World famous Hangul deer, the State animal of Jammu and Kashmir, is fighting a lonely battle in its natural habitat-Dachigam National Park. At the last count the Hangul population was estimated to be 186 in year 2015 and declining constantly. As per census of 2009 it was 234 and in 2011 the estimated population was 218.
Instead of focusing on implementation of its conservation plan, the on going tussle between the State Sheep husbandry and Forest Department at Dachigam is further complicating the matters.
More than 12 years ago the State Cabinet headed by Mufti Mohd Sayeed had approved shifting of the Sheep Breeding farm from Dachigam National Park to outside area.
But despite serving them numerous reminders and even eviction notices the Sheep Husbandry department is yet to relocate the farm.
According to State Forest Minister lal Singh, “Hangul is highly endemic and under tremendous threat due to various human induced factor and among one is the presence of Sheep Breeding Farm in its prime natural habitat of Dachigam National Park"”.
He said since Dachigam is holding the only natural population of Hangul, any transfer of disease from the sheep would wipe out the complete population of Hangul.
He said, “Sheep is imposing a huge challenge and competition for grazing grounds and as such a threat to the animal. There is lot of disturbance to the Hangul during rutting period in OAK patch that is largely occupied by Sheep Breeding Farm.”
“Dogs in the farm also pose a great threat to the newly born hangul fawns in the area. As a result the Fawn female ratio and the female male ratio have also gone down according to one study".
In a recent meeting of the State Board for Wildlife held on 22/11/16 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister it was decided that the Sheep Breeding Farm be shifted from the Dachigam National Park.
On ground zero the officials of the state wildlife Department told The Pioneer, “despite restricting free movement of vehicles of Sheep Husbandry department and plugging vulnerable patches to restrict movement of local villagers in the upper reaches the shifting of Sheep farm is taking time.”
According to them the Sheep farm officials are awaiting administrative order from their own bosses to relocate as they have not been provided with any alternate location.
Forest Minister Friday informed the state assembly,“Demarcation of boundaries of Dachigam National Park and adjacent conservation reserves has been initiated which will strengthen enforcement and protection."
According to him a conservation breeding centre to breed Hangul in captivity and then replenish its wild populations has been established at Shikargah Tral and the efforts to provide the minimum parent stock to initiate the breeding are underway.
“For this, the process of habituation and luring has been initiated at Shikargah,” he said.
The minister also said efforts to control and restrict grazing in the upper Dachigam areas in summer season are being made so that the summer grounds of Hangul are made free from anthropogenic pressures.
Efforts to relocate the sheep Breeding Farm from Dachigam as per the standing cabinet decision are also underway which will help protect Hangul from any pathogenic eventuality.
Also, strict regulation of tourist flow into the National Park and total ban on unnecessary and avoidable vehicular movement inside the park is being implemented.