Dachigam
Located very close to Srinagar (22km), Dachigam National park with
its splendid forests and magnificent scenery is easily accessible. Dachigam
is a wildlife sanctuary which is home to the endangered HANGUL
species of the Deer in the country. decigram is also host to other
wil dlife of the state via Black/ Brown Bear, Musk Deer, leopards
and migratory birds. There is a Trout fish farm also in Dachigam.
It is big natural reserve which requires permissions from the
Wildlife Authorities for exploration. The dense forests of
Dachigam offer a brilliant view along with a Glacier fed rivulet
flowing right through the middle.
L The two sectors of the park -Upper and Lower Dachigam are spread
over an area of 141 sq. km. And altitudes vary between 1700 and
4300 meters. Two steep ridges enclose the Park with its great
topographical variety - deep ravines, rocky outcrops, steep wooded
slopes and rolling alpine pastures.
Tumbling down from the Masrar Lake (4300m), up in the high ranges,
the Dachigam River winds through Lower Dachigam.
General Information
Approach:
|
Airport |
Srinagar (32
kms.) |
|
Railhead
|
Jammu (315
kms.) |
|
Road
|
Srinagar (21
kms.) |
Area : |
141 sq. kms. |
Altitudinal
Range : |
1,700 to
4,000 metres M.S.L. |
Flora :
|
There are
over fifty species of trees, twenty of shrubs and five hundred
species of herbs. |
Fauna :
|
There are
twenty mammal species which include hangul,Himalayan brown
bear,Himalayan black bear, langur,Himalayan marmot,leopard
etc. |
Avifauna :
|
There are
over 150 species of birds.The principal species are
monal,koklas,bearded vulture, griffon vulture,golden
eagle,grey heron,starling,golden oriole,paradise
flycatcher,western yellow-billed blue magpie,kestrel,peregrine
falcon,black bulbul, etc. |
Visit :
|
Upper
Dachigam Mammal/Bird viewing
Lower Dachigam Mammal viewing
Bird viewing |
May to
August.
September to March.
March to May. |
Dress :
|
Summer :
Trekking shoes,raincoat and light clothing.
Winter : Trekking shoes,heavy woolens and waterproof
windcheater.
Spring : Trekking shoes,raincoat and light woollens. |
The Park is the
habitat of the endangered Hangeul or the Kashmir stag - the
only species of red deer to be found in India. Winter is the
best time to view the Hangeul, when they congregate in the
shelter of the lower valleys.
Other inhabitants include the Himalayan black bear, species
o f
wild goat like the markhor and ibex and varieties of exotic
Himalayan birds. Colourful pheasants include the crimson
tragopan, the iridescent monal pheasant with its glittering
plumage, the blood pheasant and the koklass pheasant.
The golden eagle and the bearded vulture or lammergeyer are
seen circling the brilliant blue skies. The leopard, which
is the only predator in this paradise, is rarely seen as
also the elusive snow leopard, which is found in the higher
altitudes.
Other animals include the rare musk deer and the Himalayan
marmot. A metallic road takes visitors from Srinagar into
Lower Dachigam. Upper Dachigam can only be explored on foot.
General Information
Best Time to Visit: May - August, Upper Dachigam & September
to December for Lower Dachigam
Nearest Town: Srinagar (22 Km)
How to Get There
Air: Srinagar (22 Km)
Rail: Jammu.
|