It is indeed heart-warming that the population of Hangul has recorded a significant increase. According to the 2025 census, the population of Hangul has reached 323. What makes it more significant is that the number has increased by more than 150 percent in 17 years. In 2008, the number of Hangul had dropped to 127. As per the 2021 census, the Hangul population in Kashmir was 263. Official figures reveal that the Hangul population was 237 in 2019, an uptick from the 2017 census. In 2017, the Hangul population was 214. Earlier, Hangul’s count was 175, 218, and 186 in 2009, 2011, and 2015, respectively. Hangul, cervus elaphus hanglu, was the state animal of erstwhile united Jammu and Kashmir. Found in the forest ridges of the Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary, the majestic animal is known for its reddish coat and two antlers. Hangul is a very shy and elusive animal that is very hard to spot in the woods. Scientists in 2017 achieved a rare feat when they fitted a satellite collar on the critically endangered `Hangul’ to understand their biology, behavior, and ecology in a bid to support the management interventions for the survival of the animal species. Population increase is a result of the conservation efforts launched by the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government over the years. Earlier in January this year, the Centre had declared 26 villages in Pulwama as Eco-sensitive Zones in a bid to save wild animals, including Hangul. Surrounding the Tral Wildlife Sanctuary, these 26 villages are spread over an area of 127.10 square kilometres. The government invoked the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to declare these villages as Eco-Sensitive Zones. Accordingly, a total prohibition was imposed on the construction of industries and commercial establishments, including cement factories, brick kilns, hotels, hydropower projects, wood-based industries, mining and quarrying activities, as well as the establishment of large-scale or commercial livestock and poultry farms. These activities are restricted to prevent pollution, safeguard the environment, and protect the Hangul and other wildlife species from potential harm. The Centre and LG administration deserve kudos for taking steps to protect Hangul. The animal is the pride of Kashmir and deserves to be conserved for posterity. The government needs to take more steps to consolidate the gains. There is always a lurking threat of leopards and other wild animals that prey on Hangul. There is a need for scientific intervention to protect the animal from wild beasts. The government should consult the wildlife experts for the protection of the prized species. Technology should be used to protect Hangul and other critically endangered animals. A captive breeding programme should be restarted to further increase the population and save the species from becoming extinct in Jammu and Kashmir.