The last surviving wild population of the Kashmir red deer (Cervus elaphus hanglu) or Hangul inhabits the Dachigam National Park located near Srinagar city of Kashmir, India. This paper presents data from February 2001 to December 2009 on habitat use patterns and food habits of the Kashmir red deer. Investigations based on surveys along trails indicate that Hangul showed significant differences in the use of different habitat types (F = 6.49; P = 0.001) between seasons. Males showed significant differences in habitat utilization both within a season (F = 3.63; P ≤ 0.013) and between seasons (F = 1.50; P ≤ 0.087). Females showed differences in their habitat use within season but not between seasons (F = 14.771; P ≤ 0.577). Surveys showed the deer predominantly using the lower and middle altitudes (1700–1900 m and 1900–2300 m) with no significant gender differences. The riverine and mixed oak forests showed the highest mean deer pellet density/ha (153.71 ± 173.43, n = 418 and 188.60 ± 56.41, n = 114, respectively). The grassy/rocky cliff habitat showed the lowest mean pellet density/ha (55.92 ± 18.32, n = 228). The Hangul diet constituted mainly of dicotyledonous shrubs and trees (45.45 and 80.77%), forbs/herbs (36.36 and 19.23%), monocotyledon grasses and herbs (18.18 and 16.22%) in spring and winter, respectively. Summer diet comprised 42.86% forbs, 19.05% grass/sedges and 38.10% browses. In autumn, Hangul fed mainly on dicotyledonous shrubs. The habitat use patterns of Hangul are comparable with those of the European red deer and are influenced by availability of food, cover, shelter, altitude, slope, aspect and the level of disturbance. The habitats with ideal conditions for utilization but with a meager disturbance were avoided by Hangul. Recommendations are given for better and effective management, protection and conservation of this small and isolated population of red deer.

The Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), or chiru, is an endangered antelope, distributed in China [Xinjiang, Xizang, Qinghai, Zhuolaihu Lake (Breeding habitat)], and India (Aksai Chin and Ladakh). There is a global demand for the species prized wool, which is used in weaving shahtoosh shawls. Over the years, the population of the Tibetan antelope has drastically declined from more than a million to a few thousand individuals, mainly due to poaching. Field studies undertaken in Ladakh, India also indicated winter migration of the population to Tibet. Migration between winter and calving habitats is well established to be female-biased across the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau (QTP). For effective conservation planning, genetic characterization is considered the best way to understand the likely impact of threats for ensuring the long-term viability of the population. In this regard, genetic characteristics of all Chinese populations are well-studied using mitochondrial and microsatellite markers, but information is lacking for the Indian population. Therefore, using the control region marker, we document for the first time the genetic variation of the Indian population of the Tibetan antelope, the extent of migration and its relationships with other populations of China. The partial fragment of control region (259 bp) marker was successfully amplified in 30 Tibetan antelope samples that were collected from the Chang Chenmo Valley in eastern Ladakh, India. We also retrieved control region sequences (n = 88) available in the public domain from GenBank of different Chinese populations. Low levels of nucleotide (π; 0.004) and haplotype (hd; 0.543) diversity were observed in the Indian population when compared to Chinese populations (π = 0.01357–0.02048 and hd = 0.889–0.986). Commonly used indices (Tajima's D and Fu's Fs) were analyzed for inferring the demographic history of the Indian populations, and all values were negative indicating population expansion or demographic equilibrium, though nonsignificant. We observed five haplotypes in the Indian population, and these were not reported in previously studied populations of QTP. Bayesian-based phylogenetic analysis indicates the presence of four clades, however, the posterior probability support for three of these clades is weak (<0.5). Of these, the Indian population formed a distinct clade, whereas the Chinese populations exhibited shared haplotypes, and no geographic structure was observed. Median-joining network analysis was conducted for 46 haplotypes in the overall population, except the samples from India which showed a star-like topology. The Indian population is separated by one median vector from the Chinese population. The present study revealed the presence of different sub-clades in the Bayesian phylogenetic tree and five new haplotypes only in the Indian population or sampling location. Furthermore, in the phylogenetic tree, Indian haplotypes of Tibetan antelopes were clustered with the haplotype reported in the Chinese population of the Xinjiang region. Median-joining network analysis showed shared haplotypes pattern in all populations of QTP except the samples from India which showed new haplotypes. Given the presence of low nucleotide and haplotype diversity in eastern Ladakh populations and limited information available for populations of the western side in its range, we suggest to include genetic studies of Tibetan antelope populations around Aksai Chin (Fig. 1) under the proposed transboundary agenda between India and China and assess relationships with other populations. Such understanding would enable the planning of conservation strategies for ensuring long-term survival of westernmost populations in its range, and if required, it would establish connectivity with the other populations.

