The Dachigam National Park, nestled in the Kashmir Valley amid the Zabarwan mountains, faces imminent peril due to escalating urbanization in its vicinity, according to a study published in the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment journal in September 2023. Over the past 55 years, built-up areas surrounding the park expanded by a staggering 325 percent, resulting in habitat degradation and loss. The research, utilizing remote sensing and GIS technology, forecasts a 10 percent increase in future urban development, further threatening forests, shrublands, and pastures. The park, a vital conservation reserve, hosts endangered species like the hangul (Kashmir stag) and supports Dal Lake, a crucial water source for Srinagar city. The study highlights a 7 percent reduction in forest cover within the park and a 39 percent decline in natural habitat, indicating habitat fragmentation. The findings underscore the urgent need for sewage treatment plants and efficient mechanisms to safeguard th
In 2023, Mongabay is officially expanding its coverage of environmental and conservation news in Africa by launching a news bureau dedicated to producing our renowned and award-winning brand of journalism in both French and English. The new bureau, Mongabay Africa, will create original reporting on issues relevant to the conservation of Africa’s wildlife and their […]