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Wildlife Sanctuaries in Srinagar

Srinagar district of Jammu & Kashmir is a beautiful place. Apart from being naturally beautiful it serves as the home for different wildlife species. There are many reserved sanctuaries that provides home to many flora and fauna. Due to the rapid growth of industrialization wildlife species are decreasing day by day hence we need some reserved areas for protecting these endangered species. Srinagar hosts many wildlife sanctuaries which help in protecting several animals. Apart from protecting wildlife these sanctuaries and reserve parks serve as a common tourist destination spot.

Wildlife Sanctuaries in Srinagar

Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary

This is one of the most famous Wildlife Sanctuary in Srinagar. Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary is also considered to be one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in India. Located 22 km from Srinagar Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary is an important and famous wildlife sanctuary of India. The entire area of this Wildlife Sanctuary is 141sqkm. It is believed that there were ten villages which stood in that area and have been re formatted due to the wildlife reserve and hence the name of the sanctuary comes from that. Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary was established in the year 1910 under the rule of Maharaja Pratap Singh.

About Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary

The interesting part about this Wildlife Sanctuary is that it is located at an altitude varying from 5000 to 14000 feet above sea level. The major part of the Wildlife Sanctuary is covered with coniferous forest. The flora of the Wildlife Sanctuary mainly includes meadows, grasslands, colourful flowers and many more. The natural spring flowing through the Wildlife Sanctuary attracts tourists. Among fauna, the most endangered species that is available in Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary is Kashmir Stag or Hangul. Other species which can be seen in this Wildlife Sanctuary are Musk Deer, Leopard, Himalayan brown bear, Hill Fox, Jungle Cat and many more. Birds that can be seen here are Chough, Wagtail, Koklass Pheasant, Babbler, Redstart, Wallcreeper, Himalayan rubythroat and many more.

About Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary


Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary is protected since 1910, previously it was under the protection of the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir and later it was handed over to government. This place was declared as National Park in the year 1981. Dachigam means 10 villages so this place is being formed by relocating 10 villages together.

History of Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary

The ruler of Jammu and Kashmir Maharaja Hari Singh accepted the importance of the place. So he used this place as a medium of drinking water for Srinagar. Meanwhile he realized this place as valuable hunting grounds. So they protected this area in 1910 and later it handed over to government. After independence it became a sanctuary and then it upgraded as National Park. It was used as a summer move away for Mughal rulers. During the British ruling in India the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir never allowed to give land to Britishers and so they introduce the houseboats in Kashmir.

Topography of Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary

Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the western Himalayas. The deviation in altitude is huge which ranges from 5500ft to 14000 ft above sea level. This is the reason the sanctuary is naturally divided into non physical boundaries. This place has its special own beauty with exposed rock mountains and fissures.

Flora and Fauna of Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary

Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary is divided into two parts one is Upper Dachigam and Lower Dachigam. Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary provides a three dimensional representation which provides a complete treat to our senses. Dachigam provides a diversified and beautiful landscape of unspoiled Flora and Fauna. We can find heavily wooded line of trees below the mountainsides. Most of which are coniferous trees these are the species with broad leaf. Mostly the grasslands and meadows are enclosed with vibrantly colored flowers. Placed high among its inside part is Marsar Lake which flows down the Dagwan river.  This river flows all way down till the lower region where it flows along the proper path in the park itself. It is popular for its population of different species of fishes.

Inside the Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary


You might encounter with the large groups of Himalayan Langur who feeds on barks of trees. In autumn the orange- brown Chinar are visible and you might also hear rutting calls of hangul stags. In spring the hangul becomes friends with langurs who feed on trees so that they can drop half eaten items for hangul. In cold season cinnamon sparrows and black and yellow grosbeaks comes here.

The Dachigam park is famous for the hangul or we can say Kashmir stag and the other some species found here are:
  • Musk deer
  • Himalayan serow
  • Himalayan grey langur
  • Leopard cat
  • Himalayan bear
  • Jackal
  • Hill fox
  • Himalayan weasel
  • Jungle cat
  • Yellow-throated marten
  • Long-tailed marmot
  • Cinnamon sparrow
  • Black bulbul
  • Himalayan monal
  • Woodpecker
  • Babbler
  • Redstart
  • Golden oriole
  • Wagtail
  • Orange bullfinch
  • Kashmir flycatcher
  • Streaked laughingthrush
  • Himalayan rubythroat
  • Black-and-yellow grosbeak
  • Himalayan griffon vulture
  • Bearded vulture

Best Time to Visit Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary

The best time when you can pay a visit to the Dachigam Sanctuary is  March to August and from September to December.
    

