SRINAGAR, Sep 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday pledged that his government will take prompt action on the recommendations emerging from the Second International Conference on Hangul and other Threatened Ungulates Conservation (2IHUC-25), aiming for measurable progress in the populations of Hangul and Markhor before the next conference.
Speaking at the valedictory session of the three-day event at SKUAST-Kashmir’s Shalimar campus, the Chief Minister, who also serves as Pro-Chancellor of the university, assured delegates that the State Government would treat the conference outcomes with utmost seriousness.
“On behalf of my colleagues in government, I assure you that the recommendations will be implemented at the earliest. My hope is that when we meet next, the population of Hangul and Markhor will have grown significantly,” Abdullah said.
Recalling the words of eminent conservationist MK Ranjitsinh, he emphasized that conservation is closely tied to human well-being. “Protecting Hangul, Markhor, or any threatened species is essentially about protecting life and the delicate ecological balance we depend upon,” he said.
Expressing personal regret, Abdullah noted that despite living near Dachigam National Park, he had never seen a Hangul in the wild. “We cannot allow our children and grandchildren to know these species only through photographs in books, like the dodo or woolly mammoth,” he warned.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for strong synergy between academic institutions and government agencies to ensure practical conservation outcomes. “Unless research translates into action, we risk losing magnificent animals like the Hangul. Thriving species mean thriving ecosystems—and thriving ecosystems mean thriving humankind,” he said.
Urging against bureaucratic delays, Abdullah added, “These species will not wait for files to move from one department to another. The findings of this conference must be acted upon urgently.”
The three-day conference saw participation from over 200 delegates, including wildlife experts, conservationists, and biologists from the US, UK, Canada, Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia, who shared research and strategies for conserving Hangul, Markhor, and other threatened Himalayan ungulates.
During the event, the Chief Minister released a Vision Document titled ‘Institute of Mountain Wildlife Sciences’ and distributed awards and appreciation certificates to participants. Other speakers included Forest Minister Javed Ahmed Rana, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Prof. Nazir A. Ganie, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Suresh Gupta, and international expert Dr. Gonzalez.
Concluding his address, Omar Abdullah reiterated his commitment, stating, “That is my hope, that is my belief, and I am sure that if we approach it the right way—as we saw success with Project Tiger and encouraging signs with Hangul and Markhor—that success will continue to grow.”
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