Srinagar, Mar 27: Experts on Saturday said that increased human interference, including grazing and mushrooming of cement factories, around the Dachigam National Park was affecting the habitat of the critically endangered Hangul or Kashmir stag.
Speaking at Consultative Stakeholders Workshop on Recovery of Hangul at Dachigam National Park here, the experts said, “If immediate steps are not taken Hangul will become a history.”
During the workshop, organized by the Wildlife Department in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the experts involved the stakeholders of Hangul and drafted strategies to save it from extinction.
Pertinently, the Hangul was known for its magnificent antlers with 11 to 16 points and was once distributed widely in the mountains of Kashmir.
The Hangul is the only surviving race of the Red Deer family of Europe in the sub-continent. However, due to deterioration of its habitat, its population has declined from about 1,000-2,000 in 1947 to 175-220. It is now battling for survival within 141 sq km of the Dachigam National Park.
The Director of WTI, Dr Rahul Kaul while enumerating the issue list for stakeholders said the cement factories had mushroomed around the south-eastern boundary of Dachigam National Park, the last abode of Hangul, creating pressures on it.
He said that the suspended particulate matter around the factories was causing respiratory problems in addition to reducing the quality and quantity of browse for species by deposition of cement dust on the foliage. He said quarrying of the limestone around the Dachigam had the potential of causing grave environmental damage.
The Joint Director Tourism, Muhammad Saleem, recommended that the cement factories should be put in the negative list of Industries. “I wonder when spices have been put in negative list why have the cement factories, which contribute to environmental pollution and affect Hangul, have been spared,” he said.
Nadeem Qadri, a social and environmentalist activist said time was ripe for the cement plant owners, to join hands with experts to save Hangul. “Undoubtedly the cement factories have wrecked havoc on the saffron fields and health of the local inhabitants. But we should not indulge in blame game. We are not asking the cement plant owners to close their units, but we urge them to use eco-friendly technology and demarcate green belts to control pollution,” he said.
The representative of cement plant owners, Omar Tramboo, said, “We feel socially responsible for contributing our bit to save the Hangul. We have installed imported and latest machinery to control pollution. We have got environment clearance from the Government. But we are open to suggestions for the larger cause of Hangul preservation,” he said.
The experts blamed the increased grazing in upper reaches of Dachigam and presence of sheep Breeding Farm as a threat to Hangul. “Hangul’s habitat has been extensively damaged due to increased human interference and grazing in Dachigam. The grazing by sheep increases the probability of transmission of diseases. There is also decrease in fawn-female ration. Under the comprehensive action plan for Hangul recovery, the grazing and other problems will be addressed,” said Dr Satyakumar, a scientist of WII Dehradum.
However, the representative of Bakerwals in Dachigam, blamed the nomads from Gurez using the Hangul habitat for grazing. “We have been protecting this park and its habitat from decades. The park has been turned into garrison by troops. Besides due to ban of hunting, there has been massive increase in population of leopards who predate on Hangul. We are being unnecessarily blamed,” they said.
The former principal conservator of forest, Abdul Rashid Wani minced no words to blame the ongoing political conflict for deterioration of wildlife. “The preservation of eco-system including wildlife of Kashmir is important not only for India and Pakistan but whole south Asia. The Line of Control has divided the wildlife also. Both the countries should adopt an eco-friendly approach and work for preservation of environment,” he said.
He said the 250 nature interpretation centres launched by him were defunct. “They have to be revived for inculcating awareness among the students about the need to preserve wildlife,” he said.
The wildlife warden Central, Rashid Naquash said the workshop’s aim was to seek support and involve the stakeholders for preservation of Hangul. “We will be formulating a strategy from the suggestions received from them. It will help us in the long-term recovery of the Hangul,” he said.
The Wildlife Warden, Sohail Intisar said, “Despite limited resources and manpower, the wildlife managers have been performing their duties professionally. One of the serious problems with Dachigam is that it is not demarcated. The increased VIP movement into the park also disturbs the wild animals. Despite a cabinet decision, the sheep breeding farm there is also posing a challenge for Hangul recovery,” he said.
The Principal Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Irshad Ahmad Khan, who was the chief guest, said government was committed to the save the Hangul. “Government has approved the it’s conservation plan and we will be involving all the stakeholders to implement it,” he said.
On the occasion, the experts said media has to play an important role to spread awareness about protecting wild animals. The journalists recommended that they should be given access to information and opportunity to undertake wildlife sensitization workshops.
Among others who spoke in the function included the Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Nasir Ahmad Kitchloo and Shabir Ahmad scientist of the Wildlife department.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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