Dachigam National Park

Dachigam National Park is the northernmost reserve of India which is located 22 km from Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) and highest elevation reserve. Dachigam was named after the ten villages that were relocated to make way for this park. The park is divided into two sections known as the Upper and Lower Dachigam sectors and it is best known for being the home of the Hangul deer. Since 1910, this park has been a protected area, initially under the supervision of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir and then under the relevant government authorities and in 1981, it was upgraded and designated as a National Park. 

General Information

Dachigam National park is home to a number of lakes, rivers, flowery meadows, waterfalls, and dense coniferous forests. Its appearance changes with the change of season. In the winter, temperature goes below zero degree celsius and the park is covered in a white snow, while in the spring, the park’s main attraction is its blossoming flowers and fruit trees. In the summer, temperature reaches to 14 degree celsius, leading to melting of snow, revealing waterfalls and streams. As autumn approaches, the leaves of the trees change to vibrant hues of red, gold, yellow colour. Throughout the year, Dachigam National Park remains unpolluted and colourful. The Dagwan River, which flows from Marsar Lake, is a well-known  fishing spot.

Topography

Zabarwan Range of the Western Himalayas is home to Dachigam National Park. Its topography ranges from 5,500 to 14,000 ft above sea level. Because of the wide range of terrain, the park is divided into uneven sections, with terrain ranging from gently sloping grasslands to sharp cliffs. A portion of the park lies above the treeline, where its beauty is enhanced by rocky mountains and crevices.

Climate

The temperature in Dachigam National Park remains moderate throughout the year. Summers in Dachigam are short lived and snowfall lasts the entire winter season. Temperatures begin to rise in April and continue to rise until June. Light showers are common in July and August. In the summer, the maximum and minimum temperature ranges from 14  to 8 degrees Celsius respectively. In the winter, the maximum temperature rises to only 4 degrees Celsius, with a minimum temperature of about -2 degrees Celsius. The month of December marks the beginning of snowfall. 

Flora 

Dachigam National park contains approximately 500 species of herbs, 50 species of trees, and approximately 20 species of shrubs. This park is lush with flowers, greenery, meadows, and grasslands, apart from the winter season when it is covered with snow. The scenic beauty portrayed by blue poppy flowers is a sight to behold. Pear, Apple, Chestnut, Walnut, Willow, Oak, Poplar, Birch, Chinar, Pine, Peach, Apricot, and Elm trees adorn the park. Some of the main tree species are pinus griffithii, abies pindrow, morus alba, ulmus wallichiana, betula utilis, salix spp, populus spp, prunus armeniaca, quercus robur, aesculus indica etc. Prominent shrub species found here are Berberis spp, desmodium tiliaefolia, indigofera heterantha, parrotiopsis jacquemontiana etc.

Fauna

Dachigam national park is famous for the Hangul also known as Kashmir Stag. They can be easily spotted in the winter, when they congregate in the lower valleys. Some of the important mammal species found in Dachigam national park are Kashmiri Stag, Musk Deer, leopards, Himalayan Grey Langurs, Leopard Cats, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Weasel, Yellow-throated Martens, Jungle Cat, Long Tailed Marmots, Yellow-throated Marten, Jungle Cat, Himalayan Brown Bear, The Otter, Himalayan Fox, Serow etc. There are also numerous rare birds such as Black Bulbuls, Cinnamon sparrows, Himalayan Monals, Kashmir Flycatchers, and colourful pheasants such as the crimson tragopan, iridescent monal pheasant, blood pheasant, and koklass pheasant.

Conclusion

Dachigam national park is located in the Himalayan mountain range and is adorned with natural beauty. This park is teeming with beautiful animals and fruit bearing trees. This is a place where one can experience beautiful scenery beyond imagination.The Park is well-known for its diverse wildlife and bird species and is home to the world’s last viable Hangul population. Large part of the park is covered with coniferous forests and the mountainside is densely forested with wild trees. It is home to more than 500 species of herbs, 50 species of trees, and approximately 20 species of shrubs. It was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1951 and in 1981, it was declared as a National Park.