On the face of it, the similarities between Dachigam in Kashmir and Ranthambhore in Rajasthan are obvious. Both are hunting preserves established by erstwhile maharajas that were later converted into National Parks. While both parks can boast of rich wildlife populations, they have achieved international fame for a single species - Ranthambhore for its tigers and Dachigam for the last viable population of the 'Hangul' or Kashmir stag.

Dachigam has the advantage of being easily accessible as it is located on the banks of the Dal Lake along the Zabarvan hills, within the municipal limits of Srinagar city, while reaching Ranthambhore involves a trip of several hours by train or car from Delhi to the foothills of the Aravalli range.

Ranthambhore has a thriving tourist trade based on well-regulated 'tiger safaris' in 5 different zones inside the park. Tourists are escorted by knowledgeable guides in open jeeps or minibuses twice a day for three hour long safaris in the mornings and evenings. Hundreds of nature-lovers visit Ranthambhore every week hoping for a tiger-sighting and contribute to the upkeep of the park. The positive effect on the local economy is visible everywhere, and Ranthambhore's many luxury resorts bear testimony to the vibrant tourist related activities the tiger has helped to generate in what would have otherwise been a small, dusty little town in the foothills of the Aravalli range.

In stark comparison, Dachigam is an inaccessible fortress with severely restricted entry, used only as a VIP getaway. I would like to imagine tourists visiting the park for a 'Hangul safari'. The thought may not be as far-fetched as it seems because the Hangul is the only surviving species of the Red Deer family in the subcontinent. Millions of people travel around the world every year to see exotic species of wildlife - African safaris are a prime example. If nature-enthusiasts are allowed to visit Dachigam, they can add valuable information about its flora, fauna and overall ecology, besides contributing to the local economy.

An entirely new 'Nature Tourism' sector can be developed in Kashmir, covering its internationally-recognised wetlands and other parks like Overa in Aru and Hemis in Ladakh. Normally I would not advocate increased human activities in protected areas but desperate situations call for desperate measures. Increased awareness about their threatened status may help to save these ecosystems. Maybe the proposed Siachen Peace Park will prove to be a step in the right direction.


P.S Did I mention that I was lucky enough to spot a tiger on my first safari in Ranthambhore? Check out the photo.

Image copyright Dr. Bakshi Jehangir

The phrase 'wild goose chase', attributed to Shakespeare, refers to the pursuit of something unattainable compared poetically to the elusiveness of wild geese. Trust us Kashmiri's to put our own spin on things and end up on a 'Wild Owl Chase'. If recent news reports are to be believed, an unknown person is offering a Rs. 30 lakh [approx 70,000 USD] reward for the capture of a 3-kilogram owl in Kashmir.

The Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) is a large owl classified as a locally common resident in Kashmir. Adults may weigh around 3 kgs. The Tawny Fish Owl (Ketupa flavipes) is an uncommon species slightly larger than the former. These are the only two species that qualify by weight, but are surely not worth the money. The 30-lakh offer is, therefore, either a hoax or an attempt to buy an extremely rare owl species that the person making the offer is certain exists in the area. I hope the Wildlife Protection Department is keeping an eye on things. If an unrecorded rare species of owl does exist, population studies and protection measures should be adopted without delay.

News Link:
Kashmiris chase owls - and millionaire dreams
True? Who cares; Fed on rumors, Kashmiris seek riches in owls, elusive strangers

Kashmir's Wildlife Department.claim to have formally constituted a team to verify the impact on the protected birds. According to the Yahoo News article, an official of the department informed reporters that no Indian owl weighs 3 kilograms. Too bad Wildlife Department officers dont even know what owls are found in Kashmir and how large they are.

P.S As an afterthought, could a new Harry Potter craze have something to do with this mystery? Check out this BBC link from 2001. Anyway, a Snowy Owl would be extremely rare in Kashmir.

