Download An Overview of Hangul (Cervus elaphus hanglu

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An Overview of Hangul (Cervus elaphus hanglu,
Wagner) in Dachigam National Park, Kashmir
(India)
Malik Ahsaf Aziz1 , Shazia Lone, and Fayaz Ahmad Lone
Division of Environmental Sciences, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, J&K – 191 121 (India)
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[email protected]
Abstract-The Hangul (Cervus elaphus hanglu) or Kashmir
stage is presently surviving only under the moist temperate
forests of Kashmir region. Most of its population is concentrated
in the world famous Dachigam National Park which covers an
area of 141 square kilometers and is located on foothills of
Zabarwan range among the high mountains of the mighty
western Himalayas. Hangul has been declared critically
endangered species by Red Data Book of the International Union
for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). The
declining population of Hangul in Jammu and Kashmir is
because of the shrinkage of forests, fragmentation of natural
habitat due to closure of corridor links between Overa Wildlife
Sanctuary and Shikargah Conservation Reserve as well as other
potential habitats, contamination of high altitude water bodies
and climatic changes due to tourism and recreation and high
population pressure.
Keywords- Hangul, habitat, biotic interference, endangered
I. INTRODUCTION
Hangul, Kashmir stag being the state animal is a subspecies
of European Red Deer. Although more than 150 species of
deer are recognized globally, Hangul is the only surviving
race of the Red Deer family of Europe in the sub-continent as
the Shou (Cervus elaphus Wallichi) of Bhutan is now
considered extinct by experts. The population of Hangul was
assessed to be about 5,000 animals in the beginning of the 20 th
century. Dachigam was home to about 2000 animals in 1947.
Thereafter, a drastic decline in the Hangul population was
observed. Their total population dwindled to as low as 150
animals by 1970. With the launch of project Hangul in 1970,
by the State along with IUCN and WWF their population
showed an increasing trend. Hangul was once distributed
widely in the mountains of Kashmir (Schaller, 1969). Besides
other causes poaching is the main cause of depletion
(Holloway, 1974). Dachigam National Park is also rich in
flora especially Morus, Rubinia, Populus, Salix, Quercus,
Acer, Celtis and Juglans etc. and among conifers, the species
being cedrus, pinus, abies etc. The park is also rich in some
shrubs and herbs which constitute the main feed material for
hangul. The forest is divided into two equal halves by the
stream originating from Marsar lake and drains finally into the
Harwan reserviour (Kurt, 1970).
II. HABITAT
According to a number of reports, hangul expanded their
range during the summer months, spending the period from
mid-June to mid-September at an altitude of some 3000. Most
of the high areas of Dachigam, namely the whole of upper
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Dachigam including the areas of Dagwan, Nagaberan and
Marsar, are today occupied by vast herds of livestock. The
southern slopes in lower Dachigam are gentle. Their ridges are
covered by coniferous forests or grasslands which attract deer
as well as shepherds from the neighboring villages. The
northern slopes of lower Dachigam are topped by similar
ridges. But these areas have been dominated by manmade
savannas and formerly used as feeding grounds by hangul
during heavy snowfall on the steeper slopes.
III. FOOD
The valley floor is narrow and carries mainly deciduous
broadleaved genera which are the main contributors of food
for hangul during winter (Table-1). It is a den dwelling animal
having browsing tendency. Generally in natural habitat, it
browses flowers, leaves, tender shoots of shrubs (Table-2) and
herbs (Table-3). They also feed Lichens, Mosses, Ferns,
Mushrooms and other members of Ascomycetes.
TABLE-1: TREE SPECIES FOUND IN DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK AS FEED
STOCK FOR HANGUL
Botanical name
Morus alba
Salix fragilis
Salix aegyptica
Celtis australis
Ulmus laevigata
Ulmus wallichiana
Quercus ilex
Rubinia pseudoacacia
Ailenthus
Betula ultilis
Juglans regia
Local name
Tul
Kashir vir
Bred mushk
Brimij
Bren
Breri
Jamal gote
Kiker
Punjab kikar
Burzi
Doon kul
Family
Moraceae
Salicacea
Salicacea
Ulmaceae
Ulmaceae
Ulmaceae
Cupalifera
Mimosoida
Sunarubacea
Betulacea
Juglandacae
TABLE-2: SHRUB SPECIES FOUND IN DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK AS FEED
FOR HANGUL
Botanical name
Parrotia jacquenmontiana
Prunus domestica
Prunus persica
Rumex napalensis
Prunus prostrates
Rubus fruticocus
Rubus hofemastraines
Rosa webbiana
Berberis lycicum
Lonicera myrtillus
Rosa beggeriana
Local name
Posh/Hatab
Aer
Tsunum
Abrj
Wosh-kan
Chanch
Daan chanch
Arwal
Kaw dachh
Pakhur
Bil bichar fal
Family
Caprifloracea
Rosaceae
Rosacae
Polygonaceae
Rosacae
Rosacae
Rosacae
Rosacae
Berberidaceae
Caprifoliaceae
Rosacae
Published: July 17, 2010
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TABLE-3: HERB SPECIES FOUND IN DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK AS FEED FOR
HANGUL
Botanical name
Dipsacus inermis
Lychnis coronaria
Polygonum alpinum
Sorghum helipense
Euphorbia medoleni
Euphorbia helioscopia
Viola biflora
Local name
Wopal hakh
Wata kram
Tsoka ladar/Drab
Burham
Gur dodh
Gur sotsol
Noone
Family
Dipsacaceae
Caryophyllaceae
Polygonaceae
Graminae
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Violaceae
IV. HANGUL POPULATION
Dachigam was home to about 2000 animals in 1947 (Table4). Thereafter a drastic decline in hangul population was
observed. Their population dwindled to as low as 150 animals
in 1970. With the launch of Project Hangul in 1970, by the
State along with IUCN and WWF their population showed an
increasing trend. The population recorded was 347 in 1980,
430 in 1982, 482 in 1983, 554 in 1984 and to about 1000
heads in 1989 (Kurt, 1992). However, assessment of hangul
population in Dachigam during last two decades again
reverted a distressing situation with presence of only 400
animals in 1990s and 150-170 heads including less than 20
adult males in 2003. The census carried out in March, 2008
revealed presence of around 117-199 animals. The latest
estimated population, March 2009, puts their number between
201 and 234 with the male-female ratio and female fawn ratio
showing an upward swing. In the past the male-female ratio
was 10:15 respectively (Schaller, 1969). Hangul is native to
northern India, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. It was
distributed widely in the mountains of Kashmir extending
from Karen in Kishenganga catchment in Bandipora over to
Dorus in Lolab valley, Erin catchments in Bandipora to
Chenab valley in Kishtwar and small populations in Chamba
district of Himachal Pradesh and also has been reported from
forest areas of Wangath, Kangan and Tethwal, Bungus valley
and other areas of Kupwara.
