Jammu and Kashmir with rich tradition of conservation is famous, the world over, for its lofty mountains, picturesque valleys, fascinating lakes, streams and rivers, unending varieties of its landscape, lush green forests and the rich bio-diversity, which make Jammu and Kashmir virtually a paradise on the earth. The richness of habitats and ecosystems add to the diversity of our Wildlife.

The interest in conservation is not just a sentiment but the rediscovery of the truth known to our ancient sages. Nature is beautifully balanced and all forms of life human, animal and plants are so closely inter-linked that disturbance in one give rise to imbalance in the others. Every little thing has its own place, its duty and special utility. Any interlinkage disturbances create a chain reaction which may not be visible for some time but does affect profoundly later. Existence of the mankind is a part of the bio-sphere, which consists of all living elements and forms of energy on which life depends. Every time a species becomes extinct, a strand is snapped and man himself moves closer to his doom.

 Jammu & Kashmir besides inhabiting some species that are shared with the tropical and sub-tropical parts of India is a home to an equally impressive faunal diversity particularly among insects, reptiles, birds  and mammals unique to higher altitudes, many of them are endemic to relatively confined areas of the range. It is also a unique natural area with diverse zoo-geographical regions. The north-west Himalayan region of the J&K includes temperate and sub-tropical areas of Kashmir and northern Jammu. Kashmir province has a predominantly temperate climate. Faunal elements showing affinities with northern palearctic fauna as well as eastern and oriental fauna form a unique assemblage which is of conservation value. Many species such as Markhor, Asiatic Black Bear etc. occur locally in this province of Jammu and Kashmir; species like Kashmir Red Deer or Himalayan Tahr do not extend their ranges into central Himalayas. 

The narrow strip of semi-arid zone in the southern end at the foothills of Jammu, which in fact is an extension of the Shivaliks and locally called the Kandi area, harbors some peninsular Indian elements. As such, the character of the wildlife here differs markedly from the rest due to the presence of true Indian sub-continent fauna like nilgai, five striped squirrel, Indian peafowl etc. 

Status of Wildlife in Jammu and Kashmir 

The Protection and Preservation of Wildlife has been an important component in the management of natural resources in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The todays Wildlife Department has its origin in the Game Preservation Department which was established in 1901 AD with the idea to preserve wild animals and birds for royal recreation and sport. The State was among the first few States which took steps to consolidate the law relating to Protection and Preservation of the Game in the State through enactment of the Jammu and Kashmir Game Preservation Act 1942 A.D. under Act No. XXIV of 1998 (Bikrami) and under the provisions of the Act a number of areas were declared as Game Sanctuaries, Game Reserves and Reserved Areas but there was no scientific management. For the purposes of carrying out the provisions of the Act, the rules provided for appointment of Game Wardens. 

The hunting rules were made stricter and punishment for wildlife related offences was made more severe. In the year 1978, the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act was promulgated largely modeled on the Central Protection Act, 1972 enacted on 9^th May, 1978. The “Game” word was replaced by “Wildlife” in 1978. The Act provided for constitution of National Parks, Sanctuaries, Game Reserves and Closed Areas.  Hunting for wildlife was regulated through licenses.

The 1978 Act did not envisage total ban on the killing of wild animals. Controlled hunting of big and small wild animals of many species was permitted under the license of Department mainly for game purposes. The 1978 Act did not envisage total ban on the killing of wild animals. Controlled hunting of big and small wild animals of many species was allowed under the license of Department mainly for game purposes. The significant amendments in the principal Act were made in 2002 and made more stringent.  

Wildlife Protection Department

The Wildlife Wing existed as Game Preservation Wing in the Forest Department of Jammu and Kashmir till 1979. In 1979, a Directorate of Wildlife Protection came into existence vide Government Order No. 132-FST of 1979 dated 13.08.1979. Over a time period of time, the wildlife hunting as a game changed into organized trade for meeting requirements of various products at domestic and international markets which resulted into the considerable reduction of animal population in wilderness.

