Alpine Musk Deer Conservation
The conservation of the Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in India faces challenges due to misidentification and management issues. A report by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in December 2024 revealed that zoos have confused this species with the Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster). This confusion has hampered breeding programmes aimed at protecting the endangered Alpine musk deer, which is native to the central and eastern Himalayas.
Species Misidentification
The Alpine musk deer and Himalayan musk deer share overlapping habitats. This sympatric distribution has caused zoos to mistakenly breed Himalayan musk deer instead of Alpine musk deer. The CZA report marks that the Musk Deer Breeding Centre near Chopta in Uttarakhand and the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling likely housed Alpine musk deer but did not initiate a specific breeding programme for them. Consequently, captive populations of Alpine musk deer in India remain unclear.
Population Status
The Alpine musk deer population has declined sharply. In the 1980s, about 1,000 individuals were estimated in the wild. Current numbers are unknown due to lack of recent surveys. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the species as ‘Critically Endangered’ in 2014. The absence of captive breeding success worsens the species’ survival outlook.
Central Zoo Authority
The CZA, established in 1992 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, oversees captive breeding of endangered species in India. It identifies species for breeding and assigns responsibility to zoos. In 2022, the Act was amended to include conservation breeding centres as zoos, recognising their role in ex-situ conservation. This change aims to improve regulatory oversight and conservation outcomes.
Financial Allocations and Transparency
Between 2006 and 2021, the government allocated nearly Rs 29 crore to zoos for breeding programmes. However, data on specific spending for Alpine musk deer conservation is unavailable. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated that financial management is mainly a state responsibility. This lack of transparency complicates assessment of programme effectiveness.
Future Directions
The CZA report advises no new species be added to breeding programmes until existing efforts improve. It also marks the need for India to develop its own threatened species list, as the global IUCN Red List does not reflect country-specific realities. Strengthening scientific management and clear identification of species are critical for successful conservation.
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