Skip to main content

Locals, activists want defunct breeding centre for 'vulnerable' Kashmiri stag revived

By Basharat Rashid*
Wildlife authorities in Kashmir have recently announced that a group of hangul were captured by their lens in Shikargah wildlife sanctuary of Tral in Southern part of Kashmir, following which locals were seen very happy as there is apparent dearth of overall hangul population in Kashmir.
Sources said that "acting on the locals reports about the presence of hangul (Kashmiri stag) in Shikargah area, wildlife authorities had installed cameras there, which managed to capture around 10 hanguls."
"Wildlife team had installed two movement sensor based cameras in two locations on the top of Shikargah, which clicked the pictures and showed around ten hanguls there. This is for the first time that hanguls were captured in lens, which literally showed their presence here," they said.
However, the hangul population as per the locals is vulnerable, "which is the matter of grave concern and should be taken into consideration at the earliest."
In 2011-12, a hangul breeding centre was established in Shikargah wildlife sanctuary for the conservation of hangul and a lot of forest land was taken for its construction.
The centre "was constructed with crores of rupees and power fencing was raised all around the centre for the proper protection of deer population (hangul)."
After the completion of work on breeding centre, a deer was placed in it, following which a rush of people was witnessed there, but the said deer became 'prey to leopard' only after few days. Since then, centre continued to remain defunct.
The locals of the area have been witnessing the movement of hangul population in the area but wildlife authorities had no clue until they installed their cameras on the top, which finally confirmed the presence of hangul population in Shikargah.
The locals have however apprehension that they hangul population may be affected as they roam unnecessarily in residential areas and barge into the local orchards where they eat chemical (pesticides/insecticides) sprayed grass and leaves.
Wildlife authorities only made assurances for many years that they will capture the hangul to breed them securely in the centre but they failed
"Our apple orchards and vegetable fields were badly damaged by deer and they eat chemical sprayed leaves and grass there which may be harmful for them," a local Sartaj Ahmad said, adding that breeding centre could save the population.
Another local said that wildlife authorities only made assurances for many years that they will capture the hangul to breed them securely in the centre but they failed to manage it.
The area (health resort) is very beautiful and functioning of centre may boost tourism there and may help the deer population to survive.
Farooq Trali, a social activist, said that Shikargah is a well known place since Mahraja Hari Singh's rule, and non-functioning of hangul breeding centre there for years is unacceptable.
He said that government should enquire the reason behind the non-functioning of this crores worth project and should ensure its functioning again.
Chief Wildlife Warden, Kashmir, SK Gupta, during a recent tour to Shikargah wildlife sanctuary,  said that hangul is a sensitive species and their direct capturing may be intolerable for them.
He further said that they are trying to habituate them naturally and added that they will close the gates once they found hanguls inside the sanctuary.
"We will habituate them naturally without letting them know that they are occupied as breeding to the stressed animals is not possible," he said.
Pertinently, Shikargah has historical background as "many Bollywood celebrities and other dignitaries" had visited there decades back to enjoy its beautification.
The place is still a picnic spot for locals who visit there on daily basis to refresh themselves.
---
*Journalist based in Kashmir

Comments

TRENDING

'Draconian' Kerala health law follows WHO diktat: Govt readies to take harsh measures

By Dr Maya Valecha*  The Governor of Kerala has signed the Kerala Public Health Bill, which essentially reverses the people’s campaign in healthcare services in Kerala for decentralisation. The campaign had led to relinquishing of state powers in 1996, resulting in improvement of health parameters in Kerala. Instead, now, enforcement of law through the exercise of power, fines, etc., and the implementation of protocol during the pandemic, are considered of prime importance.

Reject WHO's 'draconian' amendments on pandemic: Citizens to Union Health Minister

By Our Representative  Several concerned Indian citizens have written to the Union Health Minister to reject amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted during the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA75) in May 2022, apprehending this will make the signatories surrender their autonomy to the “unelected, unaccountable and the whimsical WHO in case of any future ‘pandemics’.”

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah*   The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Bihar rural women entrepreneurs witness 50% surge in awareness about renewal energy

By Mignonne Dsouza*  An endline survey conducted under the Bolega Bihar initiative revealed a significant increase in awareness of renewable energy among women, rising from 25% to 76% in Nalanda and Gaya. Renu Kumari, a 34-year-old entrepreneur from Nalanda, Bihar, operates a village eatery that serves as the primary source of income for her family, including her husband and five children. However, a significant portion of her profits was being directed toward covering monthly electricity expenses that usually reach Rs 2,000. 

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Work with Rajasthan's camel herders: German scientist wins World Cookbook Award 2023

By Rosamma Thomas*  Gourmand World Cookbook Awards are the only awards for international food culture. This year, German scientist  Ilse Kohler Rollefson , founder of Camel Charisma, the first of India’s camel dairies, in Pali district of Rajasthan, won the award for her work with camel herders in Rajasthan, and for preparing for the UN International Year of Camelids, 2024. 

Why is electricity tariff going up in India? Who is the beneficiary? A random reflection

By Thomas Franco*  Union Ministry of Power has used its power under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003 to force States to import coal which has led to an increase in the cost of electricity production and every consumer is paying a higher tariff. In India, almost everybody from farmers to MSMEs are consumers of electricity.

Golwalkar's views on tricolour, martyrs, minorities, caste as per RSS archives

By Shamsul Islam*  First time in the history of independent India, the in-charge minister of the Cultural Ministry in the current Modi government, Prahlad Singh Patel, has glorified MS Golwalkar, second supremo of the RSS and the most prominent ideologue of the RSS till date, on his birth anniversary, February 19. In a tweet he wrote : “Remembering a great thinker, scholar, and remarkable leader #MSGolwalkar on his birth anniversary. His thoughts will remain a source of inspiration & continue to guide generations.”

'Pro-corporate agenda': Odisha crackdown on tribal slum dwellers fighting for land rights

By Our Representative  The civil rights network Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), even as condemning what it calls “brutal repression” on the Adivasi slum dwellers of Salia Sahi in Bhubaneshwar by the Odisha police, has said that the crackdown was against the tribals struggling for land rights in order to “stop the attempts at land-grab by the government.”

Deplorable, influential sections 'still believe' burning coal is essential indefinitely

By Shankar Sharma*  Some of the recent developments in the power sector, as some  recent news items show, should be of massive relevance/ interest to our policy makers in India. Assuming that our authorities are officially mandated/ committed to maintain a holistic approach to the overall welfare of all sections of our society, including the flora, fauna and general environment, these developments/ experiences from different parts of the globe should be clear pointers to the sustainable energy pathways for our people.