In order to carry out the provisions of the Act, the Government in 1981 issued vide Government Order No. 20-FST of 1981 dated 04.02.1981 consolidated the some of the existing Game Sanctuaries and Game Reserves into National Parks, Sanctuaries and Game Reserves besides bringing some new areas under the Wildlife Conservation movement through Cabinet decision No. 35 of 2^nd February, 1981. The Government order notified three (3) National Parks and five (5) Wildlife Sanctuaries. Later some other areas were notified as part of consolidation and strengthening exercise for having a good Protected Area Network.

Biodiversity Conservation:

Biodiversity conservation became the focus of interest following U.N. Convention on Biodiversity in the Earth Summit at Rio De Janeiro in 1992 and the CITES Convention on ban on trade in animal articles and trophies. The State’s continuing provisions on hunting and trade of animal articles were in conflict with the changed scenario. These conflicts were addressed by amending the J&K Wildlife Protection Act 1978 on 6^th May, 2002.  The Act now provides a complete ban on hunting except under special circumstances. More endangered species have been brought to the Schedule-1 of the Act to afford them utmost protection. Besides important wildlife plants have been brought under the purview of the Act.

The protected areas being repository of biodiversity and gene-pool will receive utmost attention for conservation through improved management plans and techniques. Also, the Zoological Parks and Animal Rescue Centers are being developed for wildlife education, awareness and special attention is being  made to address the man wild animal interface through better coordination between the stakeholders. 

Mandate and Functioning 

The term “wildlife” encompasses all uncultivated flora and undomesticated fauna. Every species has the right to live and every threatened species must be protected to prevent its extinction. This concept is in line with world conservation strategy. Wildlife Conservation is thus synonymous with living resource conservation, which not only involves conservation of wild birds and animals but also of micro-organisms and non-living elements in the environment on which they depend. Wildlife Conservation, in this sense is a concept of management of natural eco-systems of the world. Assigning conservation, a high priority at the highest level is an imperative. Its integration in all development programmes, evolving appropriate funding mechanism, enhancement of financial allocations and provision of adequate personnel with requisite expertise has to be ensured, to arrest the ongoing trend of degradation and to restore wildlife and its habitat. 

The mandate and the functioning of the Department is enumerated as below: 

• Management & habitat improvement of Protected Areas;
• Management, restocking, reallocation of rare and endangered species;
• Anti-poaching and anti-smuggling drives;
• Law enforcement and wildlife crime control;
• Wildlife management plan formulation and implementation thereof;
• Conservation breeding, zoos & zoological parks;
• Wildlife health care and monitoring, rescue, rehabilitation and release of wild animals.
• Man-wild animal conflict resolution;
• Eco-tourism promotion;
• People and stake holders participation for protection and preservation of wildlife;
• Awareness & nature education;
• Research and training programmes;
• Species recovery programmes.

List of important wildlife species of J&K and their Status as per IUCN’s Red Data Book / J&K Wildlife Protection Act, 1978 (Amended upto 2002)

Flagship Mammals of J & K

Kashmir Red Deer 

The Kashmir Red Deer or Hangul (Cervus hangul hanglu), state animal of Jammu & Kashmir State of India, which was considered one of the six eastern most subspecies of European Red deer (Cervus elaphus) has recently been reassessed as one of the three subspecies of separate species, Tarim Red deer (Cervus hangul) and listed as critically endangered (Brook et al. 2017; IUCN 2017). Hangul once distributed widely in the mountains of Kashmir region of North West Himalayas in an arc of 40 mile (64 Km) wide, extending from Keran in Kishanganga Catchments and Dorus in Lolab valley in Bandipora to Kishtwar National Park (hereafter KNP), although small populations also occurred in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh (Ahmad et al. 2009; Qureshi et al. 2009). At present, the only viable population of Hangul is confined to Dachigam National Park (hereafter DNP) with some relic Hangul populations also occur in the adjoining areas of Brein/Nishat and Shikargah Conservation Reserves and Overa – Aru Wildlife Sanctuary besides Surfrao/Akhal and Kangan blocks of Sindh Forest Division in Kashmir valley (Ahmad et al. 2009; Qureshi et al. 2009; Ahmad et. al 2015). Estimates over the past years of the Hangul population in DNP and adjoining areas show wide fluctuations, with a drastic decline from the 1980s from 2,000 in 1947 (Gee 1965) to 140-170 in 1970 (Holloway 1971) and 175 in 1992 to 150-170 in 2003 and 140-170 in 2009 to 110-130 in 2015 (Department of Wildlife 2017).  

