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REVIEW ARTICLE Hungul ( elaphus hanglu; Red ) As Flagship Species of : A Brief Review

Maviya Majid 1, Manpreet Kaur 1, Waseem Ahmad 2* and Sikander Gul 3

1School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences CT University Ludhiana, . 2*Department of Botany, 3Department of Environmental Sciences, Government Degree College , India.

Abstract Dachigam National Park is one single compact catchment area in the

central Kashmir that has a unique and diverse type of fauna and flora.

Dachigam occupies almost half of the catchment zone of the famous . The National Park is significant in the sense that it is the only area in the world where last viable population of (Hangul) is in existence. The Kashmir Red Deer or Hangul ( Cervus elaphus hanglu ) a member of family cervidae being the state is presently surviving only under the moist temperate forests of Kashmir region. The Park is

foster mother nurturing rich assets of threatened as well as rare flora and fauna. The faunal, floral, ecological and geomorphologic significance together with proximity to has added splendor shine to the glory of *Corresponding Author: Dachigam, as a gene pool for rebosement, protection and propagation of Waseem Ahmad Wildlife. Dachigam is a stupendous example, which represents and preserves significant ecological and biological processes in the way of Email: [email protected] evolution and development of various ecosystems consisting of several communities of plants and animal species. Most significantly, Dachigam Received: 12/07/2019 national park provides suitable habitat for the in-situ conservation of Accepted: 28/08/2019 Hangul, which is critically endangered, and needs attention for the conservation of species, which have global importance such as Himalayan

Grey Langur, Himalayan Yellow Langur, throated Marten, Asiatic black

bear, Common Leopard. Red Data Book of the International Union has declared Hangul for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). The declining population of Hangul in Kashmir is because of the shrinkage of forests due to deforestation, fragmentation of natural habitat, closure of corridor links between Overall Wildlife Sanctuary and Shikargah Conservation Reserve as well as other potential habitats, contamination of high altitude water bodies due to dam projects and climatic changes due to tourism and recreation and also high population pressure has significantly

curbed the wild population of Hangul.

Keywords: Dachigam, Hangul, Declining population, Wild life, Climatic changes.

1. Introduction The carrying capacity of the is decreasing The Jammu and Kashmir state is the northern day by day due to the heavy pressure of both increasing most state of the country and known for its human and livestock population. The Western biodiversity, natural beauty and for the uniqueness Himalayan ecosystem, of which Jammu and Kashmir is found in the species composition. The rapidly a part, has been recognised as a repository of local increasing population, infrastructure development is conservation traditions that promote the careful use of causing deforestation, depletion of natural resources natural resources in order to maintain a long-term and conditions of paucity. The Himalayas, which play sustainability and to support local socio-economic vital role not only in Indian but also in sub-continental condition. Dachigam National park was a hunting economy, is in the grip of environmental degradation. reserve or ‘rakh’ of the Maharaja of Jammu and

Journal of Wildlife Research | July-September, 2019 | Volume 07 | Issue 03 | Pages 50-58 © 2019 Jakraya Majid et al...Hungul (Cervus Elaphus Hanglu; Red Deer) As Flagship Species of Dachigam National Park: A Brief Review

Kashmir for a long time from 1910 until 1947, after Representation of flagship species was mainly centered that its management was handed over to Department of on large-bodied . Their main proponents were Hospitality and Protocol (Fisheries Department, conservation NGO’S perhaps a reflection of the fact Directorate of game preservation) and subsequently to that flagships are mobilized to profile conservation the Forest Department. It was managed under the projects. The popular meaning of flagships, i.e. a leader Wildlife wing of Forest Department and later or brand that is held to be the best of its kind (Simpson Dachigam was declared as a sanctuary by state order and Weiner, 1989), plays a vital role in communicating no. 276/C in 1951 (Holloway, 1970; Holloway and storylines and generating public sympathy for these Wani, 1970). Dachigam Wildlife sanctuary was mammals. A case in point is the giant panda, one of the upgraded to National Park on 4 February 1981 (state most featured flagship species. Here, the metaphor of order no. FST/20) by the Government of Jammu and representation raises the panda’s profile and influences Kashmir. The management of Dachigam National Park the way people value species. Framed as ‘‘an animal is handed over to the newly formed Department of ambassador to the health of our planet’’ (Tampa Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir 1982 after Tribune, 8 September 2003), pandas are construed as separation from Forest Department. The park is divided special. ‘‘These species need special measures and into two administrative unit Lower and Upper extra protection in order to survive they help numerous Dachigam which are administered by Central and other species that live in the same habitat’’ (Topeka South Wildlife Divisions respectively. Today it is Capital-Journal, 2 September 2007). They call for more managed in IUCN category - II (National Park). The concentrated conservation efforts and need to be outstanding conservation values made Dachigam ‘‘rescued from the list of seriously endangered National Park as one of the most important protected ’’ (The New York Times, 19 September 2000). areas and it holds the last viable population of Kashmir The ability of pandas to signal and highlight was stag ‘Hangul’. Flagship species; “Popular charismatic evoked by a zoo to counter accusations of neglecting species that serve as symbols and rallying points to less charismatic species: ‘‘Our point in getting pandas stimulate conservation awareness and action”. wasn’t to make money but to promote conservation and Heywood (1995) ‘Charismatic’ species that draw education. Pandas help us do that because they’re the financial support more easily and by doing so serve to poster child for conservation. And if people know that protect habitat and other species’. Meffe and Carroll pandas need our attention to survive, they’ll start to (1997), “A species that has become a symbol and look at other animals and ask what they can do to help leading element of an entire conservation campaign”. them survive as well.’’ (Tampa Tribune, 8 September Simberloff (1998), Explanations of the flagship species 2003). Red deer of Kashmir commonly known as concept centered on the metaphor of representation Hangul ( Cervus elaphus hanglu ), the state animal of (e.g. ‘‘hungul in dachigam’’, ‘‘A powerful symbol of Jammu and Kashmir is critically endangered by the the ecosystem that needs to be preserved’’). This IUCN. Conservation of this species assumes metaphor endows flagships with capacities of significance as this is the only survivor of Red Deer signalling, highlighting and attraction (e.g. ‘‘Signalling Group in the Indian sub-continent as the Shou ( Cervus the health of habitat relied upon by hungul species’’; elaphus Wallichi ) of Bhutan is now considered extinct ‘‘Species that helps highlight problems of the natural by experts. Prior to 1950, the deer was quite abundant world’’; ‘‘Species that attracts funding’’). The and distributed widely in mountains of Kashmir metaphor allows linkages between single species and (Schaller, 1969b). However, after 1950, depletion in ecosystem conservation to be made (e.g. ‘‘Protecting numbers of Hangul was attributed to mass poaching hungul the flagship benefits a large number of plants and loss of its habitat to agriculture and stock-grazing. and animals’’, ‘‘Conservation work done for the At present, the only harboring habitat of deer is flagship hugely beneficial to others’’). However, it also Dachigam National Park and its adjoining areas profiles particular species by conceiving them as (Khursheed, 2007). The decline occurred there also as ambassadors or messengers for conservation (e.g. from an estimated 2000 Hangul in 1947 (Gee, 1965), ‘‘Pandas are animal ambassador to the health of our only 140 to 170 survived in 1970 (Holloway, 1970). planet’’, ‘‘Polar bears are flagships for the message of Grazing, poaching and disturbance due to human climate change’’). Further, flagships are able to activities were identified as major factors affecting promote (e.g. ‘‘promote local interest in conservation recovery of Hangul in Dachigam (Kurt, 1978, 1979). issues’’, ‘‘promotes collective responsibility to Due to declaration of Dachigam as a National Park in conserve habitats and wildlife’’), provide and protect 1981 and measures taken for its rehabilitation, the deer (e.g. ‘‘Protects habitat that provides living space for numbers started increasing to appreciable extent. But others’’, ‘‘the flagship provides protection for the outbreak of militancy in 1989 and political unrest in the whole community of wildlife that coexists with it’’). state thereafter, once again put the deer in great trouble.

