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DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK (INDIA)
Dachigam the name
synonymous with Kashmiri stag or Hangul is situated about 21km from Srinagar.
It used to be the private hunting grounds of Maharaja Gulab Singh. It also
forms a catchment area for fresh water supply to the Kashmir valley and is
situated adjacent to Dal Lake. Dachigam 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.
General Information..
Altitude : 5,500 to 14,000 feet
Area : 140 sq.kms
Important Fauna : Hangul, Cinnamom Sparrows, Grosbeak, Black Bulbuls,
Pheasant, Himalyan Gray Langur, Golden Orioles, Pygmy Owlets, Himalyan Pied
Woodpeckers, Warblers, Babblers
Best Season : May - Aug for upper Dachigam and Sep - December for
lower Dachigam
The best time to visit Dachigam is during spring. At this time animals could
be seen enjoying life. The Pheasants along with Snow Patridge are seen
chasing each other with renewed energy. The Gray Langur could be seen on
tree tops enjoying new shoots. During winters, the upper reaches of Dachigam
become inaccessible to the visitors and the temperature in lower Dachigam
dips as low as -10 degree celsius. Dachigam has a sizeable population of
Black Himalayan Bear and Snow Leopards. Extremely wild creatures live in the
heavily wooded areas. Here also Musk Deer are found which is famous all over
the world for its musk. Other wild
animals foound in the valley.
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