The number of the endangered Kashmir stag has improved from 170 to 218 in the past four years, but unwarranted hiccups in release of funds under the Species Recovery Project continue to hamper the implementation of the Hangul Action Plan, formulated to conserve the species.

The Union government had approved Rs 22 crore in 2008 under the Species Recovery Project to give impetus to the breeding programme of Kashmir stag in Dachigam National Park of Kashmir.

In entire Asia, the sub-species of red deer, also called “hangul” in local parlance, is found only in Kashmir’s Dachigam Park. It is also found in some parts of Europe and the US.

Since 2008, the Centre has released only Rs 1.40 crore out of Rs 22 crore. However, the Centre has not given up the ambitious project.

“A team of non-officials from the National Board for Wildlife that returned to New Delhi last evening after visiting Srinagar and Dachigam has decided to re-submit the Hangul Action Plan to the Union government,” said Regional Wildlife Warden of Kashmir MA Tak.

It was decided that the Hangul Action Plan would be re-modulated and not remain confined to Dachigam only.

“We identified good potential areas of Wangad, Gurez, Bandipora and Warwan to conserve population of this rare species. A detailed plan then will be submitted to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests,” he added.

The team also evolved a consensus to further strengthen conservation work in Khrew, Khanmoh, Shikargah, Overa and Aru, said Tak.

Tak admitted that the slow pace of releasing funds had been hampering the implementation of the Hangul Action Plan.

“In 2008, the breeding programme started but due to erratic funding it is not moving at the desired pace,” added Tak.

The official said on October 31 a team of state wildlife officials had met higher officials of the National Board for Wildlife in Delhi, wherein it was decided that a panel of non-officials would visit Srinagar to take stock of the Hangul Action Plan.

“The conservation programme of this unique species is basically a long-term process because all aspects such as their protection, habitat, food and undisturbed breeding have to be looked into,” said Tak. The team will again visit Srinagar on November 21, he added.

“The Dachigam Park has been closed for public now as it is the breeding time of Kashmir stag.

We had opened the park for two months in July,” said Tak. Over two decades of insurgency, unabated poaching and reduction of forest besides other human factors have shrunk the population of hangul.

‘Hangul’ count

• In 1980, there were 500 Kashmir stag, also called hangul. Their count rose to 818 in 1988, before the eruption of militancy in the state.

• After militancy, the count declined. In 1994, their number was 200, and it further went down to 170.

• The state government with the Central support embarked upon the hangul conservation project in 2008.

• During peak militancy, it is believed that around 500 hanguls were killed by insurgents and poachers.