Dachigam, declared as a national park in 1951, is situated about 22 km from
Srinagar, in
Jammu and Kashmir. Spread over an area of 141 sq km, the park is home to a large variety of flora and fauna.
Dachigam National Park is divided in to two sectors - upper and lower Dachigam, and its and altitudes varies between 1,700 to 4,300 m. These two sectors incorporates a large variety of vegetation including splendid forest, grass land, broad leaved woodland, bare rock faces and alpine pastures.
The park is home to the endangered Hangul or the Kashmir stag, the only species of red deer found in India. Other major animal species found here include
Himalayan black bear, ibex, leopard and musk deer. The park is home to over 150 species of birds including griffon vulture,
golden eagle, grey heron,
golden oriole, paradise flycatcher, kestrel and
blood pheasant.
May to August is the best time to visit Upper Dachigam while September to December is appropriate to visit Lower Dachigam.
Jammu Tawi Railway Station is the nearest railhead. The nearest airport is at Srinagar.
