Saving Kashmir's Iconic Hangul Deer: Govt Notifies Eco-Sensitive Zone Around Tral Wildlife Sanctuary
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Once widely distributed across Kashmir and parts of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, the Kashmir Stag (Hangul) is now confined to just 150-200 individuals—with 110-130 in Dachigam alone
In a significant effort to protect Jammu and Kashmir's iconic and critically endangered Hangul deer, the Centre has officially designated an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Tral Wildlife Sanctuary, a critical biodiversity hotspot. The ministry of environment, forests, and climate change finalised this decision on Tuesday after receiving no objections during the 60-day public consultation period. The initial draft was published on October 3 the previous year.
The notification designates nearly 127.1 sq km as an Eco-Sensitive Zone, extending up to 3.36 km from the sanctuary's boundaries and encompassing 26 villages. The Tral Wildlife Sanctuary serves as a vital corridor for the remaining population of Hangul in the country. Following the notification, the government can now regulate activities in the area to create a buffer zone, aiding the survival of this vulnerable species.
Once widely distributed across Kashmir and parts of Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district, the Kashmir Red Deer (Hangul)—commonly known as the Kashmir Stag—now has an estimated population of just 150-200 individuals, based on a 2015 estimate. The last remaining population is primarily confined to Dachigam National Park and its immediate surroundings, highlighting the species' critical status.
Located about 45 km southeast of Srinagar, the Tral Wildlife Sanctuary in Pulwama district is one of the few areas outside the national park where a small population of Hangul still exists. The Kashmir Red Deer (Hangul) is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and is classified as 'critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Due to rising poaching and habitat threats, its population has drastically declined over the years.
The sanctuary is also connected to other important wildlife areas, such as Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary and Khrew Conservation Reserve, which together support various important and endemic species of animals and birds. In addition to the Kashmir Red Deer, the Tral Wildlife Sanctuary is home to endemic species like the Kashmir Musk Deer and Kashmir Gray Langur, as well as threatened species like the Common Leopard, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Bearded Vulture, and Kashmir Flycatcher. It also harbours numerous plant species with significant medicinal value.
Historically, parts of the protected area, namely Shikargah and Khangund, were once designated as conservation reserves, some of the oldest notified protected areas in India, dating back to 1945. In 2019, these reserves, along with adjoining forest areas, were upgraded to a wildlife sanctuary, now covering about 155 sq km of the rugged and undulating terrain of the Greater Himalayan Mountains.
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