Srinagar Sept 10: The 2nd International Conference on Hangul and Other Threatened Ungulates (2IHUC-25)” began at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar campus on Wednesday to address the conservation needs of the Critically Endangered Kashmir red deer or Hangul, its close relatives, such as Red deer, the Bukhara/Bactrian deer and the Yarkand/Tarim deer, besides other threatened ungulates worldwide.
According to a statement issued here, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-K Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who was the chief guest at the occasion, said science, policy and community engagement is the key to conservation of Hangul, which occupies a place of pride in J&K Wildlife heritage. He urged new generation of students and biologists to use this platform for building networks and develop actionable roadmap for conversation of Wildlife and the ecosystem.
Prof Ganai thanked Wildlife Association & IUCN for choosing SKUAST-K as the venue for this three-day conference. Besides, Prof Ganai apprised the delegates about SKUAST-K achievements especially the recently released NIRF ranking by the Ministry of Education GoI in which SKUAST-K was ranked the 3rd best SAU in the country, depicting the enabling research and education ecosystem of the varsity. He also talked about the transformation in Agriculture through Holistic Agriculture Development Program that was conceived and scripted at SKUAST-K.
Dr Sheetal Nanda, Dr Gonzalez and many other dignitaries spoke on the occasion and voiced for coordinated efforts in conservation of Hangul and other threatened Ungulates especially in view of fast paced urbanization, climate change and other health threats.
More than 200 delegates from across the country and abroad are participating in the Conference, envisaged to be the milestone of global conservation relevance. Wildlife experts and biologists from US, UK, Canada, Middle East, Central and South Asia are sharing their research and expertise. The International/eminent speakers include Dr Susana Gonzalez, Dr Stefano Focardi, Dr David Garlinda, Ms Razan Al Mubarki, Dr Claude Fisher, Dr Ranjitsinh, Dr Yashveer, Dr Bivash, Dr Parag and more.
