Markhor, the largest wild goat in the world,is battling for survival in Jammu and Kashmir

Tags: Environment

Markhor, the largest wild goat in the world

Why in news?

• Markhor, the largest wild goat in the world,is battling for survival in Jammu and Kashmir and measures must be taken to protect its habitat to increase its population.

What is Markhor?

• The markhor is a wild goat species indigenous to the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia.
• It is found in the moist to semi-arid mountain tracts of Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.
• In J&K, Markhor’s population is found in Shopian, Banihal pass to Shamsbari area of the Kazinag Uri and Pir Panjal range in Poonch.

Important features of Markhor:

• It is known for its thick fur, flowing beard and corkscrew horns.
• It is considered to be an apt flagship species for catalysing conservation in these mountain tracks. 
• It is adapted to mountainous terrain, between 600 and 3,600 m elevation, with open woodlands, scrublands and light forests.
• It is a diurnal animal and is mainly active in the early morning and late afternoon. 

Conservation status

• IUCN : ‘Near Threatened’
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 : Schedule I
• CITES:Appendix I 

Threats: Its population has been affected mostly by unabated human intervention and biotic factors.