Dachigam National Park
General Information | ||
Total Area | 140 sq. km. |
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Best time to visit | November - March. | |
Accommodation | Hotel & Restaurants. | |
Nearest Town | Srinagar (22 km). | |
How to get there | Train: To Barpeta Road (41 km), Road: Guwahati (176 km). | |
Species found | Leopard, Jackal, Hill fox, Yellow Throated marten and the wild boar, Himalayan griffon, Lammergeyers, Leopard Cat, Long tailed blue magpie. |
Dachigam is one
of India's most scenically beautiful wildlife reserves. It is
located 22 kilometres from Srinagar and forms almost half of the Dal
lake's catchment area. Since 10 villages were relocated outside the
boundaries of the reserves between 1910 and 1934, it, thus, got its
name Dachi-gam which means 'Ten Villages'.
Dachigam is spread over 140 square kilometres, spanning heights
between 5,500 to 14,000 feet above sea level. The two sectors of
Dachigam, lower and upper Dachigam incorporate a variety of
vegetation like riverain forest, grass land, broad leaved woodland,
coniferous forest, barerock faces and alpine pastures.
Dachigam is considered home to some of the unique Himalayan range of
flora and fauna. Primary amongst them is the hangul or Kashmir stag,
the most endangered species of red deer in the world.
During winters, the upper reaches of Dachigam become inaccessible to
the visitors and the temperature in lower Dachigam dips as low as
-10 degree celsius. Some birds and animals found during this time of
the year include the cinnamon sparrows, black and yellow grosbeak,
black bulbuls, monal pheasant and the Himalayan grey langur. The
main predator in the park is the leopard, and other scavengers which
also feed on the prey of the leopard, are the jackal, hill fox,
yellow throated marten and the wild boar. Himalayan griffon,
lammergeier, leopard cat, long tailed blue magpie, jungle cat, and
Himalayan weasel can also be sighted during this period.
With the advent of spring and summer, the Himalayan black bear makes
its appearance after hibernating in the rocks for the winter period.
Birdlife also becomes active and the birds which appear are the
golden orioles, pygmy owlets, Himalayan pied woodpeckers, warblers,
babblers, buntings and laughing thrushes.
In the upper reaches, during the short summer, new varieties of
birds like red-browed finch, Himalayan ruby throat and wag tails
also make an appearance. The parks in higher altitudes still harbour
a few Himalyan brown bear.