present. Its low numbers and restricted range is of great SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME HANGUL 2009 ecological concern amongst the conservationists throughout The aim of this conference is to bring together experts in International Conference on Management & the Globe. Cervids (with emphasis on the Cervus elaphus ) from all Conservation of Endangered Deer Species & Red Since the existing distribution pattern of Himalayan ungulates over the world to present and discuss their latest research Deer vis-à-vis Hangul Conservation are a function of their phylogeny, adaptation and the available findings on the management and Conservation aspects of habitat and resources, any change in their existing areas due to Cervids in gerneral and Red deer and its subspecies October 09 –13, 2009 habitat fragmentation, degradation, overgrazing, poaching or including Hangul in particular. Number of studies have been [email protected] even disease may further reduce their distribution range. The recently carried out or are in progress on the genetics, recent studies carried out by Khursheed Ahmad et .al. (2001 to ecology and behaviour of the Genus Cervus . Some of these SSrriiinnaaggaarr,,KKaasshhmmiiirr,, IIINNDDIIIAA 2007) and the latest annual Hangul census, suggested that are still unpublished and their results could stimulate there is a drastic decline in the Hangul population in the recent interesting discussions. Furthermore, the effective INTRODUCTION years and the current trends in the Hangul population indicate management for conservation of some Cervus species Deer are important part of woodland ecosystems and their effects are vital to the that the species could go extinct if necessary serious especially threatened subspecies of Cervus elaphus calls for survival of plants and animals that depend on open woodlands. The Deer family interventions are not made immediately. The recent studies sound – possibly novel – information on their breeding Cervidae has five subfamilies comprising of seven genera (Grzimek 1990) with indicate that one of the major issues concerning long term biology and Disease: participants are especially encouraged four species of Mouse deer and 45 species of true deer occurring in the most conservation and survival of Hangul has been shown to be the to present their results on the relationships between parts of the World (Duff and Lawson 2004), except Australia, where some declining population trend and the low sex ratio and fawn to management and biological issues. This will help us in species have recently been introduced. The true deer include four generas female ratio. The studies by Khursheed Ahmad et. al. (2001- discussing and suggesting strategies for a long term namely Axis ( Axis deer), Dama (Fallow deer), Elaphurus (Pere David’s deer) 2007) besides other recommendations, strongly recommends effective management & conservation planning for the and Cervus (Red deer) (Grzimeck 1990; Duff and Lawson 2004). that Hangul Hangul Recovery/ reintroduction Plan programme critically endangered Hangul and its habitat. Studies on The Hangul or Kashmir stag ( Cervus elaphus hanglu ), a critically endangered is required to be carried out urgently, since only large other deer species inhabiting the temperate mountains of the deer, is one of the four easternmost subspecies of Red deer that are found in population of Hangul is present only in Dachigam National world are also welcome. The Congress will include Asia and is endemic to Kashmir mountains in the North –Western Himalayan Park and it is important to expand the range of Hangul by welcome, oral and poster presentations, field trips and field region of India. Some 12 species and over 40 subspecies of deer are indigenous restocking Hangul in some of its past ranges of occurrence for exercises and valedictory. English will be the official to Europe and North Asia – an area loosely described as the Palearctic or which a Conservation breeding plan is important to repopulate language for all oral and poster presentations. northern part of the Old World. Out of these 12 species, 10 species including existing good habitats in Hangul range. Continued The more specific objectives or sessions of the Red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) with 12 subspecies, are indigenous nowhere else in examination of the perceptions and the opinions of the local conference will include the world, except in areas where they were introduced by man and occur people living near Dachigam National Park and adjoining Status, Distribution and Natural History approximately north of Latitude 30 0 N. Hangul’s erstwhile stronghold areas and reserves is necessary Population Ecology & Deer Management The Red deer includes Hangul or Kashmir stag ( Cervus elaphus hanglu ) of for perpetuating an effective