Jammu: The population of the endangered Kashmiri stag Hangul has shown a steady and encouraging rise over the past decade, increasing from 183 in 2015 to 323 in 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir government said on Saturday.
Replying to a Calling Attention Motion moved by National Conference legislator Salman Ali Sagar on behalf of Ali Mohammad Sagar in the Legislative Assembly here, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Javed Ahmad Rana said Hangul population estimation is carried out by the Department every two years.
“As per the data, the estimated Hangul population has shown a steady increase over the past decade-from 183 in 2015 to 214 in 2017, 237 in 2019, 261 in 2021, 289 in 2023 and 323 in 2025,” the minister said.
Known for its magnificent antlers, which can have 11 to 16 points, Hangul is the only surviving Asiatic sub-species of the European red deer family, found in Kashmir.
In the beginning of 1900s, their number was believed to be about 3,000-5,000 which had shrunk to about 1,000-2,000 in 1947 and subsequently as low as 180-250 in 1965.
Hangul is placed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and the J&K Wildlife Protection Act, 1978.
The minister said the Department of Wildlife Protection has taken several measures to effectively and promptly mitigate human–wild boar conflict in and around Dachigam National Park, including New Theed village in the outskirts of Srinagar.
“As part of mitigation efforts, a cement concrete toe wall has been constructed along the existing chain-link fencing over an approximate length of three kilometre to prevent wild boars from burrowing beneath the fence,” he said.
He said regular anti-plastic and sanitation drives are being conducted within and around Dachigam National Park to remove waste that may attract wild boars.
He said the Dachigam Control Room is functioning round the clock to respond to incidents of wild boar sightings outside the park.
Rana said due to effective management of the human–wild boar conflict, no human injuries have been reported so far in and around Dachigam National Park, including New Theed village.
He said regular advisories and awareness programmes are being conducted in fringe villages, particularly for the farming communities.
In addition, regular patrolling is being carried out and equipment such as noise guns and firecrackers are used, whenever required, to deter wild boars from entering affected villages, the minister said.