Journal of Wildlife Research | July-September, 2019 | Volume 07 | Issue 03 | Pages 50-58 © 2019 Jakraya 51 Majid et al...Hungul (Cervus Elaphus Hanglu; Red Deer) As Flagship Species of Dachigam National Park: A Brief Review

The latest census exercises conducted by Wildlife summer female forms groups in small units or mother Department of J and K from 2004 to 2009 have put the fawn which may associate for shorter periods forming numbers in between 150 to 200. In 2006, Hangul sex groups of 12-16 members and males are found in single ratio was 21 males per 100 females however, fawn- or in small stag units of 2-9 members. Various climatic female ratio seems to be an important concern as it factors and requirements of food, protection from shows significant decline from 23 to 9 fawns per 100 predators etc. may bring these groups together in a females between 2004 and 2006 (DWP, 2006). single unit. Each unit with its component groups has its Thereafter, due to efforts of department of wildlife grazing territory, a low level winter territory which protection, the population showed encouraged trends as gives more or less direct access to high level summer indicated by 2009 census report (27 males/100 females territory. The wintering territory that is Lower and 28 fawns/100 females). The present information Dachigam is really “the home ground”. The oak therefore attempts to highlight possible causes of patches offer good cover during winters and are very decline and to recommend management strategies for much preferred for resting. Since the oak patch is very conservation of Hangul deer. near the main road therefore due to heavy vehicular traffic deer avoids these patches during day time while 2. Dachigam National Park as sighting is very frequent afterwards. Dachigam National Park, the only abode of critically endangered Hangul is situated at 21 km 4. Threats or Declining Factors of Hungul northeast of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir state of Population India approximately between latitudes 34° 05 ʹ and 34° The Kashmir Red deer or Hangul ( Cervus 12 ʹ North and longitudes 74° 54 ʹ and 75° 09 ʹ East. elaphus hanglu ) is one of the four eastern most 2 Roughly rectangular, the Park is 141 km in area. It is distributed subspecies of red deer. Today, the only approximately 24 km in length and 6 km in breadth viable population of Hangul is restricted to Dachigam ranging in altitude from 1700 to 4000 m. A more or National Park and adjoining protected areas (Kurt, less continuous range of mountains except in the west 1978; Iqbal et al ., 2005; Ahmad et al ., 2005; Ahmad, where it has been artificially fenced, borders the Park. 2006). Hangul is placed under schedule-I in the Jammu 2 The Park has two ranges: lower Dachigam (26 km ) and Kashmir State Wildlife Protection Act, 1978 and in 2 and upper Dachigam (115 km ) roughly divided on the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and least basis of forest types, altitudinal range and movements concerned in IUCN 2010. The Dachigam Hangul of deer. The Park exhibits a variety of vegetation types population has shown a decreasing trend from 1940’s (Singh and Kachroo, 1976) and experiences sub- till 2004. The numbers have declined drastically since Mediterranean type of climate. 1947 (Gee, 1966; Schaller, 1969; Holloway, 1970; Department of Wildlife Protection, 2004). The 3. Habits, Habitat and Distribution Dachigam Hangul population was about 1000-2000 Hangul, Kashmir Red Deer being the state just before independence but by late 1950’s, it was animal is a subspecies of European Red Deer. Although reduced to some 400 individuals (Gee, 1966). The more than 150 species of deer are recognized globally, number of Hangul estimated in November 1969 in Hangul is the only surviving race of the Red Deer Dachigam was approximately 150-200 (Holloway and family of Europe in the subcontinent. Hangul was once Schaller, 1970). According to Holloway (1970), the distributed relatively widely in the mountains of total number of Hangul of the Dachigam population Kashmir. However, the only viable population today is was 140-170 individuals in February 1970. Population in Dachigam National Park where it is distributed estimations carried out in winter 1976/77 and in April between elevations of 1,700 m to 3,500 m. This area 1977 estimated the Dachigam population at about 250 harbours broad leaved mesophyll forest of Maple ( Acer individuals, an increase of 25% from 1975 (Kurt, spp.), Mulberry ( Morus alba ), Ulmus spp., Rubus spp., 1978). This conclusion was attributed to the fact that Salix spp., Walnut ( Juglans regia ), Hatab ( Parrotia poaching had been largely contained with the jacquenmontiana ), a variety of conifers such as Deodar assistance of Indian Armed Forces (Kurt, 1978). After (Cedrus deodara ), Blue pine ( Pinus wallichiana ), the 1980’s the population of Hangul showed marked Spruce ( Picea smithiana ) and Fir ( Abies pindrow ). fluctuations, a reflection of either true population Hanguls are found in single or small groups of 2 to 25 fluctuations or inadequacies in population estimations members. With the onset of spring, groups separate and carried out. The recent census done in March 2011 has during summer mixed groups are hardly seen. The provided an estimate of 218±13.68 Hangul for social organisation of deer shows it is matriarchal, Dachigam and adjoining areas (Department of Wildlife mature stags live apart from the hinds except during the Protection, 2011). The young to female ratio in Hangul rut, the care of the young is left entirely on the hinds. In was reported to range between 21 to 51 young/100