long term strategy and a Habitat Ecology and Management North West Himalaya, Shou or Sikim stag ( Cervus elaphus wallichi ) of East conservation and management recovery plan for Hangul and Conservation Genetics, Evolution, and Captive Tibet; Maral ( Cervus elaphus maral ) of Middle East or Asia Minor; Bacterian its Habitats that would include among others an ex-situ Breeding deer ( Cervus elaphus bactrianus ) of North Afganistan, Russia and Turkistan; conservation breeding programme. Deer Behavior and Responses to Global Climate MacNeill’s deer ( C. elaphus macneilli ) from the upper elevations of the canyons PURPOSE OF THIS CONFERENCE Change of the Mekong and Yangtze rivers as well as from western China; and Yarkand To bring deer experts of the world to share their field Deer Diseases and Health Management deer ( Cervus elaphus yarkandensis ) of China and Turkistan. However, unlike experiences and scientific knowledge in the management & Endangered Deer Management & Conservation Red deer, and Waptii ( Cervus canadensis ) which are one of the most conservation of endangered deer species in general and Red Conservation and Future Needs widespread deer of the World originally extending from Western Europe to deer and its subspecies in particular. This would help Community based approach for the Wildlife Central Asia and from Central Asia westwards through North America and enhancing and updating our scientific knowledge on globally conservation in general & Hangul in particular Canada, the Hangul has had a restricted Global distribution and were successful species recovery, conservation programmes and CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS historically distributed widely along the Zanskar mountainous range of Kashmir aspects of deer ecology that are prerequisite for its effective All participants are invited to present their latest scientific in an arc of 40 miles (64 Km) wide, extending from Keran in Kishanganga management and long-term conservation. It will facilitate in results on the Management and conservation studies on Catchments over to Dorus in Lolab valley and Erin catchments in Bandipora to formulation of strategies and mitigating measures for the Genus Cervus especially on the Red deer and its subspecies. Marwah/Wadwan in Kishtwar High Altitude NP. Besides, the Gamgul Siya- declining population, effective relocation and species recovery There will be limited oral presentations in each session; Behi Sanctuary in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh also harbored a small and long- term Conservation plan for the Hangul and its others will have opportunity for poster presentations. Hangul population. However, this pre 1947 wide distributional range of Hangul habitats. Participants are requested to send abstract written in English has declined drastically during the recent past possibly due to hunting, poaching, VENUE AND DATE by August 15, 2009 . The scientific committee will review large-scale habitat fragmentation and degradation due to biotic interference and The International Conference on Hangul conservation will be the submitted abstracts. The decision on acceptance of a at present the genetically viable Hangul population is confined to the 141 Km 2 organized at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention manuscript and the final form of presentation will be Dachigam National Park with a few isolated Hangul herds in its adjoining Complex (SKICC), near Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir, J&K. It communicated by August 30, 2009 . protected areas such as Overa - Aru Wildlife Sanctuary and Shikargah has an immediate access to city services and a range of Abstracts will have to be submitted electronically as an attached document in Word or RFT to the Member Secretary, Scientific Conservation Reserve besides Surfrao/Akhal and Kangan blocks of Sindh Forest comfortable hotels. The Conference will start with a welcome party on Friday, October 09 , and will close on Tuesday, Secretariat at [email protected] and Division in Kashmir valley. The population of Hangul in Kashmir has reduced [email protected] from an estimated 2000 individuals in 1947 to about 170 -200 individuals at October 13, 2009. ORAL PRESENTATIONS certified students and participants. For more information Collaborating Organizations please contact Organizing Secretary of the Conference at Each paper will be allotted 15 minutes for presentation plus 3 minutes for [email protected] questions. PowerPoint, overhead and slide projection facilities will be available. Speakers requiring any additional equipment should inform the The tentative lodging and boarding costs of the hotels booked Congress Secretariat well in advance. for the conference are: Tentative costs: POSTER PRESENTATIONS Hotel Rent/night Posters will be displayed