- The Kashmir red stag, scientifically known as Hangul, represents a subspecies of elk indigenous to India. Initially categorized as a subspecies of European red deer, a genetic study utilizing mitochondrial DNA revealed its affiliation with the Asian elk family, prompting its reclassification as a subspecies of elk.
- Historically, the Hangul was abundantly distributed across the mountains of Kashmir Himalaya, the Chenab Valley in Jammu, and portions of the Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh.
- However, the sole viable population now exists in the Greater Dachigam landscape, situated northeast of Srinagar and centered around Dachigam National Park and adjacent protected areas.
- The Hangul language is observed in conservation reserves like Cheshmashahi Forest Reserve, Khrew Khanagund, Shikargh, and Overa Wildlife Sanctuary within the Bren-Nishat region.
- Surveys conducted between 2000 and 2009 beyond Dachigam National Park indicate that the Hangul’s range is limited to 351 km2, compared to its potential span of approximately 885 km2.
- As the only surviving species of Asiatic red deer, the male Hangul possesses antlers featuring 11 to 16 points, and the Hangul society operates under a matriarchal structure.
- Being the state animal of the erstwhile state and current Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, the Hangul has faced endangerment since the 1950s, earning recognition as one of the most endangered mammal species in the Indian subcontinent.
- The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 designates the Hangul as a protected species under Schedule I.
PROJECT HANGUL
- The Kashmir stag, commonly known as Hangul, is a subspecies of the Central Asian Red Deer and is native to northern India.
- Recognized as the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir, the Hangul predominantly inhabits Dachigam National Park, thriving at elevations reaching 3,035 meters. At the onset of the 20th century, their population stood at around 5000 individuals.
- Regrettably, these deer faced significant threats such as habitat destruction, overgrazing by domestic livestock, and poaching.
- Consequently, their numbers plummeted to a mere 150 by 1970. In response to this alarming decline, the state of Jammu Kashmir, in collaboration with the IUCN and the WWF, initiated a conservation initiative known as Project Hangul.
- The implementation of Project Hangul yielded noteworthy outcomes, leading to a substantial increase in the population to over 340 individuals by the year 1980.
- This concerted effort played a pivotal role in the protection and rejuvenation of the Hangul population, safeguarding the subspecies from the brink of endangerment.
HABITAT OF HANGUL
- The Hangul, or Kashmir stag, occupies a diverse range of habitats, including deciduous woodlands, upland moors, open mountainous areas (sometimes above the tree line), natural grasslands, pastures, and meadows.
- This species exhibits seasonal variations in habitat preference to optimize food availability.
- During the winter, Hangul tends to favor mixed oak forests, where it can find suitable shelter.
- In the summer, when food resources are more abundant, it shifts to habitats with mulberry (Morus) trees and riverine landscapes.
- In woodlands, its diet primarily consists of shrub and tree shoots, although it also consumes grasses and shrubs in other environments.
- Hangul is commonly found in mountainous regions, spending the summers in alpine meadows and seeking shelter in valleys during the winters.
- Its habitat preferences vary with the seasons, showing a tendency to choose wooded hillsides during the summer and open grasslands in the winter when residing on level terrain.
- Surveys indicate that specific areas, such as the Akhal and Kangan blocks within the Sindh Forest Division, hold particular importance for Hangul during the summer months.
- This is especially noteworthy when considering the heightened human and livestock activities in the upper subalpine reaches of Dachigam National Park during this season.
THREATS TO HANGUL
Hangul conservation and population expansion face significant challenges, as highlighted by experts, with habitat fragmentation, predation, and an imbalanced male-to-female ratio being among the most prominent obstacles. The following issues contribute to the complexities surrounding Hangul conservation efforts:
- Breeding Challenges: The population’s growth is hindered by a lack of suitable breeding conditions and challenges in ensuring the survival of fawns.
- Gender and Age Disparities: Disparities in the male-to-female ratio and the imbalances between fawn and adult populations present difficulties for Hangul conservation.
- Nomadic Herds’ Influx: The continuous influx of animal herds from nomadic settlements into Dachigam National Park poses a persistent problem, affecting the ecosystem and the Hangul population.
- Inadequate Patrolling: Challenges arise from insufficient patrolling efforts to prevent wildlife crimes, further exacerbating the threats faced by Hangul.
- Security Concerns: Security concerns in certain parts of Dachigam National Park make it challenging to implement effective protection activities, compromising conservation initiatives.
- Nomadic Grazing Restrictions: The closure of traditional paths leading to mountain meadows in Gurez, as a result of the armed conflict in Kashmir, has prevented nomads from grazing their herds, leading them to bring large herds to the higher reaches of Dachigam during the summer.
- Predation Threats: Hangul populations face threats from predators such as the Common Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, and dogs owned by nomads, particularly preying on fawns.
- Genetic Vulnerability: In comparison to other species, the Hangul population in the Dachigam landscape exhibits low genetic variation, making it susceptible to the detrimental effects of inbreeding.
OTHER CONSERVATION EFFORTS FOR HANGUL
Mitigating the threat of poaching is identified as the most critical aspect of Hangul conservation, despite ongoing efforts. Several strategic interventions are proposed to safeguard the Hangul population and its habitat:
- Anti-Poaching Measures: The foremost conservation intervention focuses on eliminating poaching threats to the Hangul, prioritizing the implementation of robust anti-poaching strategies.
- Nomadic Livestock Control: Preventing the incursion of nomadic livestock herders is crucial to reducing competition for grazing grounds and minimizing the risk of disease transmission. This measure aims to create a more favorable environment for Hangul and alleviate pressure on their habitat.
- Herding Dog Management: Implementing measures to control depredation by herding dogs is expected to enhance fawn survival rates by minimizing threats from canine predators.
- Predator Control: Managing the population of problematic leopards and Asiatic black bears in the area is suggested to reduce predation on Hangul fawns, contributing to increased survival rates.
- Habitat Reintroduction: Reintroducing Hangul to its original local habitats and establishing effective conservation mechanisms are vital for restoring and preserving the species.
- Habitat Expansion: Expanding the Hangul’s range involves maintaining upper Dachigam subalpine and alpine meadows, along with areas previously occupied, free from livestock and other anthropogenic pressures like poaching.
- Scientific Research and Mapping: Undertaking extensive scientific research, mapping, and protecting forest patches where Hangul habitat remains intact are essential components of conservation efforts.
- Comprehensive Management Plan: Developing a comprehensive management plan is crucial for identifying priority conservation and research activities, ensuring effective Hangul conservation and habitat preservation.
- Greater Dachigam Mega Preserve: Proposing a ‘mega preserve’ in Greater Dachigam aims to enhance protection in the Buffer Zone by upgrading conservation reserves.
- Eco-Sensitive Zone Creation: Creating an Eco-sensitive Zone, especially in the last Shikargah sub-populations in the Tral and Sindh areas, is envisioned to safeguard the Hangul’s habitat.
- Conservation Breeding: Prioritizing conservation breeding efforts is emphasized to protect the Hangul. Re-establishing populations in human-free habitats, such as Overa Wildlife Sanctuary and Shikargah Conservation Reserve, is identified as vital for this purpose.
Implementing these comprehensive strategies and interventions is imperative to secure the Hangul population and its habitat for long-term conservation success.
FAQs – Kashmir Red Stag (Hangul) Conservation
1-What is the Kashmir red stag, and why is it significant?
A: The Kashmir red stag, scientifically known as Hangul, is a subspecies of elk native to northern India. It holds significance as the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir and is recognized as one of the most endangered mammal species in the Indian subcontinent.
2-How did the Hangul get its name, and what was its initial classification?
A: Hangul, also referred to as the Kashmir red stag, was initially classified as a subspecies of European red deer. Its name “Hangul” is derived from the native language.
3-Where is the primary habitat of the Hangul located?
A: Historically, the Hangul was distributed across the mountains of Kashmir Himalaya, Chenab Valley in Jammu, and parts of the Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh. However, the current viable population resides in the Greater Dachigam landscape, primarily in Dachigam National Park.
4-What are the preferred habitats of Hangul, and how does it adapt seasonally?
A: Hangul inhabits deciduous woodlands, upland moors, mountainous areas, grasslands, and meadows. Its habitat preference varies seasonally, favoring mixed oak forests in winter and mulberry Morus landscapes and riverine habitats in summer when food is abundant.
5-Why is the Hangul considered endangered, and what threats does it face?
A: Hangul has faced endangerment since the 1950s due to habitat destruction, overgrazing, poaching, and an imbalanced male-to-female ratio. Threats include habitat fragmentation, predation, nomadic herds’ influx, inadequate patrolling, and security concerns in Dachigam National Park.
6-What conservation efforts have been undertaken for the Hangul population?
A: Project Hangul, initiated by the state of Jammu Kashmir, the IUCN, and the WWF, played a vital role in increasing the Hangul population to over 340 individuals by 1980. Conservation measures include anti-poaching strategies, nomadic livestock control, herding dog management, predator control, habitat reintroduction, and scientific research.
7-How is the Hangul population managed in terms of breeding and genetic diversity?
A: Challenges include breeding difficulties, imbalances in the male-to-female ratio, and genetic vulnerability. Conservation efforts emphasize habitat reintroduction, expansion, and a comprehensive management plan to address these challenges and promote genetic diversity.
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