Journal of Wildlife Research | July-September, 2019 | Volume 07 | Issue 03 | Pages 50-58 © 2019 Jakraya 52 Majid et al...Hungul (Cervus Elaphus Hanglu; Red Deer) As Flagship Species of Dachigam National Park: A Brief Review females during February and March (Department of by nomads who take their livestock to upper reaches of Wildlife Protection, 1996; 1997; 2000; 2001; 2002; the park during summer is still a major cause of Hangul 2003). Schaller (1969) reported 45 juveniles to 100 decline (Stockley, 1936; Gee, 1965). Full-fledged females. The counts from 2000 to 2004 indicate a settlements of nomads in upper Dachigam have been decreasing trend (Department of Wildlife Protection, encountered during summer (Bhat, 2008). Poaching is 1996; 1997; 2000; 2001; 2002; 2003). Poaching was evident from the fact that some of them possessed herd identified as the principal cause of decline of the protection guns that could also be used for poaching Hangul (Gee, 1966; Schaller, 1969; Holloway and (Bhat, 2008). There are recent reports of Hangul Schaller, 1970; Kurt, 1978). However, the department poaching in the park (DWP, 2011). undertook an important step by stationing infantry from the Indian Army Forces in Dachigam to cope up with 5.2 Increases in Predator Numbers poachers. Poaching seems to have decreased There seems to be an increase in the population significantly, although these anti-poaching patrols that of predators (mainly leopard and black bear) on were operating during the rut and winter months were account of an actual increase in the population or an restricted only to Lower Dachigam (Kurt, 1978). The artificial increase by release of conflict animals. There poaching by Gujjars, Bakarwals and other sheperds, seems to have been a dramatic increase in the number who take their livestock to Upper Dachigam during of leopards sighted in Dachigam and also evidence summer, is the main cause for Hangul decline (hair) of hangul in leopard scats. This may also have (Stockley, 1936; Gee, 1965). This is compounded in caused the low dam to fawn ratio prevalent in Dachigam by the large scale biotic interference due to Dachigam at present. Four large Predators could be grazing by the State Animal Husbandry Department considered to influence the Hangul population, i.e. owned cattle which use Dagwan in Upper Dachigam as brown bear, , leopard and Himalayan a grazing ground. In the vast areas of Nageberan and black bear. But leopard had been seen the main Marser, thousands of sheep, local graziers, gujjars from predator which has caused maximum decline in its Kashmir as well as Bakarwals and Banyaris from population. Deer are more prone to predation by Jammu, graze goat, horses and cattle. This has created leopard during winter when movements of Hangul get potential competitors and persistent sources of restricted to few deciduous habitats of lower Dachigam disturbance for Hangul during summers. The Dachigam (Shah et al ., 2009). There is a direct relationship Hangul population decreased from 3000 animals in between habitat shrinkage and probability of prey 1940’s to some 200 by 1969 while the sheep introduced locations by predator. This is a usual phenomenon of in Dachigam National Park in 1961 by the State park that occurs during winter when snow covers the Animal Husbandry Department increased from 20 to ground. Some prey species tend to congregate in small some 3000 during the same period. The sheep spend areas in deeper snow as forage becomes unavailable the summer in Upper Dachigam and winter in Lower elsewhere (Fuller, 1991) and encounter rate may Dachigam (Kurt, 1978). High livestock densities may increase (Huggard, 1993). So Hangul predation by out-compete native Trans-Himalayan wild ungulates leopard is more during winter and it has been reported (Mishra, 2001). Empirical studies in the adjoining areas that more than 60% of leopard diet is constituted by of Spiti, has established that the Hangul (Khursheed, 2007). When deer come down to Bharal gets out competed by livestock. The Deer and lower reaches during winter and remain concentrated in sheep have similar preferences in grazing and are hence a small belt of lower Dachigam, they become easy competitive (Darling, 1937; Smith, 1953). targets of leopard (Bhat, 2008; Shah et al ., 2009). The fawns are more vulnerable to bear predation during 5. Problems Causing Decline in Numbers summer due to excessive movements of bears in lower Dachigam owing to availability of fruit and other food 5.1 Poaching items (Bhat, 2008). Schaller (1969a) has also reported Hunting was regulated under law, later with the that black bear is one of the main predators killing change in legal setup and enforcement poaching got young ones of Hangul deer. Bhat (2008) has recorded controlled to a large extent. But with the changing bear predation risks associated with Hangul deer in political scenario and with the intent of normalcy in the park and reported that on the onset of winter bear and valley, Poaching could be envisaged a potential threat Hangul deer share same habitats in lower belts of to Hangul in coming years. Poaching has been Dachigam which are devoid of food for black bear identified as main cause of decline of Hangul in the making Hangul more vulnerable to bear predation past (Gee, 1965; Holloway, 1970) and comprised both (Bhat, 2008). civilian and military personnel (Kurt, 1978). Poaching

