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 Dachigam National Park is situated about 22kms North-East of
Srinagar. The Dachigam National Park in Kashmir is not just another park it has within it a
special unknown factor, in fact it exudes an unusual aura which is neither
definable nor describable. It also forms a catchment area for fresh water supply
to the Kashmir Valley and is situated adjacent to Dal Lake. It served as the
private hunting grounds of Maharaja Gulab Singh. Dachigam National Park 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.
 The best time to be in Dachigam
National Park is when spring has just arrived
with its pastel colors and blossoms of apricots, peaches and plums. This is the
time when life starts afresh after drab and dreary winter. Animals can be seen
enjoying this much awaited change. The Pheasants along
with Snow Partridge are seen investigating nooks and
corners or chasing each other and their renewed energy expended in proud joy.
The Gray Langur can be seen on tree. By now the
Black Himalyan Bear has also woken up from winter
hibernation and can be seen in later spring devouring wild fruits. Dachigam park has
a sizable population of Leopards, extremely shy
creatures they live in heavily wooded areas. Within the park at Laribal is a
Trout farm, this fish is propagated here for sale or
released in streams throughout the valley to supplement their number. As spring
moves upwards so do the animals to the upper regions of Dachigam which is even
more beautiful. This being the play ground of the Hangul, here we also have the
Musk Deer famous all over the world for its musk.
 Kashmir has its importance
as a Tourist resort and is also a unique place for winter Migratory Water birds, which include Duck, Geese and
Swans. There are about 151 species and 96 sub-species which makes a family of
birds called Antidae.
Out of the species the most common water birds which visit us during winter
months are Mallard, Common Teal, Pintail, redheaded Pochard, Greyleg Goose,
Widegeon, Shoveller and Gregney Teal. These water fowls make excellent table
birds, and are as such sought by sportsmen.
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There are five main Wet Land Reserves of Kashmir.
HOKARSAR Fauna: The area harbours over 50 birds
species, majority of which are winter settlers e.g. Grey Heron, Little Egret,
Night Heron, Little Bittern, Malland, Common Teal, Pintail, Pochard, Moorhen,
Bar-headed Goose, Garney, Shoveler and Gadwall.
MIRGUND Fauna: The area harbours over 50 bird’s
species, majority of which are winter settlers e.g. Grey Heron, Little Egret,
Night Heron, Little Bittern, Malland, Common Teal, Pintail, Pochard, Moorhen,
Bar-headed Goose, Garney, Shoveler and Gadwall.
HYGAM Fauna: The area harbours over 50 birds species,
majority of which are winter settlers e.g. Grey Heron, Little Egret, Night
Heron, Little Bittern, Malland, Common Teal, Pintail, Pochard, Moorhen,
Bar-headed Goose, Garney, Shoveler and Gadwall.
CHATLUM PAMPORE Fauna: The area harbours over 50 birds
species, majority of which are winter settlers e.g. Grey Heron, Little Egret,
Night Heron, Little Bittern, Malland, Common Tern, Pintail, Pochard, Moorhen,
Bar-headed Goose, Garney and Shoveler, Gadwall.
KRANCHOO Fauna: The area harbours over 50 birds
species, majority of which are winter settlers e.g. Grey Heron, Little Egret,
Night Heron, Little Bittern, Malland, Common Teal, Pintail, Pochard, Moorhen,
Bar-headed Goose, Garney, Shovelera and Gadwall.
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