Timings for visiting Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary

 The Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary remains open every day from 5:30 am and closes at 6:30 pm.

Accommodation inside Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary

The Dachigam wildlife sanctuary has very few jungle resorts, but there are few forest rest houses and tourist lodges located here which are run and managed by the forest department.

Topography of Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary

How to Reach Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary

By Air: The nearest airport is Srinagar which is around 32 km from the park
Srinagar airport is 32 km from the park.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is Jammu, at a distance of 315 Km.
Jammu (315 km.) is the most convenient railhead.

By Road: Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary is 22 km away from Srinagar which is easily accessible

Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary

This is another famous wildlife sanctuary in Srinagar. This reserve covers an area of 10sqkm. Located in village Jasrota 70km away from Srinagar Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the banks of River Ujh. The exciting part of visiting this sanctuary is mammal viewing and bird viewing. Different species available in this wildlife sanctuary are Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Rhesus Monkey, Lantana Camara, Dodonea Visacosa and many more.

Jasrota Wildlife Santuary


You must carry a pair of your trekking shoes in order to visit this sanctuary. There are some trekking routes available from this sanctuary which can be a great tourist attraction. So once you are visiting Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary then you can pay a visit to these spots or to the nearby village named Jasrota.

Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary

Nandini Village is located 28 km from Srinagar. Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in this village. The numerous numbers of Pheasants available in this sanctuary is noticeable. Apart from Pheasants there are nearly 8 mammal species available in this area. Garal, Grey Langur, Wild Boar, Peafowl, Indian Mynah, Chakor, etc are present in Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary. Once you visit this sanctuary it is advisable that you visit the nearby village Nandini. You may find some interesting thing in this village.

Ram Nagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Ram Nagar Wildlife Sanctuary is located just 6 km away from Srinagar. The overall area occupied by Ram Nagar Wildlife Sanctuary is 32sqkm. Pheasants are a common species present in this sanctuary. Nilgai, barking Deer, Wild Boar, Golden Oriole, and Jungle Crow are the common type of species found in this wildlife sanctuary of Srinagar. Visiting this wildlife sanctuary in Srinagar is a great option during your trip to Srinagar. You will really enjoy being a part of this beautiful sanctuary.

Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary

Surinsar and Mansar are the two lakes that surround this wildlife sanctuary on each side. The name of the wildlife sanctuary comes from them. The entire area occupied by Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary is nearly 98sqkm. The major attraction of these wildlife sanctuaries are the different types of birds available here.

Birds inside the Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary

It is said that there are nearly 15 species of birds that can be seen in Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary. Blue Rock Pigeon, Rufus Turtle Dove, Green Pigeon, Grey Partridge are the famous species that are available in this sanctuary.

Wildlife Sanctuary nearby Srinagar

Apart from the above mentioned wildlife sanctuaries, there are some wildlife sanctuaries those are nearby Srinagar. They are:

Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve

This reserve is located in Gulmarg which is 48 km away from Srinagar. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is also famous for protecting the endangered species. This reserve is famous for the coniferous forests and the different types of green plants present here. Cedrus Deodara, Pinus Griffithii, Abies Pindrow and many more are some of the important species available in this reserve.

Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve


Several endangered animals like Musk Deer, Serow, Leopard, Brown Bear, and Red Fox are present here. Among birds Snow Cock, Blue Rock Pigeon, Jungle Crow and many more can be seen in Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve. Bus services are available from Srinagar which can take you to Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve.

Khistwar High Altitude National Park

This national park was located in Khistwar region of Jammu & Kashmir which is nearly 248 km away from Srinagar. Scattered over 400 sqkm this national park is located at a higher altitude as the name suggests. The view of the entire region from such an altitude is amazing. This national park preserves nearly 15 species. Musk Deer, Hangul, Langur, Leopard are some of the animals which can be seen in this national park. Visitors from different parts of the world pay a visit to this national park.

Overa Wildlife Sanctuary

Overa Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Pahalgam which is nearly 76 km away from Srinagar. This sanctuary comprise of an entire area of 33 sqkms. The varieties of Pheasants present in this sanctuary are remarkable. The mammals available in this sanctuary undergo serious threat of extinction. The mammals available include Leopard, Serow, Musk Deer, Leopard Cat, Langur, etc.

You can know about all the wildlife sanctuaries present in Srinagar through our article. In case you have any other suggestions you can surely write back to us.

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