Journal of Wildlife Research | July-September, 2019 | Volume 07 | Issue 03 | Pages 50-58 © 2019 Jakraya 53 Majid et al...Hungul (Cervus Elaphus Hanglu; Red Deer) As Flagship Species of Dachigam National Park: A Brief Review

5.3 Grazing of Domestic Livestock in Summer These activities not only led to dispersal of Hangul Grounds groups but also to depletion of food spectrum (Bhat, Hangul is locally migrant, moving attitudinally 2008). between high altitude grazing grounds in summer and then descending to lower altitudes where they over 5.7 Charcoal Making winter. The females drop fawns in May at these low This activity has been recorded in lower altitudes while males who segregate from females Dachigam during autumn months (Bhat, 2008). move to higher altitudes. Thus movement is necessary and by causing continual disturbance in the uplands, 5.8 Fishing the natural movements of hangul are disrupted. Also, Illegal fishing of Dagwan stream which flows the rutting may happen close to these areas so the through heart of park causes disturbance to Hangul in rutting may also be disrupted. The Bakerwals, the local deciduous forests on either side of stream. This graziers and even the state run sheep breeding farm disturbance causes Hangul in general and pregnant take their livestock up to upper Dachigam during females in particular to expend more energy and are summer months. Grazing continues to be a limiting forced to move out of such habitats making them prone factor preventing hangul from full exploitation of its to predation (Bhat, 2008). habitat. The alpine meadows during summer months are occupied by large herds of herbivores of nomads 5.9 Other Anthropogenic Disturbances and sheep breeding farm, Dachigam (Bhat, 2008). The Several Govt. departments in addition to alpine meadows are rich in broad leaved herbs which wildlife staff presently exist in premises of Dachigam formed the main diet of deer during summer (Kurt, National Park. These departments include: a) Govt. 1977; Oza, 1977). Because of this enormous sheep-breeding farm. b) Fisheries department. c) disturbance in upper reaches, the deer no longer Hospitality and protocol. d) Gardens and parks. e) migrates to these areas for feeding and are forced to Water works and irrigation. f) Security forces. Most sub-optimal foraging habitats (Bhat, 2008; Khursheed, disturbances to Hangul come from staff and vehicles of 2007; Kurt, 1978, 1979). Some areas in upper these departments (Bhat, 2008). On the onset of rut Dachigam were heavily grazed and prone to erosion deer come down to lower altitudes where daily and (Bhat, 2008). There is always great danger that regular movements of VIP’s greatly affect their parasites and diseases of sheep may spread to deer breeding behaviour (Bhat et al ., 2009). The declining (Longhurst et al ., 1954). population of Hangul is because of the shrinkage of forests, fragmentation of natural habitat due to closure 5.4 Zoonotic Diseases of corridor links between Overall Wildlife Sanctuary Diseases have caused large-scale hangul and Shikargah Conservation Reserve as well as other mortality but in a single population that is small, potential habitats, contamination of high altitude water chances of spread are great and therefore caution needs bodies and climatic changes due to tourism and to be exercised. The existing Sheep Breeding Farm run recreation and high population pressure. Mushroom by the animal husbandry department could be a growth of cement factories has in the recent past potential source of transmission of zoonotic diseases cropped up in adjoining areas of the park on southern and needs to be addressed. Thus far, post mortems or side. The impact of these factories on quality of park is even disease screening has been rudimentary and multi-faceted. The emissions of smoke, particulate stricter disease screening regimes may need to be in matter and noise are again a great threat to deer and its place. habitat. The particulate matter like dust is existing as a permanent cover on surrounding vegetation. Noise of 5.5 Fuel Wood and Timber Extraction unbearable limits produced by these factories and This activity which is still prevalent in park vehicles concerned with them disturb faunal elements always disturbs Hangul and exposes them to predators. (Bhat, 2008). Men in groups of 20 to 30 extracting fuel wood and timber have been recorded from the park (Bhat, 2008). 6. Problems Restraining Growth of Hangul Population in Dachigam and Outside 5.6 Grass Cutting Areas and Those That Can Play a Nomads in addition to stock grazing harvest grass and dry it for feeding their cattle during winter. A Positive Role large number of women of nearby villages enter the park through different entry routes for grass extraction. 6.1 Fragmentation of Habitats and Disruptions in Key Movement Areas

