Historical range and present status of hangul deer CERVUS ELAPHUS HANGLU in Kashmir, India

Bilal A. Bhat; Mustahson F. Fazili

Volume : IV, Issue : XI, November - 2015

Historical range and present status of hangul deer CERVUS ELAPHUS HANGLU in Kashmir, India

Bilal A. Bhat, Mustahson F. Fazili

Abstract :

Hangul deer Cervus elaphus hanglu is the only survivor of red deer group in Indian subcontinent. Prior to 1950, the deer was quite abundant and distributed widely in mountains of Kashmir. Historically its range was spread to an arc of 65Km in width, north and east of Jhelum and lower Chenab river from Shalurah in the north to Ramnagar in the south. However, due to deterioration of its habitat and anthropogenic pressure, it is now battling for survival within 141 sq km of Dachigam National Park in Jammu & Kashmir state of India, where last viable population is known to occur. The Park which had about 2000 hangul in 1947, currently has only around 200. Grazing by domestic livestock in upper altitudes of park, natural resource extraction by locals, poaching, predation and loss of habitat have all been considered as possible causes of decline. The current trends even indicate imbalance of sex and fawn-female ratios which is alarming. The timely management interventions are needed to save relict population of deer from danger of extinction.