J&K Window
Initiatives to protect Endangered Species
A
ccording to survey conducted by wildlife department in Dachigam
National Park to find out the total number of wild animals and the
population of Hangul was registered 218, compared to 175 in previous
survey of 2009.
The population of Hangul in Jammu and Kashmir has increased to 218.
The Hangul or the Kashmir stag are a critically endangered species. The latest
census carried out in the Dachigam National Park, have shown an encouraging
trend in Hangul population.
Range Officer, Dachigam National park said that increase in the population
of Hangul is encouraging for his department. “We have a total of 218 Hangul species in the park. The number
has increased this time compared to our earlier surveys. In 2009, the Hangul species were restricted to 175
only.
But the number has increased due to various measures taken by the department to protect the animal.
Fortunately, the Hangul has been managing to survive in this critically endangered state for more than five
decades. But, it is high time to save the species with some strict measurement.
The range officer admitted that the population of Hangul was significantly declining till couple of years
ago. Till 2004, the population of Hangul was declining due to a number of reasons.
Their number was restricted to 145 only. But the department took a number of initiatives to increase the
population of Hangul and save the precious species from human interference and also from wild animals,
which helped the department to increase the number of Hangul in the national park.
Dachigam is the home of 20 mammal species including the Kashmir Hangul, snow leopared, and
black bear and over 15 other species. the park coves an area of around 141 square kilometers and it ranges
from south Kashmir Tral area to Dachigam in Srinagar. It is spread over Braine, Khanmoh, Chesmashahi,
Wangath, Khrew, Dare Conservation Reserves. Surfrao, Akhal, Mammar, and Najwan which are adjoining
the forest areas.
q
rail Link in Jammu and Kashmir
T
he Jammu and Kashmir government has said that Qazigund-Banihal
and Udhampur-Katra railway tracks, connecting Kashmir with rest of
the country through rail-line are likely to be completed by December.
The Qazigund-Banihal and Udhampur-Katra railway tracks, being laid at an
estimated cost of Rs 1,722 crore and Rs 928 crore respectively, are likely
to be completed by December 2012.
About Rs 1.26 crore have been distributed among the affected people
as compensation for land acquired while a compensation of Rs 42.24 crore has been distributed for land
acquired under Udhampur-Katra railway track and Rs 10.7 crore distributed for land acquired under JammuUdhampur railway track. In Jammu district, a compensation of Rs 12 crore has been disbursed among the
affected 9 villages under NHAI road projects while remaining 3 villages would be given the compensation
q
soon.
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YOJANA March 2012