Journal of Wildlife Research | July-September, 2019 | Volume 07 | Issue 03 | Pages 50-58 © 2019 Jakraya 54 Majid et al...Hungul (Cervus Elaphus Hanglu; Red Deer) As Flagship Species of Dachigam National Park: A Brief Review

In the past, hangul used to occur in an arc from wildlife conservation should be a part of the regular Bandipora district through Srinagar eastwards to curriculum. and Kishtwar. There was probably a constant genetic flow across these populations and contiguous 7. Conservation Measures habitats permitted movement of males across the Dachigam National Park comes under the valleys. This movement is now hampered and has Central Wildlife Division of Kashmir region and was resulted in populations becoming locally scarce or even constituted in year 1982. Before National Park status it extinct. Movement paths need to be identified and was a wildlife sanctuary. Dachigam have a history of protected. Habitats outside Dachigam may also, on management practices before the establishment of the account of not receiving adequate protection, have forest department of Jammu and Kashmir it was deteriorated. managed by the Maharaja of Kashmir as a game reserve. The area of National Park has the history of 6.2 Grazing unimaginable faunal diversity. The ecosystem harbors As in Dachigam, grazing is prevalent across one of the largest population of black bear and it is a most high altitude pastures that also are summer home for the last surviving population of Kashmir stag grounds for stags. Control or regulation of grazing in (Hangul ). The prevailing scenario in the National Park these summer grounds may provide some relief to the is almost satisfactory at present. There are many issues hangul during summer. to be resolved by the Wildlife Department for ensuring proper conservation of Hangul and its habitat. 6.3 Development a) Control of Poaching. Linear developments (mainly roads) in hangul b) Control of Grazing and other biotic habitats may caused temporary and sometimes disturbances. permanent disruptions in animal movements and this c) Weed Control. needs to be dealt with cautiously. d) Controlling ranging patterns of wild animals outside the managed habitat. 6.4 Security e) Soil erosion monitoring and control. Due to security concerns, some upland pastures, f) Animal health surveillance. especially those close to the LoC have been made out g) Man-animal coexistence. of bounds for graziers. They therefore have had to shift h) Development of infrastructure and their grazing grounds to ones already occupied adding communication. immense pressure. Suitable alternatives need to be i) Management of quarantine areas or captivity provided so that rangelands for key animal species are center of rescued animals. not violated. j) Livestock grazing in the core habitat of Hangul Deer and Musk Deer at upper Dachigam should 6.5 Poaching be completely banned. Poaching still continues in areas outside the PA k) Habitat areas of Hangul Deer and Musk Deer, network and it is imperative that this is stalled. Local especially the preferred plant species for forage forest officials and the police officials need to be taken in these areas should be protected. Efforts on board so that in absence of wildlife staff, proper should also be made for the plantation of these enforcement is done. plant species in the degraded habitats. l) For successful management of the National Park 6.6 Tourism sheep breeding farm and other interferences like While wildlife is conserved for aesthetics and to VIP lodge and trout hatchery should be removed promote tourism (eco-tourism), unregulated activities and relocated in some other part of the valley may be detrimental to its population growth. Also with better grazing. important tourism areas like and m) Scientific community should conduct research are also important areas for hangul and any plans on priority management issues. It is often development for the respective development authorities argued that the ecologists fail in communicating must be sensitive towards the requirements of the their knowledge to decision makers and, wildlife in the area, especially threatened species. therefore, have limited influence. It is, therefore necessary to link science to management in 6.7 Education order to have effective management. The advice Education has a very important role to play in provided by the researchers need to be fed into creating awareness for the hangul and other species and the developmental exercises.

