Project Info
Project Description
The Kashmir Markhor Recovery Project aims to improve the population status of the Pirpanjal Markhor (Capra falconeri), a species once thought to be extinct in Jammu and Kashmir. The team seeks to achieve this objective by implementing focused activities across the landscape, including the protection of existing markhor habitats and exploration of potential critical habitats, the assessment of the effects of anthropogenic pressure and livestock grazing on markhor and its habitat. The project falls under WTI’s Big Idea: Species Recovery.
Field team conducting Markhor surveys in Kazinag National Park as part of ongoing conservation and monitoring efforts | Photo © Muneeb Nazir/WTI
The Markhor is the largest wild goat in the world, and in India, this subspecies is found only in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The species is listed in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and categorised as ‘Near Threatened’ under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In 2004, WTI, along with the Department of Wildlife Protection, J&K, the Environment and Ecology cell and the Indian Army undertook extensive surveys within the historical distribution range of the markhor and established a scientific baseline, replacing previous speculative estimates. Subsequent surveys revealed only two markhor populations, i.e. Kazinag and Pir Panjal, totalling around 250 individuals. The surveys also highlighted the threats this critically low population species was facing, ranging from loss of habitats due to encroachment, illegal grazing inside Protected Areas (PAs), linear infrastructure development, anthropogenic pressures, lack of awareness, lack of manpower for protection, hunting for bush meat, and lack of stringent enforcement of the law.
The Pir Panjal Markhor | Photo © Tanveer Akbar
Over the past few years, WTI has been monitoring different sites and working closely with local communities and herders to conserve the markhor and its habitat. The project team has conducted occupancy surveys, assessed the impact of livestock grazing on markhor habitat, held consultations with migratory herders and locals to reduce pressure on markhor habitat and linked locals and migratory herders with different welfare schemes of the government and other agencies. Additionally, informer networks were developed to control the poaching of this species.
Participatory management involving local communities is central to the project’s conservation strategy. Community members are actively engaged as volunteer Markhor Watchers, monitoring and protecting Critical Markhor Habitats (CMHs) while fostering a sense of stewardship. This is complemented by ongoing skill development and livelihood diversification efforts supported by government schemes, reducing dependence on CMHs. Local youth from neighbouring communities have been trained as Nature Guides and are now actively engaged in guiding visitors and promoting responsible nature-based tourism within Kazinag National Park.
These initiatives have not only strengthened on-ground conservation efforts but have also generated sustainable livelihood opportunities and encouraged greater community involvement in safeguarding the region’s unique biodiversity. Structured surveys, focus group discussions, and ethnographic methods are being used to guide and assess these community-based initiatives. Essential field gear and equipment have also been provided to Markhor Watchers and frontline staff to enhance the effectiveness of field patrolling and monitoring activities.
Apart from these activities, the project lists a number of other urgent interventions to secure the Markhor population in Kashmir. The project builds upon earlier conservation successes that led to the declaration of a National Park dedicated to the markhor, the extension of Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, and the notification of Tattakuti Wildlife Sanctuary for the species. However, further interventions are required to reduce grazing pressure, strengthen protection measures, and curb wildlife crime to mitigate threats to markhor habitats and secure the long-term recovery of the species in Jammu and Kashmir.
PARTNERS: Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu & Kashmir
PROJECT LEAD: Dr. Tanushree Srivastava
