Dachigam National Park

Dachigam National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Sarband water body with Dachigam National Park in the background.
Location	Jammu and Kashmir, India
Nearest city	Srinagar
Coordinates	34°8′14″N 75°2′16″E
Area	141 km2 (54 sq mi)
Max. elevation	4267 m (14,000 ft)
Min. elevation	1676 m (5,499 ft)
Established	1981

Dachigam National Park is located 22 kilometers from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. It covers an area of 141 km². The name of the park literally stands for "ten villages" which could be in memory of the ten villages that were relocated for its formation. These ten villages were living in this region before the World War I the beginning of the early 20th century. The main gate entrance is very close to the New Theed general bus stand on the either side of Darul Uloom Kousaria.

The park has been a protected area since 1910, first under the care of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir and later under the observation of the concerned government authorities. It was initially created to ensure clean drinking water supply for the city of Srinagar. It was upgraded and declared a National Park in the year 1981.

Topography

Dachigam National park is located in the Zabarwan Range of the western Himalayas. The variation in altitude is vast, ranging from 5500 ft to 14000 ft above mean sea level. Due to this vast variation, the park is demarcated into an uneven region. The terrain ranges from gently sloping grasslands to sharp rocky outcrops and cliffs. 321

Flora

The mountain sides below the tree line are wooded. Most of this coniferous forest consists of broad leaf species. Interspersed between these are alpine pastures, meadows, waterfalls and scrub vegetation with deep gullies, locally known as Nars, running down the mountain face. Most of the grasslands and meadows, except in the harsh winters, are covered with coloured flowers. Located high among its interiors is the Marsar lake from which flows the Dagwan river. This river flows all the way down to, and past, the lower region where it runs along the only proper road in the park and is also known for its fish population, the trout.

Fauna

The main animal species that Dachigam is known for is the hangul, or the Kashmir stag. Other species include:

• Musk deer (roose kat)
• Leopard
• Himalayan serow
• Kashmir grey langur
• Kashmir stag (hangul)
• Leopard cat (nt)
• Himalayan black bear (vu)
• Himalayan brown bear
• Jackal
• Hill fox
• Himalayan weasel
• Yellow-throated marten
• Jungle cat
• Long-tailed marmot
• Otter

Birds

• Cinnamon sparrow
• Black bulbul
• Himalayan monal
• Golden oriole
• Minivet
• Pygmy owlet
• Woodpecker
• Babbler
• Redstart
• Wagtail
• Koklass pheasant
• Chough
• Orange bullfinch
• Kashmir flycatcher
• Tytler's leaf warbler
• Streaked laughingthrush
• Himalayan rubythroat
• Wallcreeper
• Black-and-yellow grosbeak
• Himalayan griffon vulture
• Bearded vulture
• Red-billed blue magpie
• Titmouse

See also

• Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary
• Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary
• Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary