The Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu & Kashmir Government, came into existence in the year 1978 to implement the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978 providing protection to the wildlife flora and fauna and management of Protected Areas in the state.
The Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir evolved from erstwhile J&K Game Preservation Department, created under the Game Preservation Act, 1942 to protect and preserve the “Game” in the erstwhile J&K State. The “Game” included few species of wild animals and birds considered important from hunting point of view as a sport. Prior to enactment of Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978, few areas called “Game Sanctuaries”, “Game Reserves” and “Reserve Areas” were regulated under a set of various rules to provide protection to few species of wild animals and birds considered important from shooting and hunting point of view.
Since the creation of the Department of Wildlife Protection in 1982, the Jammu & Kashmir Government has taken a series of measures for conservation of forests and the Wildlife therein. The State Government has notified about 4861.28 sq km as Protected Area Network comprising of 4 National Parks, 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 30 Conservation / Wetland Reserves. Various management activities undertaken in these areas include habitat improvement, plantation, soil and water conservation, protection from fire, anti poaching activities, development of infrastructure for front line staff, providing supplemental feed to rescued and captive wild animals etc.
The rare and endangered species found in J&K include Kashmir stag (hangul), Snow Leopard, Markhor, Musk deer, brown bear and Western tragopan etc. The Department is making all possible efforts for conservation and propagation of these species their habitat.
Over a period of time, Wildlife Department has focused on management and conservation of wildlife and its habitat on modern lines in consonance with prevalent legislations.
The J&K Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978 was amended in 2002 on the lines of the National Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
After the enactment of Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019 by the Parliament, the Jammu & Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978 was repealed was the Central Act, i.e; Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 became applicable to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Now, the legal provisions for Wildlife Protection in Jammu & Kashmir are same to those in the other parts of the Country.
This Department has also the responsibility to manage Captive and injured animals in Zoos and Rescue Centers respectively.
With increasing responsibility of the department from the game regulation to the wildlife conservation, man animal conflict mitigation, research and education, checking illegal trade in wildlife products and hunting / poaching and accelerated management of the protected areas including endangered species, functions of the department have multiplied considerably over a period of time.
The Department of Wildlife Protection J&K is making efforts to come at par with national and international scientific standards as per the recommendations of National Board of Wildlife for management and protection of wildlife.
The main objectives and functions of the Department are enumerated as below:
Management & habitat improvement of Protected Areas;
Management, restocking, reallocation of rare and endangered species;
Anti-poaching and anti-smuggling drives;
Law enforcement and wildlife crime control;
Wildlife management plan formulation and implementation thereof;
Conservation breeding, zoos & zoological parks;
Wildlife health care and monitoring, rescue, rehabilitation and release of wild animals;
Man-wild animal conflict resolution;
Eco-tourism promotion;
People and stake holders participation for protection and preservation of wildlife;
Awareness & nature education;
Research and training programmes;
State animal : Hangul State Tree : Chinar State Bird : Kalij Pheasant
