Hangul population declines from 5,000 to 186

Greater Kashmir , Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Correspondent : MUKEET AKMALI
Terming the status of Hangul as “critical” in Kashmir, the State government on Monday informed that the Legislative Assembly that the population of Kashmir Stag has declined to only 186 from 5000 species as per the latest 2015 census.

The Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh in a written reply to a question of MLA, Mubarak Gul stated that “Hangul or the Kashmir Stag (cervus Canadensis hanglu) is the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir. It is subspecies of European Red Deer, however its population has reduced to only 186 individuals as per the last census conducted in the year 2015, making its status critical.”

Minister informed the House that this is the only population of it existing in the world. The animal is present only in Dachigam National Park and adjoining areas. “This deer species was once number around 5,000 in the beginning of the 20th century. Unfortunately, they were threatened, due to habitat destruction, overgrazing by domestic livestock, and poaching in post independent era. As a result, at one point of time it dwindled to as low as 150 animals in 1970,” he said.

To another question, whether it is a fact that there is also tussle between sheep and Forest Department at Dachigam over the shifting of sheep farm, the Minister said that Sheep can be reared at any place outside the only natural habitat of Hangul. Sheep is imposing a huge challenge and competition for grazing grounds and as such a threat to the animal.

“There is lot of disturbance to the Hangul during rutting period in Oak patch that is largely occupied by Sheep Breeding Farm. Dogs in the Farm also pose great threat to the new born hangulfawns in the area. As a result the Fawn female ratio and the female male ratios have also gone down according to one study ,” he adds.

He further adds that the existence of sheep breading farm in Dachigam National Park has remained a matter of “serious concern”.

Further the House was informed that in a recent meeting of the State Board for Wildlife held on 22.11.2016 under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, it was decided that the Sheep Breeding Farm be shifted from the Dachigam National Park.

“Accordingly, the Wildlife Department is now waiting for further direction for shifting of Sheep breeding farm,” he said adding that given the ground position, a Long term Conservation of Hangul would require active involvement of local communities, landscape level conservation, capacity building of staff, research, adaptive management of the project, developing grazing grounds, Conservation, Breeding Centers both in-situ and ex-situ and management polices along with promotion of conservation and education awareness.

 
SOURCE : http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/jammu/story/239446.html
 


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