What is the State Animal of Jammu and Kashmir? Know the Name

Why is Jammu and Kashmir in News?

Jammu and Kashmir is in the news due to recent tensions with Pakistan following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists. This led to cross-border clashes, civilian casualties and a fragile ceasefire.

Introduction

Every state and union territory in India has a unique animal that represents its natural beauty and wildlife. These animals are chosen because they are special, rare or have a deep connection with the region. They remind us of the importance of nature and the need to protect it. In this article, we will learn about the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir.

State Animal of Jammu and Kashmir

The state animal of Jammu and Kashmir is the Kashmir stag, also called Hangul. This rare and beautiful dear is found in the forests and mountains of Kashmir and parts of Himachal Pradesh. It is very special because it is found only in this region. Its numbers have decreased over the years, but efforts are being made to protect it.

What is the Hangul?

The Hangul is a type of deer that belongs to the red deer family. It is the only surviving Asiatic sub-species of red deer. Earlier, scientists though it was related to the red deer of Europe. But new studies show that it is part of the Central Asian red deer group, known as Cervus hanglu hanglu.

Where is it Found?

Hangul lives in the valleys and mountains of Jammu and Kashmir and northern Himachal Pradesh. It is mostly found in:

• Dachigam National Park near Srinagar
• Tral Wildlife Sanctuary
• Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary
• Sind Valley, Overa Aru, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah

What Does it Look Like?

The Kashmir stag has a brown coat with speckled hair. Its backside is greyish  white, and the tail is black on top. It has antlers with 5 tines, and the antlers are curved inward. Male Hanguls are known for their big and beautiful antlers with 11 to 16 points.

Life and Habitat of Kashmir Stag

Hanguls live in small groups of 2 to 18 deer. They like dense forests near rivers, high valleys and mountains. In summer, they usually move to upper Dachigam areas, but now that area is used by Gujar shepherds, which causes trouble for the deer.

Threats to the Hangul

In the 1940s, there were around 3,000 to 5,000 Hanguls. But their number fell due to:

• Habitat destruction
• Overgrazing by livestock
• Poaching (illegal hunting)

By 1970, their number dropped to just 150.

Conservation Efforts

To save the Hangul, a special project was started called Project Hangul. It was supported by:

• Jammu and Kashmir Government
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
• WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)