Kashmir stag: a rare beauty

The Kashmir stag, or hangul, is considered to be one of the rarest mammals in the Indian subcontinent since the 1950s – rarer than the elusive snow leopard. Once found in the high altitude regions of Pakistan and northern India, with an estimated population of 5000 in 1950, it had been significantly reduced to 400 by 1957 (relivearth.com). It is now located only in Dachigam National Park in the Zabarwan mountain range in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian area of Kashmir where it is the region’s animal emblem. The Jammu and Kashmir’s Department of Wildlife Protection collaborated with the Wildlife Institute of India to document the hangul population in 2011. The study estimated the population at a mere 205 to 233 (freepresskashmir.com).

The Kashmir stag (Cervus elaphus hanglu) is a red deer with magnificent antlers of five tines (prongs or points). It is the only surviving sub-species of the Red Deer family. It can grow to 120-140 cms (4-4.5 ft) in height to the shoulder and weigh up to 150-180 kilograms (330-400 lbs).

However, the hangul population continues to be threatened by development, nomadic sheep graziers, cattle, infectious diseases, poaching, and cement factories on the park periphery.

Photograph: relivearth.com

http://freepresskashmir.com/kashmirs-pride-faces-extinction-044613/

http://relivearth.com/endangered-species/kashmir-stag-hangul/

Comments

2016 update on Rike Park, Tbilisi: from construction to busy park

From a flat patch of uninteresting dirt, Rike Park in Tbilisi, Georgia, has transformed in four years (from 2014-2016) into a busy park full of trees, flower beds, sculptures, fountains, and events. Rike (Rikhe) Park is on the left bank of the Mt’k’vari River (the Kura River) near the Old City of Tbilisi. The Peace Bridge links the right bank to Rike Park. Rike Park is below the hillside Presidential Palace and, via cable car, it is the starting point for the ride to Sololaki Ridge (with the Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue). The glass box-shaped cable car terminus was opened on 23 June 2012, and since then the park has continually developed into a ‘people’s park’ where people can walk around, eat at the nearby restaurants, sit next to the statue of American president Ronald Reagan, climb the steps to Avlabari district, and access the sights of Meidan Square, the Peace Bridge, the Metekhi Church, the Old City, the waterfall, the sulphur baths, and t...

The acacia thorn trees of Kenya

There are nearly 800 species of acacia trees in the world, and most don’t have thorns. The famous "whistling thorn tree" and the Umbrella Thorn tree of Kenya are species of acacia that do have thorns, or spines. Giraffes and other herbivores normally eat thorny acacia foliage, but leave the whistling thorn alone. Usually spines are no deterrent to giraffes. Their long tongues are adapted to strip the leaves from the branches despite the thorns. The thorny acacia like dry and hot conditions. The thorns typically occur in pairs and are 5-8 centimetres (2-3 inches) long. Spines can be straight or curved depending on the species. MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Suda...

Hop on hop off bus tourism comes to Tbilisi, Georgia

City Sightseeing buses have arrived in Tbilisi. The iconic red double-decker buses, a feature of many cities around the world since the company was established in Seville, Spain in 1999, is now in six continents and almost 100 cities. The company established its Tbilisi business in November 2013, with its operations commencing in February 2014. The 90-minute tour stops at 11 major locations in Tbilisi (with 2 to 5 minute waiting times at each location): the Old City (where it commences), Freedom Square, Rose Revolution Square, Marjanishvili Square, the Dry Bridge, Konka, Avlabari, Metekhi, Akhundov Museum, the Sulfur Baths, and European Square. Passengers can hop off at any stop and see the sights, hopping back onto the next bus at any time. Alternatively, passengers can remain on the bus for the whole tour and take photographs when the bus stops at each location. There are one day (24-hour) passes (for 35 lari – about $20) and 48-hour passes for 55 lari, with family d...

FEAST OR FAMINE

Search This Blog