Kashmir Musk Deer 

Musk deer (Moschus spp.) is a primitive deer-like ruminant belonging to the family Moschidae (Green, 1985). It inhabits the forested and alpine scrub habitats of mountains in Asia (Sathyakumar et al. 2013). Recently, Groves and Grubb (2011) reclassified musk deer into seven species.  Kashmir Musk deer (Moschus cupreus) was given the status of a species. Kashmir musk deer is endemic to Kashmir region of Jammu and Kashmir State (Duckworth & MacKinnon, 2008; Sathyakumar et al., 2013) and is Endangered (IUCN 2015). It occurs along the northern bank of Jhelum River and little is known of the species’ current status and distribution in Kashmir Mountains. 

 Pirpanjal Markhor 

The markhor Capra falconeri is a goat (Family Bovidae) of the Hindu Kush–Himalaya (Schaller 1977), occurring from Kashmir (Fox & Johnsingh 1997) in the south-east to Afghanistan in the west (Habibi 1997) and Tajikistan in the north (Wienberg et al. 1997). The population is estimated to be about 3,000 in the late 1990s, mostly in small (Hess et al. 1997. In India, Markhor is found only in J&K. The State is one of the important areas for Markhor globally, and the primary area for the “PirPanjal Markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis) (Ranjitsinh et al. 2005; Bhatnagar et al. 2009). The historic distribution of Markhor in the State was continuous along the Pirpanjal range from Banihal pass in the south through Tattakuti and Khara gali (Poonch), Hirpora (Shopian), Gulmarg (Nilkanth area) and Boniyar (Burrard 1925, Stockley 1936). Across the Jhelum it occurred from Kajinag to Shamsbari (Burrard 1925, Stockley 1936). However, the recent studies have reported reduction in the distribution range with Kazinag and Hirpora possessing the only viable populations (Ranjitsinh et al. 2005; Bhatnagar et al. 2009) with Tattakuti, Noorpurgali and Khara gali inhabiting small populations. The Hirpora markhor population is, however, currently under the threat of local extinction (Ahmad et al. 2016). The total population of markhor in Jammu and Kashmir is about 300 to 350 (Ahmad et al. 2014). 

Himalayan Tahr

Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) is found in the Himalayas including China (southern Tibet), north India (Jammu and Kashmir to Sikkim), and Nepal (Grubb 2005). In India, the Himalayan tahr occurs in timberline regions across the southern forested slopes of the Himalaya from Jammu and Kashmir to Sikkim (Sathyakmuar 2002). It is patchily distributed from south-central Kashmir, eastward through the southern part of Kulu District (Himachal Pradesh) in the temperate to sub-alpine forests between 2,000 and 3,270 m (Gaston et al., 1981, 1983), and more widely present at similar elevations through northern Uttarakhand to the Nepalese border although small numbers are also found in east and west Sikkim near the borders with Nepal and Bhutan. It is listed as Near Threatened in the Red data Book (IUCN 2015). There is evidence to suggest that the species is probably declining in India (Y. V. Bhatnagar pers. comm. 2008) with considerable local extinctions having taken place and the species is almost close to extirpation in the western limit of its distribution in Jammu and Kashmir. The entire population reported north of the Chenab River from Kisthwar to the Banihal pass is believed to be extinct (Y. V. Bhatnagar pers. comm. 2008). Very small populations however, survive in the Bani-Sarthal areas of the Kathua district and the Kishtwar NP in Kishtwar-Doda districts. 

