Located in the Zabarwan mountain range of Western Himalayas, Dachigam National Park is located mere 22 kilometers from Srinagar, the capital of union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The national park’s name that covers a core area of 141 km2 literally means “ten villages”, a reference to the ten villages that were relocated for its formation in 1910 and has been a protected area ever since. The Park with 500 sq.kms of buffer zone, it is in two different areas namely Upper and Lower Dachigam, was built on the orders of Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir princely state. Lower Dachigam, in the western side, covers a third of the parks’ area and is easily accessible. Upper Dachigam on the other hand on the eastern side extends to the higher mountainous terrain that is a day’s trek away from the nearest road and is not easily accessible specially during winter season.
Maharaja Hari Singh had planted several tree species preferred by wild animals in the area, such as oak, horse chestnut to supplement shortage of food they faced in winter. The Maharaja had also introduced wild boars into the area, who survived till early 1990s but have now died out. It was initially created to ensure clean drinking water supply for city of Srinagar. The Park owned and maintained by the forest department, occupies almost half of the catchment area that feeds the famous Dal Lake ibn Srinagar, and it still plays a major role is ensuring clean drinking water reaches the inhabitants of Srinagar.
It was declared as wildlife sanctuary in 1951 and upgraded to a National Park in 1981. The Park with an average height ranging 5500 ft to 14000 ft above sea level, and terrain includes gently sloping grasslands to sharp rocky outcrops and cliffs. The Park is famous for its unique and diverse wildlife and bird species. The Dachigam park covered in coniferous forest is interspersed alpine pastures, meadows, waterfalls and scrub vegetation. Located high in its interiors at a height of 4,000 mtrs is the Marsar lake, which is the source of the Dagwan river that is known for its trout fish population.
Once a hunting grounds for the Jammu and Kashmir royal family, Dachigam is known worldwide for hangul, or the Kashmir stag and contains the last viable Hangul population in the world. The hangul, is the only species of red deer in India and is best known for its distinct white rump patch and impressive spread of antlers. These Hanguls can be spotted during winter season, easily when they hangout in the lower valleys. The Park is also known for various other animal species like musk deer, leopard, himalayan serow, kashmir grey langur, leopard cat, himalayan black bear, himalayan brown bear, jackal, hill fox, markhor, himalayan weasel, yellow-throated marten, jungle cat, long-tailed marmot, and otter.
A birdwatcher’s paradise with over 145 different bird species present, the national park is famed for birds like cinnamon sparrow, black bulbul, himalayan monal, golden oriole, minivet, pygmy owlet, woodpecker, and babbler. Among the other species of birds seen at the national park are redstart, wagtail, koklass pheasant, chough, orange bullfinch, kashmir flycatcher, Tytler’s leaf warbler, streaked laughingthrush, himalayan rubythroat, wallcreeper, cinnamon sparrows, black bulbuls, colourful pheasants, and black-and-yellow grosbeak. Dachigam is also home to numerous rare birds like himalayan griffon vulture, bearded vulture, golden eagle, crimson tragopan, lammergeier, iridescent monal pheasant, blood pheasant, red-billed blue magpie and titmouse.
The national park is full of vegetation including 500 species of herbs, 50 types of trees and 20 types of shrubs. These include apricot, walnut, chestnut, oak, willow, poplar, wild cherry, pear, plum, peach, apple, chinar, birch, pine and elm. Most of the park is known for its lush greenery and covered with beautiful flowers, except in the time of winters, when the park gets covered in snow. Tourist who wants to visit the national park, can go inside Dachigam between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm everyday only on foot. The park has accommodation in the form of two rest houses in lower Dachigam owned by the Forest Department. Dachigam is open to tourist throughout the year, but the best time to visit Dachigam is from April to October. In lower Dachigam tourist can visit till December.
Nearest airport is Srinagar airport, while nearest railway station is in Jammu about 310 Km away. There is only one road that runs about 10 km from Srinagar outskirts to reach Numbal Beat in Lower Dachigam. Higher Dachigam areas is accessible only by foot. Its scenic beauty makes Dachigam one of the best places to visit for wildlife lovers near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir union territory. Sangargulu Valley or Valley of Flowers, in the upper Dachigam is an ideal trekking destination as well Tourist require a permit issued by local wildlife department office to visit Dachigam National Park, with entry fee costing INR 25 per individual. One of the most popular tourist destinations, a trip to Kashmir is incomplete without a visit to Dachigam National Park.
