Baramulla: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG), a registered non-profit trust, has written to the Commissioner Secretary, Forests, flagging serious concerns over an alleged case of Markhor poaching and the possible misuse of community-based conservation mechanisms in the Kazinag National Park landscape of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
In its complaint, EPG said a video currently in circulation purportedly shows three individuals involved in the killing of a Markhor and the removal of its trophy, indicating a possible intent of illegal trade. The incident is reported to have occurred within or in close proximity to the Kazinag landscape, which hosts the only viable population of the Markhor in India.
The organisation pointed out that the Markhor (Capra falconeri) is listed as a Near Threatened species on the IUCN Red List and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, making hunting or trade in the species a serious criminal offence.
According to the complaint, the matter is particularly alarming as the individuals seen in the video are reportedly engaged as casual labourers with the Department of Wildlife Protection, Range Office Baramulla, and are also associated with the “Markhor Watchers” programme, a community-based conservation initiative supported by the Wildlife Trust of India.
EPG said the individuals, reportedly residents of the Limber–Babagail area, have participated in several conservation training and capacity-building programmes under the Markhor conservation framework. If the allegations are established, the group said, the incident would constitute a grave breach of trust, a conflict of interest, and a direct subversion of conservation objectives.
The complaint also expressed apprehension over a possible nexus between field-level staff and external conservation actors, alleging that poaching incidents may be facilitated or inadequately addressed, while being projected as conservation challenges to attract funding.
Highlighting the broader implications, EPG warned that such practices could undermine the credibility of community-based conservation models, erode public trust in the Wildlife Protection Department and its partner organisations, and cause irreversible damage to the fragile Markhor population of Kazinag.
The organisation has sought a time-bound independent inquiry into the incident, an immediate review of the roles and engagements of the individuals involved, scrutiny of the functioning of Markhor Watchers programmes and NGO partnerships in Kazinag, and strict action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, if violations are established. It has also called for safeguards to prevent the misuse of conservation platforms for illegal activities.
Copies of the complaint have been marked to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), the Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir, and the Wildlife Warden North for necessary action.
