NORTH INDIA

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Spread over 140 sq km on the
slopes of the Zabarwan range,
Dachigam National Park is
home to the nearly-extinct
hangul or Kashmiri stag, the
state animal of Jammu and
Kashmir.
Notified as a National Park in
1981, it is just 18 kms from the
heart of Srinagar, and barely a
kilometre from Harwan Garden,
known for its Buddhist ruins.
The park has altitudes ranging
from 1,676-4,267 m, divided
into the more barren Upper

Dachigam and the lush

Lower Dachigam.
The rich green grassland of
Lower Dachigam, do!ed with
bright blue poppies during the
summer, is also home to the
Himalayan grey langur, snow
leopard, Himalayan black bear,
ibex, and birds such as the
Kashmir flycatcher and monal,
among others. There are over
500 species of medicinal herbs
in the park.
BELOW: Himalayan

grey langur

At a glance
District: Srinagar
Distance: Srinagar town (22 kms)
Nearest Railhead: Jammu Tawi
(310 kms)
Nearest Airport: Srinagar
(32 kms)
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Best time to visit:
Upper Dachigam: May-August
Lower Dachigam: Sept-Dec
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Entry fee: Free
Timings: 5.30 am-6.30 pm

Closed from: January-April

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Permit: Available at the Park
entrance and the Wildlife
Wardens office in Srinagar.
Call: (0194) 75411
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Major fauna: Hangul, Himalayan
grey langur, snow leopard,
Himalayan black bear, musk deer
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Where to stay: Srinagar

* Cameras are only allowed in Lower Dachigam

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