Himalayan biodiversity in the Himalayan region is not only an environmental concern but also a question of human survival and ecological balance. The recently concluded Second International Conference on Hangul and Other Threatened Ungulates Conservation (2IHUC-25) at SKUAST-Kashmir once again underlined the need to align political commitments, scientific research, and governance into a coherent action plan. While such global platforms create awareness and urgency, their true value lies in whether recommendations translate into tangible ground outcomes. For too long, species such as the Hangul and Markhor have suffered due to bureaucratic inertia, fragmented responses, and misplaced priorities.
The Hangul, Kashmir’s iconic red deer, once numbered in the thousands but now survives in only a few hundred. Years of habitat loss, poaching, and unchecked encroachments have driven it to the brink. The Markhor, a symbol of Himalayan grandeur, faces a similar plight, squeezed by human pressures and shrinking habitats. While academic research has repeatedly flagged these threats, implementation of findings has often been delayed or diluted. The conference provided renewed pledges of synergy between academia and government, alongside the release of a vision document, but the real test lies in execution. Conservation is not about wildlife alone; it is about human well-being. As conservationist MK Ranjit Singh rightly emphasized at the event, saving endangered species also means protecting ecosystems that regulate water, enrich soils, and buffer against climate change. The disappearance of species signals deep ecological imbalance, which inevitably impacts livelihoods, food security, and disaster resilience. In Jammu and Kashmir, already burdened with socio-political and environmental stresses, biodiversity protection must be seen as a direct investment in human survival and dignity. The proposed Institute of Mountain Wildlife Sciences, announced in the conference vision document, has the potential to become a game changer. By bridging the gap between research and action, it can serve as a hub for conservation planning, monitoring, and field-based initiatives. However, its effectiveness will depend on meaningful integration with local communities, forest departments, and practitioners. Community participation remains critical, since people at the grassroots are both custodians of traditional ecological knowledge and the first to face the impact of conservation policies. But conservation cannot wait for bureaucracy. The Hangul, Markhor, and other species do not have the luxury of time. Each delay pushes them closer to extinction. Immediate steps are required: protecting and restoring habitats, strictly enforcing anti-poaching laws, regulating land use in sensitive zones, and embedding ecological priorities into all development projects. If infrastructure expansion continues unchecked in fragile landscapes, no conservation plan can succeed. The presence of over 200 experts, scientists, and policymakers at the event reflected international solidarity. Yet, success cannot be measured by participation numbers or academic papers alone. It must be judged by outcomes, whether the population of threatened species increases, habitats are restored, and human-wildlife coexistence improves. Conferences must serve as catalysts for policy mandates, not just forums for discussion. The legacy of 2IHUC-25 must live in the forests of Dachigam, the ridges of Pir Panjal, and the villages that share space with wildlife. It should not remain buried in records or ceremonial pledges. If acted upon, it can reshape conservation in the Himalayas, turning rhetoric into results. The Jammu and Kashmir government now bears the responsibility of proving its commitment. It must set up a dedicated conservation task force, backed by adequate resources and empowered to act. Timelines for habitat restoration, anti-poaching enforcement, and curbing land-use violations must be defined and strictly followed. The proposed Institute of Mountain Wildlife Sciences should be given funding and autonomy to drive long-term strategies while also coordinating closely with communities and experts. Above all, biodiversity must be woven into the fabric of governance and development planning, ensuring ecological preservation is never treated as secondary.
Conservation in the Himalayas is ultimately about safeguarding both wildlife and humanity. If the commitments made at SKUAST-Kashmir are pursued with sincerity and urgency, Jammu and Kashmir can become a model of ecological stewardship where threatened species reclaim safety and human societies flourish in balance with nature. The time for promises has passed, what is needed now is decisive action.