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n) Awareness of public about importance of resources. So a fresh comprehensive biodiversity in general and endangered/ management plan can be worked out to protect threatened species in particular should be raised the Hangul habitats in the park. to win their support and cooperation in b) Scientific community should conduct research conservation efforts. on priority management issues. It is often argued that the ecologists/researchers fail in 8. Discussion communicating their knowledge to decision Hangul was once distributed widely in the makers and, therefore, have limited influence. It mountains and valleys of Kashmir (Schaller, 1969b). is, therefore, necessary to link science to The only Hangul report outside Jammu and Kashmir management in order to have effective was from Gamagul Siya-Behi Sanctuary in Himachal management. The advice provided by the Pradesh (Kurt, 1978). Holloway (1970) mentions its researchers need to be fed into the development distribution to be confined to an area of 65 km in width exercise. The population structure of Hangul to the North and East of Jhelum and lower Chenab deer (abundance age structure, sex ratio and Rivers from shalurah in North to Ramnagar in South. increase rate) should be analyzed and Unconfirmed reports of isolated small populations do maintained; fawning grounds need to be occur within the aforesaid range, particularly in the monitored and safe guarded as fawn-female North (Kurt, 1978). Hangul were also known to be ratio is alarming. present in the upper Bringi valley (Holloway, 1971) in c) Improvement of the vegetation in lower Bandipora, , Sindh valley, Drass valley, Lidder Dachigam by a regulated fire regime and by valley and Desu, South-East of Srinagar (Kurt, 1978). removal of senescent vegetation on grassy Iqbal et al. (2005) reported 25 percent Hangul slopes. occurrence in Leopard scats, which has contributed 61 d) Appropriate legal measures should be enforced percent of prey biomass consumed by Leopard. This in order to protect the park areas against illegal indicates substantial Leopard dependence on Hangul. exploitation and the government of Jammu and There is a possibility of predation by other carnivores Kashmir should develop and implement too like shepherds dogs, jackals, black bear and other strategies for controlling grazing in upper carnivores. Stockley (1936) has described black bears Dachigam so as to prevent the summer habitats as destroyer of newborn calves/fawns though Kurt of deer from destruction. In addition, regular (1978) has not seen predation of Hangul fawns by monitoring of all the entry routes should be black bear. There are many missing ecological linkages undertaken to prevent local encroachment. For in the understanding of the Hangul population, which this purpose, the strength of field staff should be need to be addressed. Change in habitat quality, increased. Once encroachment is stopped and predation pressure and anthropogenic pressure is grazing is banned, poaching will automatically affecting the population and distribution range of stop. Unless this is done, Hangul is certain to Hangul. It is important to monitor and evaluate factors become extinct in the wild. responsible for decline in Hangul population. The e) The presence of several government adjoining mountainous areas of Dachigam National departments was recognized as the main and Park are facing heavy biotic pressure due to long outstanding problem which can be solved developmental activities. There is an urgent need to only by their removal. The restriction of access establish captive breeding facility for long-term to lower Dachigam during rutting season should conservation similar to the process done in Kanha for be enforced and fully implemented. the Barasingha (Pawar, 1978). f) The Wildlife Department of Jammu and Kashmir should practice captive breeding of 9. Recommendations rare and endangered Hangul deer. The current trends indicate that Hangul deer g) Awareness programs should be launched to could go extinct if necessary interventions are not made educate the local people about the values and immediately. Due consideration should be given to the importance of wildlife and exchange of following points for the protection and management of information between the public, forest managers wildlife in general and Hangul in particular in and wildlife biologists should be given due Dachigam National Park: emphasis for ensuring long term success of a) There is an urgency to develop a comprehensive wildlife management. management plan for Dachigam National Park. h) There should be annual census of the predators Despite some conservation steps taken in the like black bear and leopard to know their exact past, still the park has been degraded for its status and thorough study of predator-prey

