DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK

Dachigam the name synonymous with Kashmiri stag or Hangul is situated about 21km from Srinagar. It used to be the private hunting grounds of Maharaja Gulab Singh. It also forms a catchment area for fresh water supply to the Kashmir valley and is situated adjacent to Dal Lake. Dachigam is divided into two areas the lower and upper Dachigam. The lower Dachigam which is a deep gorge or a valley formed by convergence of two mountains slopes and the Dagwan river divides it into two, the river originates in upper Dachigam or Dagwan valley.

General Information

Altitude : 5,500 to 14,000 feet

Area : 140 sq.kms

Important Fauna : Hangul, Cinnamom Sparrows, Grosbeak, Black Bulbuls, Pheasant, Himalyan Gray Langur, Golden Orioles, Pygmy Owlets, Himalyan Pied Woodpeckers, Warblers, Babblers

Best Season : May - Aug for upper Dachigam and Sep - December for lower Dachigam

The best time to visit Dachigam is during spring. At this time animals could be seen enjoying life. The Pheasants along with Snow Patridge are seen chasing each other with renewed energy. The Gray Langur could be seen on tree tops enjoying new shoots. 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. Dachigam has a sizeable population of Black Himalayan Bear and Snow Leopards. Extremely wild creatures live in the heavily wooded areas. Here also Musk Deer are found which is famous all over the world for its musk. Other wild animals foound in the valley.