The Tarim red deer Cervus hanglu has been recently recognized as a separate deer species with populations in China, Central Asia and Kashmir. These populations are few, isolated and at risk of extinction. The documented range of the Kashmir population of the hangul, now recognized as Cervus hanglu hanglu, is restricted to c. 808 km² and comprises < 200 individuals, confined mainly to the 141 km² Dachigam National Park. A few relict herds inhabit the surrounding landscape. Here we analyse the results of almost 20 years of population monitoring (January 2001–March 2020). We found that this population is unable to increase despite full protection within Dachigam National Park. We performed a population viability analysis using both deterministic and stochastic simulations and found that further population decrease is likely. We recommend the use of improved monitoring methods to investigate the population dynamics of the hangul and the implementation of measures to reduce the risk of extinction faced by this small population. Science-based conservation policies, including ex situ conservation and reintroduction programmes, will be required to increase the hangul population size and range.

The Western and Trans-Himalayan region of India is home to several unique and threatened mountain ungulates including Kashmir red deer or Hangul, Kashmir Musk deer, Urial, Argali, Tibetan Antelope or Chiru, Tibetan Gazelle, Wild Yak, and Wild Ass that are endemic to this region. However, this ecologically significant and diverse biodiversity is threatened by climate change, habitat degradation, and fragmentation accompanied by overexploitation in the form of poaching. In locations where the ungulates are common, the situation inevitably leads to human-wildlife conflict. All these have caused many wildlife species to become ecologically isolated, reduced in numbers, and in the process of becoming locally extinct. Over the years, I have undertaken extensive surveys to assess the status of 20 ungulate species inhabiting the Himalayan region belonging to four families, namely Bovidae, Cervidae, Equidae, and Moschidea including the eight out of the 10 most highly endangered ungulates in India, which are unique to this region. The results of our findings on the current status, information on the lesser known aspects of ecology, and critical factors determining the population decline, knowledge gaps, conservation threats, and management suggestions are presented in this paper.

Understanding the population status and habitat use of a species is fundamental for initiating conservation action. The present study was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022 to assess the population status and habitat use of White-crested Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos hamiltoni in the Limber Wildlife Sanctuary. Line transects/trails (n = 7) were established across all the habitat types. A total of 45 direct sightings of the bird were recorded in the study area. The highest abundance was recorded in autumn (2.25 ± 0.53 birds/km) and the lowest in spring (0.22 ± 0.53 birds/km). Flock size ranged from one individual to nine individuals. Of the different habitat types identified, most sightings occurred in coniferous forests with high understory (n = 16). The agricultural terracings (n = 6) and grassy slopes (n = 2) exhibited the fewest sightings. Recognizing and mapping these habitats are fundamental initial measures for conserving the species within the landscape.

A field study was carried out for the first time in Kashmir Valley to investigate the population status and distribution of Ibisbill. The initial reconnaissance surveys conducted across Kashmir Valley, indicated that the Lidder River in district Anantnag and Sindh River in district Ganderbal harbor populations of Ibisbill. During the intensive study carried out in the river Sindh from September 2017 to August 2018, the mean population size was maximum (36±8.63) at Stretch I and minimum (3±1.35) at stretch II. The seasonal population of Ibisbill was maximum (25.66±18.44) in the autumn and minimum (10±9.35) in the winter. The present study indicated that river Sindh provides an ideal habitat for Ibisbill, and was most widely used by the bird. We recommend further intensive research studies on the lesser known aspects of ecology and biology of this enigmatic species for long term conservation planning in the region.