SKUAST-K organizes 2-day workshop on conservation of Hangul at SKICC

SRINAGAR: A 2-day workshop on “The Conservation of Hangul and other Endangered Mountain Wildlife Biodiversity” was today held here at SKICC, Srinagar. The workshop was organized by Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K).
During the Conference some brain storm deliberations were made on the aspects of life history, biology, ecology and monitoring, management, socio-economic, diseases and conservation breeding aspects of Hangul, prerequisite for its effective long term scientific management and conservation planning.
Addressing the participants, wildlife lovers and stakeholders, the Chief Guest, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Mr. Tej Pratap Singh emphasised on the wildlife human conflict, habitat improvement and economic growth. He said the Hangul with other wild specifies became victims due to increase in human population led to scarcity of land, water and other national resources. He said the impact of human activities on physical environment has laid tremendous pressure on the natural resources. He said, during past year’s there has been a domination of the technology and demography which resulted in hindrances for the welfare of the ecology. He said the need of the hour is to take steps to address the key global issues of wildlife and biodiversity, i.e. species loss and conservation and impact of climate change on biodiversity. He said the increased human needs due to population explosion and development growth are causes for shrinking of natural eco-system the habitats of wild animals.
The Commissioner/Secretary Forests and Wildlife, Mr. Shantmanu emphasized on the role of SKUAST in imparting the latest information on conservation of Hangul and Biodiversity. He said though tentative population of Hangul has increased during the last two years but is not upto the mark and comparable to the 40 years back.
Meanwhile, it was said in the Conference that under the supervision of Wildlife Scientist, Dr. Khursheed Ahmad, the University has already organized two international conferences on Conversation of Hangul and other Endangered Deer Species during 2009-2010.
The workshop was addressed also by other dignitaries like, Director Research SKUAST-K, Dr. Shafiq Ahmad Wani, Principal Conservator of Wildlife, Mr. Hafiz-ullah Sidique, experts of Wildlife, Stakeholders, members of Civil Society, Panchayat Sarpanchs and Ecologist from other State of the country.