Jehangir Rashid
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct 5: At a time when the whole state is observing the wildlife week results of a survey points towards the dwindling population of Markhor in Jammu & Kashmir more so in the Kashmir valley.
The survey carried out jointly by Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu & Kashmir and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has pointed out that the population of Markhor has dwindled by 50 percent in the past one decade or so. However, in this whole scenario there is a good thing and that is the female Markhors are still breeding.
"In 2012 we had sighted five Markhor groups and in 2005 it was 15 Markhor groups. The Markhor population estimation in 2005 was 50-60 and the current estimation show that about half of the Markhor population has gone in one decade," reads the survey report.
The survey report goes on to say, "But the good sign is that the females are still breeding as they are accompanied by kids. This is also an indication that if steps are taken we will be able to save this population from local extinction."
"We observed two Markhor groups in Hirpora WLS, one in Donadi and one in Sonchal Pathri. The composition of one group was two females and one kid while as the composition of other group was one male, one female and a kid. We also observed fresh footmarks three fresh pellet groups in different bloc From 60-70 in 2004-05 to 20-25 in 2017
The survey report said that the researchers recorded the direct and indirect evidences of other wild animals. There was direct evidence of animals like included Red Fox, Royle Pika, Yellow Throated Martin, Golden Eagle, Himalayan Snow Cock, Bearded Vulture, Himalayan Griffon and Snow Pigeon.
At the same time there was indirect evidence of animals like Himalayan Musk Deer, Himalayan Brown Bear, Tibetan Wolf, Leopard and Himalayan Black Bear. The researchers during the survey documented the evidence both direct and indirect of the wild animals.
A table drawn by the researchers during the survey report point out that the population of Markhor has gone down by more than 50 percent in the past 13 odd years. According to the Census of 2004-05 the population of Markhor was 60-70. The number range came down to 25-30 in the 2010 Census. Number of Markhors was in the range of 20 and 25 in 2017 Census.
It would be in place to mention here that the Markhor is protected under the Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as well as the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act 1978. In India Markhor is found only in Jammu and Kashmir with Kazinag and Pir Panjal as the only viable populations. | 