One CBM that they hadn’t factored: LoC ceasefire brings back the mountain goats

The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Nature Conservation Society, Mysore, the Jammu and Kashmir wildlife department and the environment and ecology cell of the Indian Army jointly conducted the ‘‘silent drive count’’ of Pir Panjal Markhors over three months during 2004-05. The team has recently submitted its report to the state government.

In all, 155 animals were sighted in the two survey blocks of Kaj-i-Nag and Hirpura and a population of 280-330 is estimated in the entire range including Poonch and Boniyar.

The survey, however, couldn’t find any presence of Markhor in other potential blocks like Shamshabari and Gulmarg.

‘‘It is really encouraging that we still have a sizeable Markhor population here. The present peace situation is conducive for wildlife. Regular cross-border firing and shelling was a serious threat. But the habitation was improving even before the ceasefire was announced in late 2003. We declared protected areas and were hopeful that the Markhor population would improve,’’ J&K Chief Wildlife Warden CM Seth told The Indian Express.

J&K Principal Chief Conservator of Forests SD Swatantra also lauded the Army for its role.

‘‘Army personnel have been sensitive to the environmental concerns. Border thaw during the last two years has helped the animals a lot. Earlier, constant presence of the troops minimised poaching and human interference. Now in the absence of conflict, the habitat is improving fast,’’ he said.

The Markhor is critically endangered as per the International Union for Convention of Nature and Natural Flora and Fauna (IUCN) Red List. In India, it is included in the Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act 1978. But rampant poaching continued, thanks to easily available sophisticated arms in the conflict-ridden state.

Markhor horns are in demand for traditional Asian medicine. In China, horns are reportedly sold at $1000 per kg. One of the most desired hunting trophies, a pair of cork-screw horns — with its record length exceeding 5 feet — can fetch up to $1500 in the international market.

These apart, for many in Kashmir, Markhor meat has been the most preferred bush protein. Consequently, the animals became extremely rare in the mid-’90s. In last few years, except for rare departmental claims, there was no definite proof of the presence of Pir Panjal Markhors in India.

Now with confirmed reports of several small herds this side of the LoC, the Markhor map extends from the mountains north of the Amur Darya River in Turkmenistan, east through Afghanistan and Pakistan, into the extreme northwestern part of India.

The joint survey highlighted factors like poaching, over-grazing and constant border conflict as the major threats to Markhor population.

Pointing out that Hirapura sanctuary and Kaj-i-Nag national park are ‘‘the potential source populations for conservation and restocking’’ of Markhor in the rest of its range, the report sought merger of Lachipora sanctuary and Naganari conservation area with Kaj-i-Nag and form a single unit for collaborative management with the help of the Army. To check livestock grazing, encroachment and poaching, it stressed the need for capacity building of the wildlife department in terms of manpower, resources and training.

‘‘We will chalk up an action plan in consultation with the Union ministry to effectively manage the Markhor ranges. We will also take whatever help possible from the Army. The state government is keen to protect these majestic goats which are a part of Kashmir’s identity,’’ Seth said.