The magnificent Kashmiri Red Stag or Hangul could finally get some protection with the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) all set to declare it a ‘critically endangered’ species. Known for its giant antlers bearing 11 to 16 points, Hangul has been hunted over centuries and its habitat destroyed, leading to its population in the wild plunging to a mere 150. Even then, IUCN – the biggest international body assessing threat levels to flora and fauna – categorised it as that of ‘Least Concern’ by clubbing with European and other ‘red deer’ species of the world.

A scientific journal brought by the IUCN, ‘DSG (Deer Specialist Group) Newsletter,’ has recently emphasised on the essentiality of doing this. Its May 2016 edition quotes Sarah Brook, IUCN Deer Red List Authority, as saying, “The subspecies assessment of red deer, which has however not been performed up to now, would surely promote Hangul conservation in India.”`

Some species such as in North America are so abundant that they are hunted down under licence. Clubbing Kashmir’s Hangul with them was doing it great harm. There are just about 150 Hanguls left. Therefore, we suggested elevating it to a species level, probably by merging with two other subspecies, bactrianus and yarkandensis red deers, from China’s Tarim Mountains.”

DO YOU KNOW?

• Critically endangered’ status to the Hangul will most likely be completed by December 2016.It is listed under Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and J&K Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978 and has also been listed among the top 15 species of high conservation priority by the Government of India.
• As per the Bombay Natural History Society, Kashmir’s Hangul population numbered 3,000 to 5,000 around the year 1900. However, 2015 census carried out by Kashmir’s forest department estimated it could be at its lowest ever, 110-130, in Dachigam