Kashmir Stag – Wildlife Conservation

The Kashmir Stag, also known as Hangul (Cervus elephus hanglu), belongs to the Red Deer family and is native to the region. It is one of the two races of Red Deer found in the sub-continent, the other being the Shou (Cervus elaphus wallichi) in Bhutan. Unfortunately, the Hangul is listed as an endangered species in the Red Data Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

The population of the Hangul declined rapidly after the creation of India and Pakistan in 1947, with an estimated population of 3000 reduced to just 170 by 1970. To address this decline, a Joint Project was initiated by the Jammu & Kashmir Government and the IUCN/World Wildlife Fund in 1970 to conserve the Hangul and develop a management plan for its primary habitat, the Dachigam Sanctuary near Srinagar. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the government and conservation organizations, the population of the Hangul has increased to over 350.

The Hangul is primarily a forest-dwelling animal, often found alone or in small groups. It has a matriarchal social system and migrates between lower and higher elevations depending on the season. The rutting season, which occurs from mid-September to mid-October, is marked by the loud roars of the master stag as it establishes its territory and mates with hinds.

Natural predators of the Hangul include the Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, and leopard. While predation is a natural occurrence, the main threat to the Hangul’s population has historically been human activities such as poaching and habitat destruction. Efforts to address these threats and implement sound management plans have led to improvements in the conservation status of the Hangul in the Dachigam Sanctuary.

Overall, the increasing population of the Hangul in Dachigam is a testament to the effectiveness of conservation efforts and the importance of protecting this majestic species and its habitat.