Musk Deer Conservation in India

Current Affairs National

Posted by newadmin on 2025-04-25 08:49:53 |

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Recent reports have brought attention to the ineffective conservation efforts for musk deer in India. Although the musk deer is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, conservation strategies remain inadequate. One of the most concerning issues is the complete absence of active breeding programmes in Indian zoos. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has confirmed that no captive musk deer currently exist in the country, reflecting a significant gap in conservation planning and implementation.

India's efforts to conserve musk deer date back to 1965, with the aim of developing a stable captive population that could eventually be reintroduced into the wild. These initiatives also intended to harvest musk for medicinal purposes. Breeding centres were initially established in places such as Kufri and Almora. However, these programmes failed to achieve their intended goals. By the 1980s, the musk deer population was estimated at around 1,000 individuals, but the numbers have since declined without any effective monitoring or follow-up.

The latest CZA report paints a grim picture of the current scenario. There is a complete lack of updated population data for alpine musk deer in the wild, and the species is now considered critically endangered. One of the significant problems affecting conservation efforts is the misidentification of species, particularly between the alpine musk deer and the Himalayan musk deer. This has led to confusion in breeding programmes and hindered the development of focused conservation plans.

Compared to India’s limited progress, countries like China have made significant strides in musk deer conservation. They have established successful captive breeding programmes and have even developed non-lethal methods for musk extraction. These efforts showcase a model that India could adopt in order to enhance its own conservation practices.

Another critical challenge lies in the absence of a genetically pure founder stock for captive breeding. Misidentification and poor record-keeping have further weakened efforts to maintain genetic diversity. The CZA's findings suggest that many breeding programmes for endangered species in India either lack proper execution or have not been initiated at all, casting doubt on the long-term sustainability of these species.

Meanwhile, similar issues are being faced in the conservation of other endangered animals in India. The wild water buffalo, for instance, is the focus of a new breeding centre in Chhattisgarh, but experts have expressed concern over potential genetic mixing. On a more optimistic note, the pygmy hog conservation programme in Assam has seen some success, with more than a hundred animals reintroduced into their natural habitats since 2008.

Experts stress the urgent need for increased investment in conservation-related research. Advanced genomic studies and accurate demographic tracking are essential tools in planning effective strategies. However, bureaucratic barriers continue to limit access to critical data. The recent establishment of a specialized laboratory for endangered species in Hyderabad offers a ray of hope, but much more needs to be done in terms of funding, coordination, and scientific research to ensure that India’s wildlife conservation efforts are both robust and effective.

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