Killing of Hangul (Stag) and Ibex— the rare and endangered species was once permitted in Kashmir! Sounds strange— but that is the harsh reality. Even hunting was considered a game and there existed “Department of Hunting’’ that had set certain rules and regulations for hunters visiting Kashmir. Thanks to the enactment of Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978,  that the killing a wildlife was legally stopped.

     Prior to enactment of Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978, hunting was considered as a `game’ in Jammu and Kashmir and hunters from far off countries like France, Italy, England and America used to visit the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir. The hunters would with pride take photographs of the killed animals and mention about their “performance’’ publically. Local hunters were helping them in their “mission’’

   Kashmir Rechords is in possession of one such write-up, written in April 1951 along with a photograph of dead Hanguls, Ibexes and bears on display. As per the contents of the write-up (in Urdu),  “Mehkama Shikaar’’—The Hunting Department had permitted killing of “Parinda’, `Charinda” and `Darinda’ in Kashmir, besides fishing. The licence holder hunters would move in search of their prey between September 15 to March 15 every year. They would carry adequate packed food and ammunition on their horse backs as well.

         

                      

Hanguls were in abundance in and around Srinagar

 As per the records, Hanguls, (now declared endangered species) were found in abundance 30 miles in and around Srinagar.  They were being frequently spotted in Bandipura, Khanmoh, Laam, Verinaag and Ganderbal areas. A Hangul, with its horns less than 35 inches, were not allowed to be hunted. Hanguls normally shed their horns in April and by July, they are back with the new ones.

  In the write-up reproduced here, the author claims to have killed a 51 inch long horned Hangul in Dachigaam area besides another one with 45 inch long horn. Hunters were, however, not allowed to kill more than two Hanguls per year.

 Hunting  of Ibex

Like Hangul, killing an Ibex was also allowed in Kashmir. The two-horned Ibex, having length of horns less than 32 inches, was not permitted to be killed. The hunter would, however, kill three grown-up Ibexes in a year. Ibexes were found in abundance in Baltistan, Gilgat, Ladakh and Skardu—all parts of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.  

After the enactment of Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019 by the Parliament, the Central Act, i.e. Wildlife Protection Act repealed the Jammu & Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978. The Department has now the increasing responsibility from the “Game Regulation’’ to the Wildlife Conservation.

N.B: For those interested to know more about this interesting story, contact us at: kashmirrechords@gmail.com or support@kashmir-rechords.com