Snow leopard

Snow leopard, a native wild cat, is one of the most elusive and rare wild animal species found in the high mountains of Central and South Asia (Schaller et al. 1988; Hussain 2003; McCarthy et al. 2003; DNPWC. 2017). It is a keystone species and an indicator of healthy high mountain ecosystem. Snow leopard is the apex predator of the Himalayan ecosystem. It is is found in 12 countries including India and its global population ranges from 3,921 to 6,290 individuals (DNPWC. 2017). The state of Jammu and Kashmir, with a potential habitat of 77,800 km2, is the largest continuous habitat for the snow leopard in India occupying c. 60% of its national distribution range (Anon 2008). Thus the State has a crucial role in the conservation of this charismatic species and the associated prey and the fragile high altitude ecosystem.

Threats and Conservation

The diverse mammalian assemblage of Jammu and Kashmir is largely threatened due to various conservation problems. The wide distributional range and population of most of the threatened and restricted range species such as Kashmir Red deer (Hangul), Kashmir Musk Deer, Pirpanjal Markhor, Himalayan Serow, Himalayan Tahr, Ladakh Urial, Tibetan Gazelle, Tibetan Argali and Eurasian otter have drastically been reduced due to burgeoning human and livestock population resulting in the fragmentation/degradation of natural habitats owing to excessive biotic interferences, Livestock grazing and unwise development (Ahmad et al. 2009; Ahmad et al. 2010). The population and distribution range of our State animal-Hangul has reduced considerably. It was once distributed along a 40 km stretch across northern bank of Jhelum and the population was about 5000 individuals (Schaller 1977). Now it is restricted to a small range and the population has declined sharply to below 200 individuals (Ahmad et al. 2010). Poaching, habitat fragmentation and degradation, livestock grazing, other biotic interference and weak implementation of Wildlife Act are some of the major factors responsible for the decline (Ahmad et al. 2010). The Pirpanjal Markhor faces local extinction from main abide in Pirpanjal through Poaching, Livestock grazing, unwise development and habitat fragmentation. The illegal musk trade into China and elsewhere in northeast Asia has increased the demand on musk deer population exponentially in the Himalayas as well. There have been number of reported poaching cases of Musk deer for its pod in several parts of the State especially in the Gurez, Kupwara, Poonch and Chenab valley. These wild ungulates are an important component of faunal diversity and also form the major prey for mammalian predators and are as such indicators of health of the habitat and the status of biodiversity (Ahmad et al. 2009; Shah et al. 2009; Ahmad et al. 2010).

Several Trans-Himalayan wild herbivores and their habitats are threatened and have undergone local extirpations and range reductions over the last few decades (Fox et al. 1991; Mishra et al. 2002; Bhatnagar et al. 2006b). Of the eight wild large herbivore species occurring in the Indian Trans-Himalaya, at least four species number less than 500 surviving individuals (Johnsingh et al. 2006). The reasons are competition from increasing livestock numbers, hunting from locals, nomadic herders and security forces, unwise development, habitat fragmentation and degradation, lack of awareness among major stake holders and lack of political will. 

The major wild carnivores such as Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, common leopard and Himalayan black bear are killed for wildlife trade. Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, Tibetan wolf and common leopard are also killed in retaliation by nomadic herders for livestock loss to these carnivores. Further the common leopard and black bear are in conflict with humans and are being killed to save the human lives.

         Due to decline in the ungulate populations and the habitat degradation, in the region, some carnivores such as common leopard and black bear have been straying out of Protected Areas in search of food and thus come in the contact of humans creating conflict. As such human-wildlife conflicts have become more frequent, carnivore populations have become more fragmented, and mortality from anthropogenic pressure increases. Nomadic herders take their livestock in PAs also where carnivores’ common leopard, Brown and Black bear, Snow leopard and Wolf attack the livestock and herders kill these carnivores in retaliation (Ahmad et al. 2011). These carnivores the have been also preying on livestock in the villages and damaging crops and even injuring or killing humans (Ahmad et al. 2012; Ahmad 2015). Thus, acceptance of conservation of wildlife by local people has as such greatly been affected in the region during the recent years. Such effects on wildlife population, environment, food-chain in ecosystem, human and socio-economic impacts suggest that Government and non-governmental organizations, wildlife managers, scientists, and local communities need to recognize the problem and recommend policies to resolve the conflict in the interest of wildlife and human well- being (Ahmad et al. 2010, 2012).

