Musk deer, popularly known as 'kasturi mrug', is vanishing from its geographical epicenter of the Himalayas.
About four thousand adult male deer are killed annually due to their high demand in the international market.

Zoologists estimate the number of musk deer, which was placed in the vulnerable category in 1986, at 30,000.
International Society of Naturalists (INSONA) General Secretary G M Oza said that musk deer (moschus chrysogaster) is distributed in the Himalayan region. Geographically, it formerly existed throughout the entire Himalayan upper forest region and was found in the scrub level between 2,200m and 4,300m, extending from Pakistan through Northern India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet.
Dr Oza said that traditionally the musk is used for medicine purpose, though a very little musk is used for the same in the global era. It has been estimated that more than 80 artificial musks figure in the global market.
He said that the ayurvedic and unani systems of medicine rate musk as a stimulant and sedative as well. However, the scientific studies reveal that the actions of musk have a negligible therapeutic value. Its demand has been related to medicinal use as a stimulant for impotency and the treatment of bronchitis, pneumonia and typhoid.
While patients with epilepsy, hysteria, asthma and nervous irregularities have sought musk as a sedative. It is said that musk is used in Japan to prepare medicine for heart patients.

He regretted the current situation and added that poaching and smuggling of musk are still uncontrolled in the country. It is reportedly increasing in Arunachal Pradesh where large number of pods has been seized in the last decade. The exit points from India also include major cities like Delhi, Calcutta, Amritsar and Mumbai.

Bureau Report