Explanation
- A
Kerala
Option (a) claims Kerala is the habitat of the Hangul deer. Kerala is situated in southern India and is well known for species like the Nilgiri tahr, making this choice incorrect.
- B
Assam
Option (b) suggests Assam as the home of the Hangul deer. Assam is famous for the one-horned rhinoceros and pygmy hog in Kaziranga, which rules out this location for the Hangul.
- C
Rajasthan
Option (c) states that Rajasthan is where the Hangul deer is found. Rajasthan is characterized by arid zones and is famous for the Indian gazelle or Chinkara, rendering this option false.
- D
Jammu and Kashmir
Option (d) asserts that the Hangul deer, also known as the Kashmir stag, is found in Jammu and Kashmir. This critically endangered subspecies of the elk is exclusively native to the dense riverine forests of the high valleys of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly within the Dachigam National Park, thereby making this option the accurate and officially designated key for the correct geographical distribution.
Summary. Official key is (d) Jammu and Kashmir. The question asks for the natural habitat of the critically endangered Hangul deer. While other regions like Kerala, Assam, and Rajasthan host diverse endemic fauna, they do not support populations of this specific subspecies. Dachigam National Park in Jammu and Kashmir remains its primary stronghold. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.