11. Depiction of Avifauna on the currency notes in Sri Lanka and Postage stamps of India – an overview:

Sri Lanka promotes its natural resources through depicting imagery of its native flowers, birds, historic/important monuments, culture and dances etc.

In 1979, the currency Notes were printed under the “Fauna and Flora” series in the Rs.2/- to Rs.100/- denominations.

In 1981, the “Historical and Archeological Theme” series was issued.

From 1991 to 2010, the “Heritage Series” was in place which went through several revisions – in 1995 the series had an enhanced latent image at the centre bottom of the obverse side.

Then again, in 2009, another Commemorative note (paper currency) was issued in the Rs.1000/- denomination on “The ushering of peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka”.

Current Series:

On 4^th February 2011, the current series has been introduced with the theme “Development, Prosperity and Sri Lankan Dancers” for circulation to commemorate Sri Lanka’s Diamond Jubilee (60^th year) of attaining its Independence. On the front these notes also depict several birds and butterflies found in Sri Lanka:

 A special feature of the Sri Lankan Notes that the reverse side details are printed vertically and have to be viewed by turning the note accordingly. Also as a security feature, the white watermark window has an inset of the bird shown on the right hand side of the various currency notes.

The banknotes are presently being issued in the denominations of, Rs.20/- , Rs.50/-, Rs.100/-, Rs.200/-, Rs.500/-,Rs.1000/- and Rs.5000/-. The following images are those of a few currency notes issued under this series depicting Birds and butterflies found in Sri Lanka:

  

20 rupees: On the front of this Note is the Port of Colombo in the centre. To the right side of the note is a bird “Sri Lanka Serendib Scops Owl” (Otus thilohoffmanni) and a butterfly, the “Baronet” (Symphaedra nais) is seen on the bottom left hand corner.  

 50 rupees: On the front of this note is the newly constructed bridge at Manampitiya, alongside the old bridge common to both vehicles and trains is shown in the centre alongwith an ancient Railway arch bridge appears in the background. To the right of the note is a bird, the “Sri Lanka Dull Blue Flycatcher (Eumyias sordida) and on the bottom left is a butterfly “The Blue Oakleaf” (Kallima philarchus).

 100 rupees: The front of the note commemorates the “Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Project” and the “Laxapana Waterfall”, with power cables surrounding it in the background. The bird on the right side of the Note is the “Sri Lanka Orange Billed Babbler” (Turdoides rufescens); while a butterfly “the autumn leaf” (Doleschallia bisaltidae) appears on the lower left side. 

500 rupees: The front of the Note  shows the World Trade Centre and Bank of Ceylon Headquarters in  Colombo and the ancient Buddhist temple “Lankathilaka Viharaya” at Kandy in the background. The bird on the right hand side of the Note is the “Sri Lanka Emerald Collared Parakeet” (Layard’s Parakeet – Pssittacula calthropae) while on the lower left side is seen a butterfly “The Ceylon Indigo Royal” “Tajuria arida”.

1000 rupees: The front of this Note shows the newly constructed Ramboda Tunnel with the Rock Wall at the same location before construction, in the background. “The Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot” (Loriculus beryllinus) is shown on the right side of the Note and a butterfly the “White Four Ring” (Ypthima ceylonica).

5000 rupees: (predominant colour: gold) The “Weheragala Dam” and the “Canyon Dam” in the background are shown on this Note. A bird, the “Sri Lanka Yellow Eared Bulbul” (Pycnonotus penicillatus) is seen on the right side, while a butterfly “Lemon Migrant” (Catopsilia Pomona) is seen on the left hand bottom.

Earlier series:

The following Notes of four Denominations, are all from earlier Heritage series which were last printed in 2010 and are still circulating currency Notes :  

 

On the back of this 10 rupee Note, when viewed vertically is the Presidential Secretariat building in Colombo, with flowers on the lower foreground. The Chinze appears in the white watermark window as a security feature. On the upper right and side is a picture of a Painted stork (Mycteria Leucocephala).

20 Rupees: On the front is the image of a native bird mask when the Note is viewed vertically.

On the back of this 100 rupee Note, when viewed vertically can be seen tea-leaf pickers in a tea garden, with two Rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula Krameri) sitting on a shrub in the foreground. 

500 Rupees: On the back, when viewed vertically, are a stork-billed kingfisher bird (Halcyon capensis) above a temple and orchids (flowers) in the foreground.

 1000 Rupees: On the front, there is a Sinhalese Chinze at the lower left, a two headed bird at the bottom centre, a decorated  elephant with its “Mahout” (Trainer) on the right hand side.

 On the back, when viewed vertically, is  a picture of peacocks on the Palace lawns. There is also the Octagon temple of the Tooth in Kandy with Lotus flowers above.

Avifauna of India: 

  

As we are avid bird-watchers stationed in Pune, we have made several sorties out to locate bustards in the areas around Pune where they are supposed to be found, but have met with no success. Bustards are an endangered species, today. Hats off to the P&T Deptt. India for championing their cause as far back as 1980. Also, notice that this was a two rupee thirty paise stamp, not rounded off to the nearest rupee. 

A four rupee stamp on Painted Stork. 

The sparrows which were a part of our growing up days and   are an endangered species today . Several studies have been conducted to reverse the declining trend in their numbers. Don't miss the Rock pigeons which are still found in abundance in several towns of India.

 A miniature sheet, exhorting the World to do their utmost to preserve the polar regions and Glaciers, and to reverse the phenomenon of global warming. Also, shown are Penguins which are now a threatented species, with their Natural Habitat fast dwindling.

 In this miniature sheet can be seen a Ruddy Shelduck and an owl etc. among other indicators of how bio-diversity needs to co-exist.

 A miniature sheet on the Silent valley, showing flowers, a mammal, a butterfly and a bird a river, trees etc. indicating bio-diversity in harmony.
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