UPDATE [22 January 2007]:

Seems like the craziness has spread beyond Kashmir:
A Kashmir rumour sparks owl hunt in North India
Giant Owl Terrorizing Community In England


Image Courtesy: Wikipedia Commons

There seems to be some more welcome news for Kashmir's beleaguered wildlife. It seems that there has been a 20-60% increase in the population of indigenous animals and birds, ostensibly due to the disarming of the local population and the reluctance of poachers to venture into the deeper forests. While the source of the information is impeccable - no less an authority than the Chief Wildlife Warden himself, I am inclined to agree with Asif Hameed in thinking that these figures need to be taken with an extra large pinch of preferably iodised salt.

We should realise the danger of presuming that the outlook is indeed that rosy, unless these figures are backed up by scientific studies. Even if they are farly accurate, there should be no easing up on critical conservation efforts in the future.


News Link:
Insurgency benefits Kashmir wildlife

The Snow Leopard or Ounce [Uncia uncia] is the keystone species of the fragile Trans-Himalaya ecosystem. The welfare of this 'keystone' or 'indicator' species is - as the name suggests - an indicator of the health of its overall habitat. The Snow Leopard is listed as 'Endangered' in the 'IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals' and is included in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act 1978.

A classic keystone species is a small predator that prevents a particular herbivorous species from exploding in numbers and wiping out the dominant plants, thus dramatically altering the character of the ecosystem.

Aound half of India's snow leopard population (< 600) roams Kashmir's Trans-himalayan mountain ranges at altitudes between 4,500 to above 6,600 metres. The news that a new conservation project "Project Snow Leopard" will be launched early next year to provide the highly endangered snow leopard population special protection is very welcome.


News Link:
Kashmir's Snow Leopards to Get Extra Protection
2009 Update
Project Snow Leopard Launched to Save Species

Learn more about:
The Snow Leopard
The Trans-Himalaya
Why should we be concerned about wildlife conservation issues?

Image Courtesy : Stock Xchng

A heavily defended barrier built along India's disputed border with Pakistan is curbing the movement of wild bears and leopards which were earlier able to roam through forests in the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir. According to news reports, these animals are now attacking Kashmiris living in isolated hamlets.

News Link:
Fenced In, Kashmir's Leopards, Bears Stalk Villages

UPDATE [December 17 2006] Black Bear Burnt Alive
In an unfortunate follow-up incident, the torching of a live Black Bear in Tral was shown live on TV on December 17 2006 by a private TV news channel. I had to change the channel quickly because my kids were absolutely shocked by the video feed. The bear was beaten and then set aflame reportedly in the presence of J&K State Wildlife Department officials. While the department blames the people and police for the incident, the government has ordered a probe and attached four officials.

UPDATE [January 17 2007] Leopard stoned to death
Private TV news channels broadcast disturbing footage of a frenzied mob stoning a leopard to death in Chak Chotipora village of Pulwama district of Kashmir on January 17 2007.

In 2006, a dozen people lost their lives in 70 incidents of what is being termed the man-animal conflict across Kashmir .These deaths led to the retaliatory killing of 25 wild animals, mainly leopards, across the valley. Urgent action in compliance with the National Wildlife Action Plan and IUCN's Species Survival Commission recommendations needs to be taken to avoid these incidents in the future. The Wildlife Department officials need proper equipment and training since man-animal conflicts may increase in the future.

Equally important is the need to educate and reassure a panicky populace which has come to believe that all large carnivores like bears and leopards are man-eaters and have to be killed on sight. When human killings do occur, the animal responsible should be dealt with swiftly to avoid a mass fear pychosis from developing against all wild animals in the affected areas.


News Link:
When humans roasted a live bear!
Video available here:
Bear burning in India
Leopard killed in Shopian

Learn More:
Man-Animal Conflict in Kashmir
IUCN Species Survival Commission

Image © Dr. Bakshi Jehangir