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1 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) 1 [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 www.forestrynepal.org 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 2 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, www.forestrynepal.org 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 3 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. www.forestrynepal.org 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