Project Hangul is a conservation and protection project for the critically endangered Kashmir Stag or Hangul. In the 1970s, the Jammu and Kashmir government prepared a project to protect the Hangul and its habitat with the help of the IUCN and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Hangul is commonly referred to as Kashmir Stag. Project Hangul was the name given to this ambitious project for the conservation and protection of Kashmir stags. As a result, by 1980, the population of this species had increased to 340. According to the IUCN Red List, Hangul is a Critically Endangered species. In this article, we will discuss Project Hangul which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Hangu or Kashmir Stagl

What is Project Hangul?

• The Kashmir stag also called hangul is a subspecies of Central Asian Red Deer native to northern India. It is the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir.
• In Kashmir, it’s found in Dachigam National Park at elevations of 3,035 meters. These deer once numbered about 5000 animals in the beginning of the 20th century.
• Unfortunately, they were threatened, due to habitat destruction, overgrazing by domestic livestock and poaching. As a result, their numbers dwindled to as low as 150 by 1970.
• However, the state of Jammu Kashmir, along with the IUCN and the WWF prepared a project for the protection of these animals. It became to be known as Project Hangul.
• This brought great results and the population increased to over 340 by 1980.

Population of Hangul

• The Hangul population has steadily declined over the decades, from a peak of 5,000 in the early 1900s.
• The Hangul is as important to the state of Jammu and Kashmir as the tiger is to the entire country of India.
• It is the only Asiatic subspecies or survival of the European red deer. However, the declining population of the state animal is a major concern.
• In 2007, the population of Kashmir red stags was estimated to be 197. In 2009, it reached 234. However, its population began to decline in 2009, and by 2011, it had fallen to 218, then to 186 in 2015. According to the most recent census in 2017, its population has shrunk to 182.
• In 2013, the Kashmir state wildlife department established a captive breeding centre in Shikargarh, on the Srinagar-Anantnag route. However, a leopard preyed on a fawn just days after it was relocated as part of the breeding programme. Since then, the breeding centre has been inoperable.
• Another source of concern is the declining sex ratio. Prior to the 1990s, the male-to-female ratio ranged from 21 to 51 males per 100 females. However, the male-to-female ratio has fallen to about 12 males for every 100 females.
• This disparity has resulted in a drop in the birth rate, which is cause for concern. If the population of Kashmiri red stags is to grow, the sex ratio must be restored to normal within a certain time frame.
• According to the IUCN Red Data Book, which lists species at risk of extinction, the Hangul is one of three severely endangered species in J&K.
• The Markhor, the world's largest species of wild goat found in Kashmir and parts of Central Asia, and the Tibetan antelope, or 'Chiru,' are the other two.

Habitat of the Hangul

• Hangul lives in deciduous woodland, upland moors, open mountainous areas (sometimes above tree line), natural grasslands, pastures, and meadows.
• It prefers mixed oak forests in the winter, followed by mulberry Morus and riverine habitats in the summer, when food is plentiful.
• Its diet in woodland consists primarily of shrub and tree shoots, but it also consumes grasses and shrubs in other habitats.
• It is mostly found in mountainous areas, where it spends the summers in alpine meadows and the winters in valleys.
• It prefers wooded hillsides in the summer and open grasslands in the winter on level terrain.
• According to surveys, the Sindh Forest Division's Akhal and Kangan blocks are especially important for Hangul during the summer, when the upper subalpine reaches of Dachigam National Park are under intense pressure from local people and livestock.

