Biodiversity of Dachigam National Park

Because people reap a broad variety of direct and indirect benefits from biodiversity, it is imperative that we pay attention to it. The relevance of establishing the importance of use and non-use values of biological resources as well as the cost of neglecting them can be established through the valuation of biodiversity. Taking all of this into consideration, the purpose of this research is to determine the recreational value of the biodiversity found in national parks through the use of the journey cost approach. In order to accomplish this goal, the value of the economic benefits created by sustainable management of Dachigam National Park in Jammu and Kashmir (India) is assessed using data from 301 visitors who came from various regions of the country. The data are analysed with count data models, and the results indicate that the journey cost technique is adequate for the valuation of a variety of use-values created by environmental resources such as national parks.

Dachigam National Park

The Dachigam National Park is a stunning location that can be found in the Jammu and Kashmir state of Jammu and Kashmir, approximately 22 kilometres from the Srinagar District.

In the past, the park served as the Maharaja of Kashmir’s private hunting preserve exclusively for a while. In the beginning, Dachigam’s founding purpose was to guarantee that the city of Srinagar would have access to potable water. Upper Dachigam and Lower Dachigam are the two distinct locations that make up the Park. Both areas have topography, flora, and fauna that are significantly diverse from one another.

The park is well-known for the rare and varied species of birds and animals that it contains. The park is home to the world’s final Hangul population that is still genetically viable. This breed is closely related to the red deer that live in Europe, and it can be identified by the white patch on its rump and the magnificent spread of its antlers.

Leopards, common palm civets, jackals, red foxes, muskrats, black bears, brown bears, yellow-throated martens, and Himalayan weasels are just few of the animals that call this region home. There are over 145 different types of birds that can be viewed, including the Lammergeier as well as colourful species such as the Monal Pheasant and the Blue Magpie.

Flora

The slopes of the mountains are forested lower than the tree line. The majority of this coniferous forest is made up of plants with broad leaves. There are also alpine pastures, meadows, waterfalls, and scrub vegetation interspersed between them, as well as deep gullies that are referred to as Nars in the local language that run down the mountain face. Even during the most severe winters, the vast majority of the grasslands and meadows are carpeted in a rainbow of colourful flowers. Marsar lake, which is found high among its innards and is the source of the Dagwan river, is named after its location. This river goes all the way down to, and then past, the lower area of the park. There, it follows the only proper road in the park and is famous for the trout population that lives in its waters.

Fauna

The hangul, also known as the Kashmir stag, is the most well-known member of the animal kingdom in Dachigam. The Musk deer is one example of a different species:

• Leopard of the Snow

• Himalayan serow

• Kashmir grey langur

• Kashmir stag (hangul)

• Leopard cat (nt)

• Himalayan black bear (vu) Himalayan brown bear,etc

History

In the past, the park served as the Maharaja of Kashmir’s private hunting preserve exclusively for a while. Since 1910, the park has been designated as a protected area, initially falling under the supervision of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir and subsequently falling under the supervision of the relevant government agencies. In the beginning, Dachigam’s founding purpose was to guarantee that the city of Srinagar would have access to potable water.

After Jammu and Kashmir became a part of India, the State Government of Jammu and Kashmir was given the responsibility of managing Dachigam. Throughout its history, the administration of Dachigam has been handled variously by the State Fisheries Department, the Tawaza Entertainment Department, and the Forest Department. In the year 1951, it was designated as a wildlife sanctuary by the government.

Since 1978, it has been the responsibility of the Directorate of Game Preservation within the Forest Department. In 1982, the Directorate was elevated to the status of an independent department, and it is currently called the Department of Wildlife Protection.

The Dachigam wildlife sanctuary was officially designated as a national park in the year 1981. The park spans around 141 km2 in its entirety.

The name literally means ‘ten villages,’ and it is possible that it was chosen in remembrance of the 10 villages that were moved outside of the park and gave the area its current name, Dachigam, which literally means ‘ten villages.’

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dachigam National Park is renowned all over the globe for its population of Hangul and it is essential that the park be preserved in order to safeguard this critically endangered species. The park is also home to a stunning and one-of-a-kind natural ecosystem, which guests from all over the world are encouraged to take advantage of. In the beginning, Dachigam’s founding purpose was to guarantee that the city of Srinagar would have access to potable water. Since 1910, it has been a protected area, and in 1981 it was designated as a national park.