The Hangul deer or the Kashmiri stag is a species of red deer. The Hangul is one of the most famous animals of Jammu and Kashmir. It inhabits the dense forests of the state. Striking in appearance, the Hangul derives its name from ‘han’ which is the local name for the horse chestnut tree, the fruit of which the deer feed on. 2. Scientifically known as Cervuselaphus hanglu, Hangul is the only surviving race of the red deer family of Europe in the sub – continent. The Hangul deer’s coat is brown with slight speckles and each of its antlers consists of five points. Much at home in the forest, the deer can be seen in the lower valleys of Dachigam National Park on the foothills of the Zabarwan range on the outskirts of Srinagar for most parts of the year, though a greater number of their species can be seen from October to March. Normally found in small groups of two to eighteen, Hanguls use the forests of the Dachigam Valley as an important feeding ground and move to the higher slopes to graze. Individual stags are more likely to be seen feeding on the hill slopes. They move about quite a lot from one area to another in their search for good forage. Hanguls eat various plants such as Fraximushockeri, Jasminum humile, Hemerocallisfulva and perennial herbs, depending on the season.
3. In March and April, the stags shed their antlers and begin moving up the mountains to the alpine meadows and pine forests of Upper Dachigam between 2500 to 3500 metres. They return to the lower valley in September, by when a new set of antlers begin to grow. The natural predators that attack Hanguls are leopards and Himalayan black bears.
4. In the past, Jammu and Kashmir had a large and vibrant population of Hangul deer. However, hunting and loss of habitat from deforestation and the building of dams has significantly curbed the wild population of Hangul deer. During the 1940s, their number was believed to be around 3,000 – 5,000. As per the latest census in 2008, only 160 are left. A captive breeding centre is planned to be commissioned at Shikargah, Tral in south Kashmir, for the captive breeding of Hangul, which will be eventually released in the wild.
5. In the last few years, the government has spent crores of rupees on different projects related to the conservation of Hangul in Jammu and Kashmir. A Habitat Research Study has been initiated in Kashmir in which satellite collaring of Hangul will be used in order to understand their movement patterns and habitat, both in and outside the Dachigam National Park. In addition, a massive improvement in conducting the census programme of Hangul has been undertaken whereby satellite telemetry and field cameras of high definition are being placed in the Park. Besides, an important research programme has been launched to study the relic population of Hangul outside Dachigam National Park in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India.
6. The strict enforcement of wildlife acts and the setting up of new initiatives are anticipated to replenish this highly endangered species.
Answer these questions briefly.
(i) What is the other name for the Hangul deer?
(ii) What makes the Hangul deer stand out from others of its species?
(iii) Why is the deer named so?
(iv) How is the deer’s habitat conducive to its existence?
(v) The word …………………………., in paragraph 5, means the opposite of ‘free’.
Answers
The answers to the given questions are given as follows:
(i) Another name of Hangul deer is the Kashmir stag (Cervuselaphus hanglu hanglu).
(ii) The Hangul deer is unique among its species since it is the sole surviving race of the European red deer family on the Indian subcontinent.
(iii) The deer is called "Hangul" because "Han" is the local name for the horse chestnut tree, which the deer eats the fruit of.
(iv) The deer's habitat is conducive to its existence because Hangul graze on the higher hill slopes of the Dachigam valley's woods, which are an important feeding ground for them. Various plants that the deer eat, such as Fraximushockeri, Jasminum humile, Hemerocallisfulva, and perennial herbs, grow abundantly in the woodland, providing a good habitat for the Hangul.
(v) The word captive means opposite of 'free'.
Answer:
what is the other name for the Hangul deer