Hokersar -The Heaven of Migratory Birds. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur
After Hokersar wetland, the wildlife authorities had a humanitarian show at Dachigam national park, where they made arrangements of food for Hangul, the Kashmir stag. As it snowed heavily this year, the officials witnessed that the deer came down to the park in search of food and they said that its movement increased this year so extra care was taken to ensure that they get enough food. The Hangul is the only surviving Red Deer sub-species in the Indian subcontinent. The magnificent mammal has been declared as a ‘critically endangered species’ by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Known for its giant antlers bearing 11 to 16 points, the Hangul has been hunted for centuries which lead to its population plunging to 150 (as of 2017). Once found in high altitude regions of Northern India, the Kashmir Stag is now confined to only Dachigam National Park in Kashmir and its population has remained endangered for last six decades now.