Hangul census to start from Mar 15 Dachigam National Park to remain shut till Mar 20

Ganderbal, Mar 12: The Hangul Population Estimate (Hangul Census) 2023 will be conducted by the Department of Wildlife Protection in and around Dachigam National Park from March 15 to March 20, 2023.The Dachigam National Park will be closed to all tourists from March 15 through March 20 in 2023 in order to facilitate the smooth conduct of the Hangul Population Estimate (Hangul Census) 2023 without any disruptions, according to authorities at the Wildlife Division Centre in Srinagar.Altaf Ahmad DFO wildlife warden central Srinagar said Hangul population estimation is conducted after every two years by adopting specific methodology to ascertain growth or drop of the Hangul (Kashmiri stag).”We are hopeful that a healthy ratio of male, female, fawn would eventually result in an increased population of Hangul in the future,” Altaf Ahmad said.The Kashmir stag, also known as the hangul, inhabits the Kashmir valley’s riverine forests, dense valleys, and mountains in groups of two to 18 animals. It may be found in the forests of Kishtwar and Bhaderwah as well as the Dachigam National Park in Kashmir (at an elevation of 3,035 metres).To guarantee the successful completion of the census operation, Dachigam National Park would be closed from March 15 to 20 according to a Wildlife department officer who spoke to Rising Kashmir.The Kashmiri Hangul is an extremely endangered species. The Wildlife Department’s 2021 census of Dachigam National Park found that the population of Hangul had increased significantly.Pertinent to mention here that in 2020 Hangul or the ‘Kashmir Stag’ had been sighted in Naranag forest area of Wangath in Kangan in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district”One should be lucky enough to spot a Hangul during a Dachigam visit,” an official said.An official from the Wildlife department told Rising Kashmir that they have decided to shut Dachigam National Park from March 15 to 20 to ensure smooth conduct of the census operation.Kashmiri Hangul is a critically endangered species. The census carried out in the Dachigam National Park in 2021 by the Wildlife department revealed that the population of Hangul showed a significant rise.Presently the Hangul population is 263 as per the 2021 census,” officials said.