Accompanied by his wife Salma Ansari, Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and others, Ansari was apprised of the measures being taken by the government for the conservation of Hangul and other fauna at the park, an official spokesman said.
"The Vice President took keen interest in the presentation and observed that it was very informative," the spokesman said.
Through a power point presentation, Divisional Forest Officer-cum-Wildlife Warden Rashid Naqash briefed the Vice President about the rich biodiversity of the park, with particular reference to the measures for conservation and propagation of Hangul.
The park, which spreads over 141 square kilometres, houses over 50 species of trees, 20 species of shrubs and 500 species of herbs.
As far as fauna is concerned, besides Hangul, the dominant species of the Dachigam National Park are Himalayan black bear, common leopard, Himalayan langur, among others. The park also has over 150 species of birds.
As per the last census of 2011, the number of Hangul recorded in the Park was 218. Presently a long-term conservation plan is being implemented with the support of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The Central Zoo Authority is also supporting the conservation programme of this critically endangered species and, under the Species Recovery Programme, a captive breeding centre will be commissioned at Shikargah in Tral.
Similarly, a Habitat Research Study has been initiated in collaboration with SKUAST-Kashmir for satellite collaring of Hangul in order to understand their movement patterns, both in and outside the Dachigam National Park.
In addition, massive improvement in conducting census programme of Hangul has been undertaken whereby satellite telemetry and field cameras of high definition are being placed in the park.
An important research programme has also been launched to study the relic population of Hangul outside Dachigam National Park in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, Naqash said.
