'' Dachigam National Park, located 22 km from Srinagar, is the last home of the rare Hangul or Kashmir stag. A former game preserve of the erstwhile Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, the park has been a protected area since 1910.
Dachigam,meaning 'ten villages', was first given protection by the Maharaja of Kashmir in 1910, when he relocated these villages from the Dagwan valley and delineated it as a game preserve. The Park harbors the last viable population of the endangered Hangul or Kashmir Stag. Himalayan Black Bear are visible in the lower reaches from spring to autumn and hibernate in winter. Long-Tailed Marmots are very conspicuous during summer in the upper reaches while Mouse Hare are active throughout the year. Other wildlife includes Leopard, Common Palm Civet, Jackal, Red Fox, Yellow-throated Marten and Himalayan Weasel.
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Dachigam National Park enjoys a proximity to the beautiful city of Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir state. Its forests and picturesque landscape have always attracted tourists. The park is divided into two large sectors-the Lower and Upper Dachigam regions with altitudes of 1700 and 4300 meters, respectively. Two steep ridges enclose the parks parameters. The landscape at Dachigam varies from deep ravines, rocky ridges, steep slopes and alpine pastures.
Attractions in Pin Valley National Park
Apart from its unspoiled natural beauty, its most important wildlife remains the hangul (Kashmiri stag), an endangered species of red deer. Despite its substantial harshness, the winter season is the best time to view the hangul, when it gathers in the shelter of the lower valleys. The leopard, which is the only predatory animal in the area, has been rarely spotted. It is the same with the hard-to-pin-down snow leopard found in the higher altitudes. However, tourists with resilience, patience and a little luck have had the fortune of seeing these unique wild cats. Apart from the hangul and the two varieties of leopards, various other species like Himalayan black bear, musk deer, Himalayan marmot and species of wild goats like the makhor are found at Dachigam. Various exotic Himalayan birds, colorful pheasants like the crimson tagopan, monal pheasant, blood pheasant and koklass pheasant, golden eagles and bearded vultures (lammergeier) are also seen encircling the beautiful blue skies above Dachigam forest.
Best Time to Visit Dachigam National Park
The region remains cold throughout the year. The summer season (from May to August) is cool and very pleasant with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 14°C; however, winters (September and December) are particularly harsh when the temperature drops to a range of -2 to 4°C.
How to Reach there
Air: Srinagar Airport is located at a distance of 22km and hence is a good access point.
Rail: The nearest rail junction is Jammu at a distance of 200 kms away from Dachigam National Park.
Road: Dachigam can be accessed from Srinagar, travelling via state road from Shalimar Bagh and Harwan.