Kashmir's Unique Stag "Hangul" Sees Marginal Population Increase

• 22 Aug 2023

Recently, a latest census on the Hangul, Kashmir's unique stag (the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir,) indicated a slight increase in its population after two years, bringing joy to wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists in the region.

Key Points

• Recent Census Results: The latest biennial census conducted in April and recently released revealed that the Hangul population has risen to 289 from 261 in 2021, marking a 10% increase.
• Protected Habitats: The last viable population of Hangul exists in the protected Dachigam National Park in Kashmir, where they grazed freely before the onset of militancy in 1989.
• Monitoring and Research: The Department of Wildlife Protection (DWLP) has been consistently monitoring the Hangul population since 2004, involving research institutes, students, and NGOs.
• Factors behind Population Stabilization: Three key factors contributed to the population's stability: protection of habitat, restricted human movement within the park, and the removal of a sheep breeding farm from inside the park.
• Ongoing Challenges: While the Hangul population has stabilized, significant improvement remains a challenge due to various concerns.
• Conservation Status: The Hangul is classified as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and enjoys protection under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act.
• Continued Threats: Habitat fragmentation, poaching, livestock grazing, predation, and ecological threats are ongoing challenges to the Hangul population.
• Conservation Action Plan (CAP): A Conservation Action Plan aims to connect the former habitat areas of Hangul and requires approval to address population trends.