By Izhar Wani
Dachigam, India - Kashmir's majestic red deer - the last surviving of the Asian species - are battling extinction in the face of threats to their habitat from a deadly revolt in the region and government inaction, environmentalists say.
The deer were once the biggest attraction of the mountain-ringed forests of Dachigam near Srinagar, summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir which is reeling from a 15-year insurrection against Indian rule.
But now the number of the antlered deer, or hangul, has shrunk to just 195 from 5 000 in the late 1940s, a new state wildlife census shows.
"It's shocking the hangul is on the verge of extinction," said Mubashir Hussain, secretary general of the non-government group Global Green Peace.
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The region of snowcapped mountains, lush forests and glittering blue lakes was once a top now is the scene of daily gun battles between militants and security forces.
The government has set up conservation areas but their sanctity has been largely ignored due to the revolt.
"During the last 15 years of turmoil, all the areas around Dachigam have witnessed daily patrolling by security forces, practice shooting sessions and encounters between rebels and troops," Hussain said.
On top of that threat, there is poaching by militants, security forces and locals who prize the hangul for its delicious meat, environmentalists and locals say.
Now, worryingly for the deer's fertility outlook, the Wildlife Institute of India survey also found a low number of young females.
"This is alarming trend," the survey report said. "In the coming summer, staff should be deployed to monitor fawning and threats to fawning grounds."
About 295 observers fanned out in Dachigam National Park, eight conservation reserves and three wildlife sanctuaries to carry out the survey in March.
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