Kashmir governor expresses concern over shrinking glaciers, forest cover

Expressing concern over shrinking of glaciers, forest cover and water bodies and near extinction of many wildlife species, in Jammu and Kashmir, governor NN Vohra today called for united efforts to safeguard ecology and flora and fauna in the state.

"Jammu and Kashmir has a fragile environment and environmentalists, conservationists and experts should come together for preserving, conserving and sustaining the environment, ecology, flora and  fauna and water bodies in the state," Vohra said, addressing the valedictory session of the three-day international Conference on conservation of Hangul (Kashmiri stag) an endangered deer species.

Referring to Hangul, Vohra, observed that heavy human interference led to decrease in its numbers and now Hangul is among the endangered species, like Markhor, Himalayan Bear and Musk Deer.

Vohra said along with the statutory and punitive provisions, greater awareness needs to be created among the people at large in regard to Hangul conservation.