Journal of Wildlife Research | July-September, 2019 | Volume 07 | Issue 03 | Pages 50-58 © 2019 Jakraya 56 Majid et al...Hungul (Cervus Elaphus Hanglu; Red Deer) As Flagship Species of Dachigam National Park: A Brief Review

interactions be undertaken to know the impact heterozygosis and declining trend of the Hangul of predation on critically endangered Hangul population. There is an urgent need for a Hangul deer. recovery plan to be developed that includes field i) Tourism should be controlled and its negative surveys to identify corridors to help dispersion and consequences reduced. A centre should be reintroduction of Hangul to its former distribution established in the National Park to educate range and habitat protection in Upper Dachigam and visitors about environmental protection and other potential Hangul habitats outside Dachigam. A management. captive breeding plan for the Hangul is important to j) Special conservation schemes should be repopulate existing good habitats in the Hangul range, launched by government of Jammu and Kashmir beginning with the Shikargah-Overa ranges in Lidder in collaboration with government of India with Valley (Ahmad et al ., 2009; Qureshi et al ., 2009) is the aim of protecting the critically endangered imperative. Strengthening of intensive population Hangul deer. monitoring programme and reproductive ecology k) A socio-economic survey in the adjoining studies to better understand factors affecting the villages of the park can be undertaken to know population growth and biology and low male/female the dependence of people on park resources and adult sex and fawn/female ratios besides reassessment the development of viable alternatives should be of this subspecies of red deer into appropriate threat given emphasis. Eco-development should be category by the IUCN Red list have been launched as necessary measures for rural recommended to be required for effective management development and long term conservation of Hangul (Ahmad et al ., 2009; Ahmad and Nigam, 2014). The foregoing 10. Conclusion discussions present review information on the The large scale biotic interferences in its endangered red deer of Kashmir commonly known as habitats, in the form of excessive livestock grazing in Hangul ( Cervus elaphus hanglu ). It is quite evident its erstwhile summer habitats, grass cutting, fuel and from the discussion that overall conservation scenario firewood collection, human trampling owing to men continues to be dismal. A lot of management and and vehicles of hundreds of paramilitary (CRPF) forces research input is required to retain the population of camped inside Park and employees of more than seven Hangul deer. Restoration of important conservation Government departments including the Sheep breeding measures is needed which include enforcement of farm spread across 100 hectares of prime Hangul legislation, evaluation of habitat, regular monitoring of habitat in lower Dachigam and poaching have the species status, factors responsible for its contributed largely to the Hangul habitat degradation degradation and use of latest technology like cloning and hence decline of the Hangul during the recent past. using potential surrogates like goat for Hangul. Dr. Fred Kurt, who studied the Hangul in Dachigam Caretakers of Hangul, animal scientists and until 1979, Hangul Population studies indicate a veterinarians can play a significant role in improving decrease in genetic heterozygosity over time and thus its population status in the park. there is a need for urgent measures to arrest the loss in

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