Markhor: The Elusive Wild Goat

A male markhor strayed into Noorkhah village, Baramulla, near the Kazinag National Park in north Kashmir, close to the Line of Control.

About the Markhor (Capra falconeri)

• Markhor is considered the world’s largest wild goat, and is a highly endangered species.
• Habitat :Found in dense pine and birch forests of Kashmir and other mountain regions.

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• Distribution: In India, primarily found in Jammu and Kashmir, including areas such as Shopian, Banihal Pass, Shamsbari, Kazinag Uri, and Pir Panjal range in Poonch.
  • Global distribution includes Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.
• Conservation Status:
  • Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in India.
  • Schedule I of the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978.
  • Classified as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List.
  • Appendix I to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora since 1992.
• Conservation Efforts: 
• • Kashmir Markhor Recovery Project by the Wildlife Trust of India: Focuses on protecting markhor habitats and mitigating human activity and livestock grazing.
    • Positive results observed in improving markhor population.
  • Protected Areas: Expansion of the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary and creation of the Tattakuti Sanctuary by the J & K government  to secure their habitats.
• Significance and Recognition: The UN General Assembly declared 24 May as the International Day of the Markhor starting in 2024, highlighting its ecological and cultural importance.

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