Threats to Hangul

• The most significant obstacles to Hangul conservation and population expansion, according to experts, are habitat fragmentation, predation, and a relatively low male-to-female ratio.
• A lack of desirable breeding and fawn survival is threatening the population's growth.
• Another difficulty is the male-female and fawn-adult disparities in the Hangul population.
• The influx of animal herds from nomadic settlements into Dachigam National Park has been a problem for many years.
• Inadequate patrolling to prevent wildlife crimes
• Difficulty in adequately implementing protection activities due to security concerns in parts of the Dachigam National Park.
• Since the army closed off their traditional paths leading to over a dozen mountain meadows (in Gurez) during the beginning of the armed conflict in Kashmir, nomads have been unable to graze their herds in such pastures.
• During the summer, they bring their massive herds of animals to the higher reaches of Dachigam.
• Other threats to the Hangul population include the Common Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, and nomads' dogs preying on fawns.
• In comparison to other species, the Hangul population in the Dachigam landscape appears to have low genetic variation, making it vulnerable to the effects of inbreeding.

Hangul Conservation Project

• The Wildlife Conservation Fund was established in 2010 with the goal of protecting wildlife and wilderness in Jammu and Kashmir's UT, with Hangul conservation as its first priority.
• It was to be accomplished through community involvement, wildlife education, and management.
• It also aimed to change people's attitudes toward nature and promote human-animal harmony.
• The Hangul Conservation Project was created by the Wildlife Conservation Fund. WCF plans to address issues concerning several Hangul species in Kashmir, specifically in the Dachigam National Park.
• It should be emphasised that the project did not achieve its goals because locals did not participate in it. Furthermore, the project was restricted to a 10-kilometer radius around Dagwan.
• Furthermore, government offices approved the construction of cement factories near the Dachigam National Park, disrupting wildlife.

Other Conservation Efforts for Hangul

• Poaching is the most serious threat to Hangul, despite some conservation efforts. The highest priority conservation intervention is to ensure that poaching is no longer a threat to the Hangul.
• Preventing the incursion of nomadic livestock herders will reduce competition for grazing grounds with livestock, as well as the potential for disease transmission.
• By reducing depredation by herding dogs, such measures are expected to increase fawn survival rates.
• Reducing the number of problem Leopards and Asiatic Black Bears released in the area may also help reduce predation on Hangul fawns and increase survival.
• Reintroducing the Hangiul to its original local habitats and putting in place appropriate conservation mechanisms.
• The Hangul's range needs to be expanded by keeping the upper Dachigam subalpine and alpine meadows and other previously occupied areas free of livestock and other anthropogenic pressures such as poaching.
• Based on extensive scientific research, mapping, protecting, and enriching forest patches where Hangul habitat remains should be undertaken.
• A comprehensive management plan would aid in determining priority conservation and research activities to ensure Hangul and its habitat are effectively conserved.
• A Greater Dachigam'mega preserve' has been proposed to strengthen protection in the Buffer Zone by upgrading conservation reserves.
• Creating an Eco-sensitive Zone by protecting the last Shikargah sub-populations in the Tral and Sindh areas.
• To protect the Hangul, conservation breeding must be prioritised.
• Earlier habitats, such as Overa Wildlife Sanctuary and Shikargah Conservation Reserve, which once housed a large number of Hangul, are almost human-free and vital for this purpose.

Conclusion

The Hangul (or Kashmiri Stag) population monitoring project has revealed an alarming decline in the fawn-hind and stag-hind ratios of the hangul population in Kashmir. Hangul is one of the few remaining endangered species in the Himalayan landscape. The conservation and stabilisation of the Hangul population must be prioritised. Furthermore, reintroduction of their population to new habitats, minimising the effect of conflict on their population, strong protection measures, and vigilance against poaching are required.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of Project Hangul in the context of wildlife conservation in India.

Answer: Project Hangul is a critical initiative for wildlife conservation in India, specifically targeting the Hangul deer, which is endangered and native to the Kashmir Valley. The significance of this project lies in its holistic approach to conservation, which encompasses habitat restoration, population monitoring, and community engagement. The Hangul deer serves as an ecological indicator of the health of its habitat, and its conservation is vital for maintaining biodiversity in the region.
Moreover, Project Hangul addresses the pressing threats faced by the species, including habitat loss due to deforestation and human activities. By promoting awareness and involving local communities, the project fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility towards wildlife conservation. It highlights the importance of sustainable practices that benefit both the ecosystem and the livelihoods of local populations. In this way, Project Hangul not only contributes to the preservation of a unique species but also aligns with broader environmental goals in India.

