Mubashir Alam Wani
Srinagar, Jul 23: Tral Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) has emerged as a crucial link in survival of Hangul—the critically endangered Kashmir stag, acting as a natural corridor between Dachigam National Park and its historical habitats in Shikargah and Overa.
This connectivity aligns with the findings of the latest Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) 2020–2025 report, which rated Dachigam’s management as ‘Very Good’ but stressed the urgent need for expanding conservation efforts into a ‘Greater Dachigam Landscape’, a proposal that specifically highlights strengthening wildlife corridors such as Tral WLS to ensure long-term Hangul survival.
“This sanctuary serves as a critical corridor for the movement of Hangul between Dachigam NP and its historical range areas of Shikargah and Overa. There are no villages within the PA, and it benefits from good coordination with the Forest Protection Force, territorial divisions, and security forces,” reads the MEE report.
The report further states that the PA, which includes the erstwhile game reserve and consists of Shikargarh and Khangund forests, extends over 154.15 km² and was notified in 2019. Additionally, the PA encompasses 113 km² of various forests from the territorial division of Awantipora, which have not yet been formally handed over to PA management.
As per the report, the area also maintains active anti-poaching camps and regular livestock vaccination programmes.
“There is an effective presence of anti-poaching camps at Tral and Khangund, along with support from WII, local universities such as SKUAST-K and Kashmir University, and various local NGOs,” reads the report.
However, experts caution that the absence of a formal management plan, delay in eco-sensitive zone notification, encroaching summer pastoralists and their dogs, and significant armed forces presence within the sanctuary pose serious challenges.
“The PA currently lacks a management plan, and an ESZ proposal has been submitted but not yet approved. The area faces challenges from traditional summer pastoralists and their dogs, rapid land use changes in the vicinity, a widespread presence of armed forces within the PA, and shortages of protection staff, communication equipment, mobility, and high-altitude camping gear.”
Wildlife specialists stress that, in line with MEE recommendations, improving protection infrastructure and surveillance systems and adopting an ecosystem-scale landscape approach will be essential to safeguarding Hangul and other species such as musk deer.
The report has also called for conducting studies on the effects of climate change, ensuring career progression opportunities for officers from assistant wildlife wardens, and enhancing intersectoral coordination and outreach functions of the PA.