TABLE-4: HANGUL POPULATION IN DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK
Year
No.
Year
No.
1900
1947
1970
1980
1982
1983
5000
2000
150
347
430
482
1984
1989
1990
2003
2008
2009
554
1000
400
150-170
117-119
201-234
V. CAUSES OF DEPLETION
Habitat fragmentation : The habitat of hangul has been
disturbed by many factors and the prominent ones being
metallic road from Lower Dachigam to Upper Dachigam,
fragmentation by fish farm, sheep farm, water supply from
Marsar lake to Dachigam village and adjacent areas,
transmission lines and also encroachment by agricultural
activities which limits the movement of hangul in the Park.
Biotic interference : No doubt, poaching has been cent per
cent controlled by the management but disturbances by
several departments of Jammu and Kashmir Government,
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such as Game (Protection and Animal Enclosures), Fisheries
(Trout Hatchery), Tawaza entertainment (VIP Lodge at
Draphama), Public Works (Maintenance of main road),
Horticulture (Garden of VIP Lodge), Water and Irrigation,
Public Health, Domestic Livestock (Sheep Farm). Vehicular
traffic which is the second most source of interference is also
responsible for noise and air pollution in the Park. There is
also every chances of disease transfer from sheep to hangul
and may deplete the population.
Predation: Predation is the natural phenomenon and it is
seen almost in all animals. But when conservation is the
ultimate goal, predation too is adverse, hence not allowed.
Four large, Predators could be considered to influence the
hangul population, i.e. brown bear, snow leopard, leopard and
Himalayan black bear. But leopard had been seen the main
predator which has caused maximum decline in its population.
Climate change: Due to high population explosion and
heavy pressure of tourists visiting the valley and the park itself
has caused a significant decline in hangul population.
Contamination of high altitude water bodies is another factor
of concern which has also declined its population in the
valley.
VI. CONSERVATION STRATEGY
The state government has initiated the following steps on
war footing for the conservation of hangul:
 Enforcement of J&K Wildlife Protection Act, 1978.
 Antipoaching squads at strategic points.
 Grazing strictly regulated.
Habitat conditions have been improved in the naturally
occurring ecosystem of the protected areas.
Participatory management and awareness programmes were
launched to restore the status of wildlife in the valley.
VII.
MANAGEMENT ISSUES
The prevailing scenario in the National Park is almost
satisfactory at present. There are many issues to be resolved
by the Wildlife Department for ensuring proper conservation
of hangul and its habitat. The core issues being:
 Issues relating to habitat fragmentation (encroachment,
canals and reservoirs, road repairments, army
establishment, etc.)
 Issues relating to human interference (VIP lodge
interference, laborers for public work, sheep farm,
trout hatchery, etc.)
 Issues relating to scientific management (scientific
conservation techniques, advanced technique of
census, separate conservation/ breeding reserve).
VIII.
CONCLUSION
It is quite evident from the foregoing discussions that
efforts for hangul conservation in Dachigam National Park
have been successful to the extent of balancing the population
but the overall conservation scenario continues to be dismal.
However, a lot of management and research input is required
to increase the population of hangul. Restoration or
conservation measures need to be taken, which include
enforcement of legislation, evaluation of the habitat vis-à-vis
factors responsible for its degradation, critical evaluation of
Published: July 17, 2010
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any developmental programme for its impact on the nature,
evaluation and regular monitoring of the species status,
understanding the biology of the species, development of
methodologies for conservation and promotion of habitat and
animal species based on latest scientific approaches, public
awareness, successful breeding of other deer species in
captivity and use of latest technology like cloning using
potential surrogates like goat for Hangul. Care takers of
hangul, animal scientists and veterinarians can play a
significant role in improving its population status in the park.
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IX. REFERENCES
Schaller, G.B. 1969. Observations on the hangul or Kashmir Stag (Cervus
elaphus hanglu Wagner). J. Bombay Nat. His. Soc. 66(1) : 1-7.
Kurt, F. 1970. Kashmir deer (Cervus elaphus hanglu) in Dachigam.
IUCN/WWF. Project No. 1103 (22-4) Hangul, India, 87-108.
Kurt, F. 1992. Kashmir deer (Cervus elaphus hanglu) in Dachigam.
IUCN/WWF. Project No. 1103 (22-4) Hangul, India, 108-140.
Hollway, C.W. 1974. Management plan for Dachigam Sanctury. Cyclostyled.
pp 66.
Published: July 17, 2010