Q2: Analyze the role of local communities in the success of conservation projects like Project Hangul.

Answer: Local communities play a pivotal role in the success of conservation projects such as Project Hangul. Their involvement is crucial for several reasons. First, local communities possess invaluable traditional knowledge about the ecosystem, which can inform conservation strategies and enhance the effectiveness of implementation efforts. By integrating local perspectives, projects can be tailored to address the unique challenges and needs of the area. Secondly, community engagement fosters a sense of stewardship and responsibility towards wildlife conservation. When communities understand the value of biodiversity and the ecological significance of species like the Hangul deer, they are more likely to participate actively in conservation efforts. Providing alternative livelihoods and incentives for conservation can also mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, which are common in regions where wildlife habitats overlap with human settlements.
Lastly, involving local communities can lead to sustainable practices that benefit both wildlife and human populations. By creating a collaborative environment, conservation projects can achieve long-term success, ensuring that initiatives like Project Hangul are effective in preserving not only the Hangul deer but also the overall ecological balance in the Kashmir Valley.

Q3: Evaluate the challenges faced by conservation initiatives like Project Hangul in the context of climate change.

Answer: Conservation initiatives such as Project Hangul face numerous challenges in the context of climate change. One of the primary challenges is habitat alteration due to changing climatic conditions, which can affect the availability of food and suitable living conditions for the Hangul deer. Climate change can lead to shifts in vegetation patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events, further threatening the already vulnerable habitats.
Additionally, as temperatures rise and precipitation patterns become unpredictable, the competition for resources between wildlife and livestock may intensify, exacerbating human-wildlife conflicts. This can complicate conservation efforts as local communities may perceive wildlife as a threat to their livelihoods. Furthermore, funding and resource allocation for conservation initiatives can become strained in the face of climate-related disasters, such as floods or droughts. Such events divert attention and resources away from long-term conservation goals.
To effectively address these challenges, conservation initiatives like Project Hangul must incorporate adaptive management strategies that consider climate projections and the resilience of ecosystems. Collaboration with climate scientists and integration of local knowledge can enhance the adaptive capacity of conservation projects, ensuring their sustainability in the face of climate change.

Previous Year Questions on  Project Hangul

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021

Question: What is the main focus of Project Hangul?

a) Reforestation

b) Hangul deer conservation

c) Urban development

d) Wildlife tourism

Answer: b) Hangul deer conservation

Explanation: The main focus of Project Hangul is the conservation of the Hangul deer, which is essential for maintaining biodiversity in the Kashmir Valley.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020

Question: Discuss the impact of climate change on wildlife conservation efforts in India, using Project Hangul as a case study. (200 words)

Answer: Climate change poses significant challenges to wildlife conservation efforts in India, exemplified by Project Hangul. As global temperatures rise, the ecological balance in the Kashmir Valley is threatened, impacting the habitat and food availability for the Hangul deer. Altered rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures can lead to habitat degradation, making it difficult for the Hangul to thrive. The changing climate exacerbates human-wildlife conflict as local communities rely on the same natural resources, leading to competition for water and food. This can discourage community support for conservation efforts, which are vital for the success of projects like Hangul.
Furthermore, climate change impacts may strain the financial resources allocated for conservation, as funds are often redirected to address immediate climate-related crises. To counter these effects, conservation initiatives must incorporate adaptive strategies that consider the potential impacts of climate change, ensuring that efforts to protect the Hangul deer and its habitat are resilient and effective. Engaging local communities in these adaptive strategies is crucial for fostering a collaborative approach to wildlife conservation in the face of changing environmental conditions.