Dachigam National Park, located close to Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir, is set amidst stunning Himalayan mountains. The Park is blessed with beautiful landscape ranging from grasslands and pine forests, to cliffs and rocky outcrops, and bare rock-faced mountain tops lying high above the tree line.
Dachigam,meaning 'ten villages', was first given protection by the Maharaja of Kashmir in 1910, when he relocated these villages from the Dagwan valley and delineated it as a game preserve.
The Park harbors the last viable population of the endangered Hangul or Kashmir Stag. Himalayan Black Bear are visible in the lower reaches from spring to autumn and hibernate in winter. Long-Tailed Marmots are very conspicuous during summer in the upper reaches while Mouse Hare are active throughout the year. Other wildlife includes Leopard, Common Palm Civet, Jackal, Red Fox, Yellow-throated Marten and Himalayan Weasel.
Over 145 different bird species including the Lammergeier, colourful species like Monal Pheasant and Blue Magpie are seen.
Just 21kms north-east of Srinagar, and beyond the Moghul Gardens of Nishat and Shalimar, Dachigam is best considered as two parts. Lower Dachigam is more accessible to a visitor while Upper Dachigam is a day's trek. Good time to visit is in September-October which is also the Hangul rutting season.
History
The area of what is now Dachigam National Park was the exclusive hunting ground and protected area of the Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir. Among other issues, one of the mandate of the protected area was to ensure clean supply of water for Srinagar. Following India's Independence, the area came under the control of the Forest Department, and in 1951 it was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary.
In 1981, the area was declared a National Park after the successful relocation of 10 villages that had previously been located within the Park's borders. The name Dachigam actually means "Ten Villages" - and as such the Park was named in honour of the villages that relocated.