Hangul

Why in news?

• Hangul, the unique Kashmir stag and the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir has experienced a slight increase in its population after a period of two years.

More about the News:

• The population has increased to 289 in 2023 from 261 in 2021, a 10% increase.
• The major factors which led to stabilization of the population of the Hangul are:
  • Protection of its habitat in the form of Dachigam
  • Restricting of human movement inside the core area of the park to almost zero.

About Hangul:

• ‘Hangul’ (Kashmiri stag), is the only surviving subspecies of Red deer in India.
• It is the state animal of Jammu Kashmir.

Where is Hangul found?

• It is found in dense riverine forests in the high valleys and mountains of the Kashmir Valley and northern Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh.
• In Kashmir, it is found in the Dachigam National Park.

Conservation issues:

• It is listed as critically endangered in IUCN Red List.
• Threats include habitat destruction, over-grazing by domestic livestock and poaching. Melting of glaciers, depletion of forest covers and water bodies have also made their survival difficult.

Project Hangul:

• It is launched by the state of Jammu & Kashmir, along with the IUCN and the WWF for the protection of Kashmir Stag.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding “Hangul”:

1.It is classified as “vulnerable” by IUCN red list.

2.Dachigam national park is a major habitat of this species.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only

(b)2 only

(c)Both 1 and 2

(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer