SRINAGAR, MAY 8:A census carried out by the J-K Government and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) shows that the population of the only surviving species of Asian Red Deer — hangul — continues to show a declining trend.

The population of hangul has come down from 228 to 160 in the past four years.

“The census shows that there is a marginal decline in the number of hangul from previous years,” Chief Wildlife Warden A K Srivastava told The Indian Express. “But the decline is steady. We are conscious of the decrease in hangul number and have already initiated various long-time programmes to preserve the endangered species.”

The latest census was carried out in Dachigam National Park and adjoining areas during the first week of March by a three-member team from WII, officials of the J-K Wildlife Department, volunteers from the University of Kashmir, Sher-i-Kashmir University Agriculture Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) and NGOs.

According to the census report that was received by the J-K Wildlife department on Thursday the population of hangul in the Dachigam National Park has declined from about 228 in 2004 to about 160 in 2008.

Two years back the population was about 208 which show a drastic decline of about 40 hangul’s in the study areas of the Park.

Central Wildlife Warden Rashid Naqash said the counts this year were carried out more scientifically and the teams were briefed about the methodology and collection of data.

The survey of 2008 was not carried out in the same areas as in the previous census.

Concerned over the decline in hangul population, the WII has also suggested a plan of action for hangul monitoring in Dachigam National Park.

“They have proposed marking and maintenance of study sites in each block of the Park,” Naqash said.

The WII has also proposed recording of hangul group sizes, age and sex composition at least once in a every season and repeat this count every month during the fawning period.

It has also asked for a detailed study of predation of Hangul by natural and feral predators immediately.

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