displays made by the males during the Monsoon season. The male has a contrasting black and white breeding plumage and distinctive elongated head feathers that extend behind the neck. These bustards are found mainly in northwestern and central India during the summer but are found more widely distributed across India in winter. The species is highly endangered and has been extirpated in some parts of its range such as Pakistan. It is threatened both by hunting and habitat degradation. The only similar species is the Bengal Florican (Houbarobsis bengalensis) which is larger and lacks the white throat, collar and elongated plumes.
4. 2010 International Year of Biodiversity souvenir sheet
I love this souvenir sheet and even if I already have 2 sheets, it's fine with me.
Sources:
1. Butanding or Whale Shark : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale_shark
2. Ganges River Dolphin : http://www.wildlifeindiatravel.com/wild-species-in-india/the-ganges-river-dolphin.html
3. Greater Adjutant Stork : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Adjutant
4. Rufous-breasted Laughingthrush : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nilgiri_Laughing_Thrush
5. Manipur Bush Quail : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manipur_Bush_Quail
6. Lesser Florian : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_Florican
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