The Department of Wildlife Protection, J&K, successfully inaugurated the Hangul Population Estimation (Hangul Census) 2025 at an event organized here.

The event was attended by 470 participants from various educational institutions, including SKUAST-Kashmir, University of Kashmir, Amar Singh College Srinagar, Women’s College M.A. Road Srinagar, Cluster University, as well as representatives from NGOs, Forest Protection Department, and the staff of Wildlife Protection Department.

Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir Region,Tawheed Ahmad Deva was the chief guest at the event. He delivered the keynote address, underscoring the ecological importance of the Hangul species and the necessary precautions to be taken during the census. Deva emphasized the need for meticulous data collection and community participation in conservation efforts.

Earlier, the inaugural session commenced with an overview of the Hangul Population Estimation 2025 by Pervaiz Ahmad Wani, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Wildlife Warden, Central Division, Srinagar.

He highlighted the significance of the census and the collective responsibility in ensuring the conservation of the critically endangered Hangul (Cervus hanglu hanglu), Kashmir’s state animal.

Following this, Rashid Yahya Naqash, Regional Wildlife Warden (HQ), shared his insights and experiences regarding past population estimation efforts, and stressed the importance of scientific data collection for effective conservation strategies.

Prominent researchers and conservationists enriched the training session with their expertise. Dr. Khursheed, Head, Wildlife Division, Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K and Dr. Tanushree, Project Head, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), delivered lectures on research methodologies, evidence collection, and the role of scientific monitoring in the Hangul census.

Aliya Mir, Project Head, Wildlife SOS, and Dr. Mahreen, Project Head, Wildlife Conservation & Research Foundation (WCRF), shared their field experiences and highlighted key challenges in Hangul conservation. Nadeem Qadri, Director, Wildlife Conservation Fund (WCF), emphasized the legal and ecological aspects of Hangul protection, urging participants to actively contribute to conservation initiatives.

Concluding the session, Dr. Sameena Amin Charoo, Technical Officer, O/o Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir, provided an in-depth lecture on the census techniques, methodologies, and sample collection procedures. She also elaborated on the do’s and don’ts for participants, ensuring standardized and accurate data collection for the 2025 census.

The Hangul Population Estimation 2025 is scheduled to commence on March 18, 2025, and will be conducted in three counts on March 18, 20, and 22. The exercise aims to generate precise population data, contributing to the conservation and management strategies for Hangul.