Protected Areas have been designated in the State to conserve wildlife. However, even these protected areas have not been inviolate to threats such as heavy livestock presence and unwise development. The manpower with the Wildlife Department is meager to protect these areas. The infrastructure is also weak to facilitate the protection of these priority sites. There is lack of political will and lack of awareness among the major stake holders to conserve the biodiversity of the State. As unlike most other terrestrial landscapes of the country, and, in fact, unlike many other parts of Asia, the wildlife populations in the Himalayas and Trans-Himalaya are not restricted to protected areas, but occur across the landscape (Bhatnagar et al. 2006c). Therefore, the conservation of wild mammals has to be a landscape approach. 

The conservation of biodiversity in general and wild mammalian diversity in particular should be a collaborative effort of the State Wildlife Protection Department, Policy makers and Politicians, the education institutes and students, the scientific community and naturalists, NGOs and the local communities. Necessary support of other Departments like Law, Planning and Finance are imperative, so that this “invaluable treasure” is not lost to the posterity. The rare species of our fauna need careful and constant monitoring on scientific lines. Time has come to implement the Wildlife Act and Biodiversity Act on ground to conserve our nature for future. 

Wetland bio-diversity

The Lakes in J&K present great diversity with regard to aquatic vegetation representing all the taxonomic groups varying from simplest forms of algae to higher forms of angiosperms. Almost all the areas are natural wetlands supporting submerged plants, attached, free-floating plants, emergent aquatic plants, grasses, herbs reeds and sedges. 

Almost all the taxonomic categories of fauna ranging from protozoa to mammals are represented in wetlands of Jammu and Kashmir, with invertebrates being the most dominant group. Many lakes are famous for the spectacular wildlife concentrations whereas some lakes are the centre of rare and endemic avifaunal species. In the Kashmir valley, Haigam and Hokersar are the important sites for the concentration of water fowl. These provide shelter to migrating birds from China and Russia and breeding sites for other summer migrants. The wetlands of ladakh, besides being transit sports, are breeding ground for a variety of water fowl i.e. bar headed geese, great crested grebe, brahminy duck, lesser sand plover, black-necked crane and black necked grebe. Major water fowl species are the common coot, common teal, common pochard, lapwing, egrets, pintail, gadwall, grey heron, moorhen, shovellers, little grebe etc. 

The summer migrants are: dabchick, white spotted fantail flycatcher, weaver bird, common kingfisher, yellow head wagtail, grey wagtail, white wagtail, little bittern and whiskered tern. The winter migrants visit only for a short stay; their main feeding grounds are Hokersar, Haigam, Anchar, Wular etc. 

Concluding Remarks

Jammu and Kashmir is bestowed with a rich and unique assemblage of wild mammals. Many of these mammals such as Ladakh urial and Tibetan argali have restricted distribution and some of them such as Hangul and Kashmir musk deer are endemic to the State. We have also keystone and flagship species like snow leopard and Pirpanjal markhor in J&K. The distribution of many of these species has been recently updated and exploratory surveys are still needed to update the status and distribution of species like Kashmir musk deer, Himalayan Tahr and Himalayan Serow. Except a few, rest of the species are least studied. Information on population dynamics, basic ecology of most of these mammals is still lacking. We also lack the knowledge about the major threats of many of these mammals. In order to understand the impact of management interventions, the monitoring of threatened species is crucial. The understanding of basic ecology and assessment of serious threats would be required to conserve a species.

The status of many of the wild mammals in J&K is threatened, population are small, fragmented and on decline. As discussed above, poaching, livestock grazing, habitat fragmentation, habitat degradation, unwise development, lack of law enforcement, lack of awareness and lack of political will are some of the major issue’s biodiversity conservation is facing. Therefore, in order to save our natural heritage, we have to take a holistic approach by involving local communities, Government and non-government organizations, students and teachers, scholars and scientists, naturalists and conservationists, policy makers and politicians, migratory herders and poachers, law enforcement agencies and violators. Without losing any more time, implementation of conservation measures has to be done to arrest any further loss or endangering of species.